USS Decatur brings naval edge to Alaska

HOMER, Alaska - The USS Decatur (DDG-73) sits docked in Homer, Alaska, before the start of Exercise Northern Edge '11, June 12, 2011. The Decatur is a Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer ship, which has SPY radar on board to locate and track aircraft and missiles. (U.S. Marines photo/Sgt. Deanne Hurla)

Operation Northern Edge

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF RICHARDSON, Alaska -- An F-15 Eagle from the 65th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., takes off to participate in the first training mission of Operation Northern Edge 11 in JBER, Alaska, June 13, 2011. Northern Edge, Alaska's largest military training exercise, is designed to prepare joint forces to respond to crises throughout the Asia-Pacific region. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rufus Hucks)

Operation Northern Edge

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF RICHARDSON, Alaska -- An F-15 Eagle from the 65th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., takes off to participate in the first training mission of Operation Northern Edge 11 in JBER, Alaska, June 13, 2011. Northern Edge, Alaska's largest military training exercise, is designed to prepare joint forces to respond to crises throughout the Asia-Pacific region. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rufus Hucks)

Operation Northern Edge

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF RICHARDSON, Alaska -- An F-15 Eagle from the 65th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., takes off to participate in the first training mission of Operation Northern Edge 11 in JBER, Alaska, June 13, 2011. Northern Edge, Alaska's largest military training exercise, is designed to prepare joint forces to respond to crises throughout the Asia-Pacific region. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rufus Hucks)

Operation Northern Edge

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF RICHARDSON, Alaska -- An F/A-18F Super Hornet takes off to participate in the first training mission of Operation Northern Edge 11 in JBER, Alaska, June 13, 2011. Northern Edge, Alaska's largest military training exercise, is designed to prepare joint forces to respond to crises throughout the Asia-Pacific region. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rufus Hucks)

Operation Northern Edge

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Aviation Ordnanceman Third Class Chris Vega performs pre-flight checks on an F/A-18F Super Hornet prior to it's first flight in support of Operation Northern Edge 11 in JBER, Alaska, June 13, 2011. Northern Edge, Alaska's largest military training exercise, is designed to prepare joint forces to respond to crises throughout the Asia-Pacific region. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rufus Hucks)