MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- With a detailed preflight checkup and no room for error, two jets sit patiently at the combat aircraft loading area checking their systems anticipating take off. Pilots wait nervously as a live missile sits on the wing of the jet where proper execution is not always guaranteed. Soon after they pierced into the afternoon sky the roar from the engine could be heard.
This was the scenario for eight pilots from the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 332 Moonlighters that flew two training exercises Dec. 9 and 10. They participated in a rare realistic training exercise involving live missiles and flares.
"In their first three-year tour, pilots are supposed to fire a missile in a training exercise," said Capt. Chris Armes, unit information officer. "We did an air-to-air training exercise involving heat seeking missiles and radar missiles."
Armes also added that air-to-ground exercises are done regularly so when we get a chance to shoot missiles it is very exciting.
"Air-to-air exercises only happen approximately one time a year," commented Capt. Scott Edwards, intelligence officer in charge. "So when we can do real training it benefits everyone involved."
In order for an air-to-air training exercise to occur, various preparations are necessary. First you have to make sure that the range is clear. That means that no aircraft will be flying through the range and that no boats are in the water underneath the range.
The way the exercise worked was simple, explained Edwards. One Hornet had an AIM-9 (heat seeking missile), while the second jet had a flare. Both jets then flew out to the range. Once at the range, the first jet dropped the flare and evacuated. The armed jet then locked onto the flare and fired.
"Anytime you are shooting live weapons you tend to be nervous because there is always a chance for something to go wrong. So you have to be extra careful," said Edwards.
"The way the missile fired was very surprising. It accelerates at such a rapid rate once the trigger is pulled. And the way it just blasts off the rail of the jet is very impressive that we have this technology," Edwards commented.
This training was very beneficial to all the pilots involved by getting their required training out of the way and giving them a chance to know what it is like to shoot live missiles while flying.
VMFA 332-is here as a part of the Unit Deployment program. The unit is home based in Beaufort, S.C.