PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — For the first time, U.S. Marine Corps F-35 pilots and Air Force F-22 pilots trained together in the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s (NAWCAD) Joint Simulation Environment (JSE) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River from March 24-27, 2025. The event marked a milestone in joint fifth-generation fighter training, integrating eight Marine F-35s with four Air Force F-22 Raptors in the Department of Defense’s most advanced digital test range.
The exercise involved F-35B and F-35C pilots from Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons (VMFA) 122, 225, and 311, alongside F-22 pilots from the Combat Air Forces and test community. Over two days, they flew 17 simulated combat missions against sophisticated enemy threats unique to the JSE. “This milestone is a game-changer that ushers in a new era of interoperability for aviation’s combat community,” said NAWCAD Commander Rear Adm. John Dougherty IV. He noted the training prepares NAWCAD to standardize joint exercises for Navy and Air Force fighters starting this spring.
Pilots praised the JSE’s ability to foster collaboration. “The cross talk [while training in the JSE] is unparalleled in terms of being able to talk tactics [and] actually get in the same room with people,” said F-22 pilot Capt. Brett Myer. Post-mission reviews, aided by cockpit video and audio, allowed immediate feedback. VMFA-225 pilot Maj. Patrick Hoffer emphasized the human element: “At the end of the day, it’s going to be the people that win our nation’s wars. Having those person-to-person connections between the Air Force, the Navy and the Marine Corps [in the JSE] is the most important part.”
Unlike costly and logistically challenging open-air range training, the JSE offers a secure, simulated environment with threats unfeasible in real-world settings. Developed by NAWCAD engineers and industry partners, it features domed simulators with authentic hardware, software, and adversary aircraft models. Pilots completed more sorties in a week than they typically do in a year on traditional ranges, accelerating skill development.
The JSE is already part of the Navy’s TOPGUN program, with plans to expand its use across other warfighter training. NAWCAD aims to enhance the system by adding an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye in 2025, followed by the F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler in 2026. Based at Patuxent River, NAWCAD supports Navy and Marine Corps aviation through test ranges and labs, with additional sites in St. Inigoes, Md.; Lakehurst, N.J.; and Orlando, Fla.
The March training underscores a shift toward integrated, high-fidelity simulation, strengthening joint operational readiness. More details on NAWCAD’s mission are available at www.navair.navy.mil/nawcad.
