TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – In a contested environment, air superiority depends on more than advanced technology. It also requires the training and experience to use that technology effectively — a focus for the Ohio National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing during exercise Checkered Flag and the Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP) in May.

“We’re doing two mission-sets,” said Lt. Col. Jon Farragher, 180FW Maintenance Squadron commander and fighter pilot. “In the morning, we’re working what’s called WSEP, it’s the weapons systems evaluation program, so we’re actually shooting live missiles at a variety of targets in different roles. In the evenings, we’re doing a large air-to-air, large force exercise to train, not only with different branches of the military, but also with different platforms and learning how we can best utilize that in the next fight.”

More than 70 aircraft participated in Checkered Flag, including F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-35 Lightning IIs, F-22 Raptors and Navy F-18s, with 14 14 units across the force participating. The number of units and aircraft involved created a unique training experience.

“A good day for us training at home, we’re probably practicing 4 jets against 4,” said Maj. Alex Johnson, a fighter pilot assigned to the 180th Fighter Wing. “Here, we get to take a small piece of the puzzle that we practice every day and we get to insert that into the ‘big war.’ That way, we can see how our small piece really fits into the larger battlespace.”

Beyond the sheer scale of the exercise, Checkered Flag provided the battlespace to practice integration between 4th- and 5th-generation assets.

“With the advanced threats that are being produced by our adversaries, we need now more than ever to work together, because it’s not a 5th-gen only thing, and it’s not a 4th-gen only thing,” said Johnson. “There are capabilities each of us provide that are unique, and when we meld those together and we’re able to mash forces together to really bring the full might of the Department of War, then it’s something really special; and it’s necessary if you want to keep going and keep winning.”

While Checkered Flag provided the opportunity for large-force integration in the air, WSEP provided a unique evaluation and training environment for Airmen on the ground.

“It’s not every day that we shoot off missiles, rockets and shoot the gun,” said Senior Airman Owen Jardine, an aircraft armament systems specialist assigned to the 180th Fighter Wing. “That’s what the weapons shop is about, aircraft armament systems, so being able to see these systems operate at their fullest capacity and succeed; I think it’s the coolest thing.”

During typical training, units use inert munitions that are not physically fired from the aircraft but are simulated to maximize safety and minimize costs. Jardine said using live missiles helps put his role into perspective.

“Being able to actually see the product itself sheds a new light on exactly why we do what we do in the shop, why we do what we do when we’re performing operational checks out on the flightline,” said Jardine. “To load a missile and have that missile not come back, to load a rocket and have it not come back, and you know that it’s going to hit its target; not only are we succeeding in our mission, but we see the whole grand picture.”

During the exercise, the 180th Fighter Wing flew 197 sorties and logged more than 260 flight hours. Johnson credited the unit’s ability to generate aircraft and fly so many hours to its maintenance personnel.

“We in Toledo do a fantastic job at maintaining the F-16,” said Johnson. “Not only can we launch more aircraft than a lot of other airframes can per day, but the more flights you have, the more training you get. The more training you get, the more lethal you are.”

A unit’s ability to project airpower is limited by its ability to maintain and repair its aircraft, making it equally important to test and challenge maintenance personnel.

“As the maintenance squadron commander, it’s a prideful thing to be out here watching our guys do what they do,” said Farragher. “We just came off of a week-long Combat Readiness Inspection, so we kicked their butts for a whole week, brought them down here and now we’re doing it again for another two to three weeks.”

While back-to-back, high-intensity exercises are difficult, Jardine said they provide valuable experience and showcase the Air Force’s ability to project airpower in short time frames.

“I certainly had my doubts before,” said Jardine. “To be able to pick up, being at home station for a week, and then hurry up, pack for a day, getting down here and the mission is still 100% successful, I think that’s certainly something that I didn’t think I could do. Now, after seeing this and seeing how quickly we can actually get up and get going, I 100% believe that.”