UNCLASSIFIED
POINT PAPER
ON
EXERCISE NORTHERN EDGE
PURPOSE. To provide an overview of Exercise NORTHERN EDGE (NE).
BACKGROUND. NE is a CJCS Exercise, shared by USPACOM and USNORTHCOM on an alternating year basis.
DISCUSSION.
. USPACOM's version of NE is a field training exercise (FTX) focused on
JTF-519 modules and transformation initiatives.
. Modules are air-centric, focused on Air & Space Operations Center
employment, Defensive Counter Air, Counter Surface/Maritime
Interdiction, and Personnel Recovery .
. Combined with Exercises TERMINAL FURY (TF) and alternating
execution years with VALIANT SHIELD (VS) , I'JE is part of the family of
exercises supporting CJTF-519 training objectives.
. HQ ALCOM serves as the USPACOM Executive Agent and manages all
planning and execution in coordination with the respective component commands.
. Historically, NE exercise training audiences involve a Navy Carrier
Strike Group and over 6,500 participants from the Air Force, Army, Marine,
Navy, Special Operations Forces, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserves.
. USNORTHCOM's version of NE is focused on homeland defense and homeland security roles and missions. NE is combined with the State of Alaska's capstone event, Exercise ALASKA SHIELD (AKS) and executed as AKS/NE.
. AKS/NE is the premier FTX for Alaska's homeland security stakeholders,
with federal, state, local and private organization participation.
. JTF-AK is a designated training audience and shares all planning and
execution responsibilities with the combatant command.
. The Joint Warfighting Center (JWFC), Suffolk, VA, provides planning
and exercise control support. The JWFC provides tools and processes to
develop exercise scenarios, inject "events" into the exercise and provide
overall exercise control.
. USPACOM NE will change from even fiscal years to odd fiscal years to
realign with TF's new summer execution cycle. To accomplish this, NE08
and NE09 will be USPACOM exercises and NE10 will be a SNORTHCOM exercise.
After 2010 USPACOM will execute the odd years and USNORTHCOM will execute the even years.
RECOMMENDATION. None. For information only.
UNCLASSIFIED