Deployable Electronic Warfare

Photo by Jake Melampy

A Joint Deployable Electronic Warfare Range, or JDEWR, was set up at Misawa AB, Japan, during the week of 12-16 August 2013 to provide US 35th Fighter Wing F-16 pilots with tactical-level training. The JDEWR simulates enemy ground threat defenses and was used for bilateral and joint missions for United States Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and US Navy aircraft stationed at the base. The mission of the 35th FW is suppression of enemy air defenses, or SEAD, and focuses largely on the neutralization of enemy surface-to-air missile sites. In the past, Misawa F-16 pilots have had to fly to Red Flag exercises at Eielson AFB, Alaska, to get accurate training for their SEAD mission.