Personnel from the 428th Fighter Squadron prepare aircraft for flights Oct. 8, 2012, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The “Buccaneers” as they are known are currently participating in the RED FLAG-Alaska exercise and are from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton)
ME1 Sunesh Chandra, 428th Fighter Squadron crew chief, opens up the canopy of an F-15SG in preparation for the aircrew’s arrival Oct. 8, 2012, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Crews waited until the last possible minute to open up the canopies due to the relentless downpour. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton)
From left, U.S. Air Force Col. Bruce Smith, 366th Fighter Wing vice-commander, and Republic of Singapore Capt. H. Lau, 428th Fighter Squadron weapons system officer, greet ME2 Gloria Wong, 428th FS aircraft engineer, and ME1 Caili Weng, 428th FS crew chief, before their flight Oct. 8, 2012, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Ground crews worked most of the day despite constant rain throughout the start of the RED FLAG-Alaska exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton)
U.S. Air Force Col. Bruce Smith, 366th Fighter Wing vice-commander, adjusts a strap inside the cockpit of an F-15SG Oct. 8, 2012, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Aircrews worked quickly in order to shut the canopy hood as quickly as possible due to the wet conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton)
ME1 Caili Weng, 428th Fighter Squadron crew chief, stays down while an F-15SG moves past him and down the runway Oct. 8, 2012, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Weng is a member of the 428th FS and is in Alaska participating in the RED FLAG-Alaska exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton)
by Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
10/10/2012 - EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- The multinational exercise, RED FLAG-Alaska, began Oct.8, 2012, at Eielson AFB, Alaska, despite cold temperature and constant rain.
RF-A, a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored, Joint National Training Capability accredited exercise, is a collection of tactical air combat exercises designed to replicate the stresses that warfighters must face during their first 10 combat sorties.
The 428th Fighter Squadron from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, began the exercise on a federal holiday and amid constant rainfall.
"Working in the rain didn't bother me or my crew at all," said ME1 Caili Weng, 428th FS crew chief. "We just slow down and work more carefully to make sure the job gets done. Sometimes the weather can cause various problems but it's our job to fix them and get the jet in the air."
Ground crews allowed multiple aircrews an opportunity to fly in the inclement conditions by working meticulously throughout the day.
"I love rain even if it's cold like it is here," said Weng.
