Fifth-gen fighters from UK, US & Australia take part in huge exercise

YouTube / Forces News

Pinnacle of Air Combat

Armed with F-35 Lightning II jets, the pilots from 617 Squadron was seen taking part in America’s largest training exercise of 2023. The exercise, which has been described as “the pinnacle of air combat in the West”, was performed in Alaska as Exercise Northern Edge.

Norther Edge is a trilateral exercise that is attended by the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. During these exercises, squadrons from the three countries are expected to fly their F-35A/Cs, F-16s, and F-18s alongside the F-22 Raptor.

According to Wing Commander Stew Campbell of 617 Squadron, the huge collection of assets participating in the exercise have allowed them to train at the highest level.

Moreover, the available air space that Alaska can offer – which is over twice the length in UK – enables 5th-generation aircraft to be tested to their max potential.