Military jets seen and heard over the Kenai Peninsula this week are part of U.S. Air Force’s 3rd Air Expeditionary Wing’s Exercise Tropic Tundra.

The planes, which have been spotted as far south as Homer, are taking off from Kenai Municipal Airport as part of the training exercise. On Tuesday, a row of F-22 jets could be seen staged on the airport’s runway. According to a release from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, exercises were scheduled from May 27 through June 6. Exercises like Tropic Tundra are important to train and test pilots and technology, the release says.

“The 3rd AEW uses intense training exercises, such as Exercise Tropic Tundra, to test our skills in austere environments under intense conditions,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Charles Schuck, commander of the wing. “The lessons we learn are crucial and allow us to continually improve our tactics, techniques, and procedures to ensure our team is prepared for any mission they face.”

Derek Ables, manager of the Kenai Municipal Airport, said Tuesday that the airport would be hosting military aircraft and personnel for around a week.

“We are excited to have them use the Airport and are here to support safe and efficient operations as always,” he said.

For more information, visit jber.jb.mil.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.