Alaska’s airspace is a little more crowded this month as almost 200 military aircraft take part in a training exercise.
All four branches of military will make up the nearly 6,000 members to take part in Northern Edge 2015, which includes naval exercises in the Gulf of Alaska and some ground troops.
Those exercises are to test readiness of the nation’s troops according to the U.S. Pacific Command and officials say it is not in response to increased tensions with any other nation.
Northern Edge is typically held every two years however this is the first exercise since 2011.
The government sequestration forced the event’s cancellation in 2013.
*Picture courtesy of JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Navy aggressor pilot Cmdr. Elliot Clemence of Fighter Squadron Composite-12 returns from aerial combat simulation during Exercise Northern Edge June 22, 2011, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (U.S. Marine Corps photo/Cpl. Marionne T. Mangrum)*
