VFA-37’s F-18 Super Hornets will fly in collaborative exercises with the 142nd Wing’s F-15
Eagles during the two-weeks of DACT. This specified training provides realistic combat
scenarios for pilots to hone advanced aerial tactics that may be used against potential adversaries.
The exercise is an essential and required component to ensure military readiness in support of the
base’s national and state missions.
According to Lt. Col. Bradley Young, 123rd Fighter Squadron Director of Operations, DACT is
mutually beneficial to the Navy and the Oregon Air National Guard.
“Training with the Super Hornets from VFA-37 affords us the opportunity to execute in a multi-
service and multi-aircraft environment that we normally do not see unless we go to an [remote]
exercise. It also affords us an opportunity to see how they execute and train and help us refine
our integration between the two services,” said Bradley.
Flights will depart from and land at the Portland International Airport, and training will be
conducted in approved airspace off the Oregon coastline and in Eastern Oregon. In an effort to
foster coordination with the community and the Port of Portland, flights will launch daily after 8
a.m. and will conclude before 4 p.m.
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About the 142nd Wing:
The Portland Air National Guard Base employs 1,500 Airmen who provide an economic impact
of nearly $500 million to the region. The 142nd Wing defends our homeland with F-15 Eagle
fighter jets, guarding the Pacific Northwest skies from northern California to the Canadian
border through their Aerospace Control Alert mission as part of Air Combat Command and the
North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Their mission is to provide
unequaled, mission-ready units to sustain combat aerospace superiority and peacetime tasking
any time, any place in service to our nation, state and community.