Draken International Supports Marine Corps Exercise Winter Fury
LAKELAND, FL - DECEMBER 26, 2017 - Draken International spent two weeks providing Adversary Air (ADAIR) support during exercise WINTER FURY at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar for the 3rd Marine Air Wing from November 27th to December 7th. The exercise was a high-end combat training event for 3d Marine Air Wing units, exercising full-scale Offensive Anti-Air Warfare, Air Interdiction, and Active Air Defense mission sets against a complex and advanced threat. As the industry’s leading provider of ADAIR training services, Draken International showcased 4th Generation capabilities utilizing a 4-ship of L-159 Honey Badgers that employ the highly capable GRIFO-L pulse Doppler radar.
Draken partnered with BAE Flight Systems, who provided advanced electronic attack and flew alongside the Marine Adversary F-5 aircraft of VMFT-401 and FA-18 Super Hornets of VX-9. Together the Red Air organizations delivered large force packages that challenged the F-35B, FA-18, and AV-8B squadrons of 3d Marine Air Wing. Draken flew a total of 46 day and night sorties supporting the exercise and provided mission planners, mission commanders, range training officers, and controllers to assist in the adversary presentations.
According to Jeff Scott, Draken’s Director of Marine Operations, “Draken provides the professional threat replication with advanced radars and top notch pilots, not just metal in the sky, but a more threat representative adversary.” Draken is currently the only contract air provider approved to support the USAF Fighter Weapons School, and has supported 5th Generation training more than any other contract air provider, including F-22, F-35A, and F-35B aircraft from the United States Air Force, USMC and the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
Scott, a former USMC weapons school instructor, and F-35B pilot stated, “Draken uses former weapons school graduates and instructors from MAWTS-1, Top Gun, and USAF Fighter Weapons School as well as former and current Aggressor pilots from all of the services.” Draken is also currently the only contract air provider authorized to conduct unlimited maneuvering against the Department of Defense. “Draken flies the full spectrum of adversary support, including initial training units like the USAF F-35A training squadrons at Luke Air Force Base all the way up to USAF Fighter Weapons School, Red Flag events, and exercises like Winter Fury where radar and night capability are needed to replicate higher end threats. It was a pleasure supporting Marines and great to be a part of such an outstanding exercise,” said Scott.
About Draken International
Draken International is the world’s largest operator of ex-military aircraft. The company is based out of Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, FL. The organization sets a new standard in airborne adversary support, flight training, threat simulation, electronic warfare support, aerial refueling, research, testing, as well as other missions uniquely suited to their fleet of aircraft. With over 100 tactical fighter aircraft incorporating modern 4th generation capabilities, the company is uniquely positioned to answer the growing global demand for commercial air services. Draken employs world class, military trained fighter pilots including USAF Weapons School Instructors, Fighter Weapons School Graduates, TOP GUN Instructors, Air Liaison Officers, and FAC-A Instructors. For additional information, visit http://www.drakenintl.com.
