WESTERN AIR DEFENSE SECTOR, McCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. – Six F-16 Fighting Falcons will stage at McChord Air Force Base for an exercise June 17-19. The event is designed to exercise emergency action procedures throughout the Western Air Defense Sector's area of responsibility and to practice strategic planning among WADS, North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Northern Command and Canada Command.
"Exercise Amalgam/Falcon Dart is a valuable opportunity for personnel in these organizations to fine-tune plans and procedures that ultimately help us to better defend North American aerospace and the American and Canadian homelands," said Air Force Col. James Cobb, NORAD Vice Director of Operations .
The fighter aircraft from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, will engage in air sovereignty and counter-air operations jointly with Canada during the exercise. Other participating aircraft include four B-52s from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., and Barksdale Air Force Base, La. An E-3 Sentry (Airborne Warning and Control System, or AWACS) from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., will also stage out of McChord for the exercise.
The flight scenarios will be conducted away from the general population. However, aircraft noise from McChord could increase as the fighters are "scrambled" for takeoffs at unspecified times as part of the exercise scenario.