Gravity waves are the major coupling mechanism between the troposphere and the mesosphere. In order to investigate the full process chain from wave excitation in the troposphere, over the horizontal and vertical propagation through the troposphere and the middle atmosphere up to their dissipation in the mesopause region, we have conducted a series of combined airborne and ground based research campaigns in Northern Scandinavia (2013 and 2015/16) and in New Zealand (2014). Corresponding results show a wealth of complex wave processes like wave trapping and evanescence at the tropopause, refraction into the polar night jet, wave breaking in the mid stratosphere and mesopause region, and the excitation of secondary waves. In this talk, we present research highlights from these field programs, identify important open questions, and we will describe our near and mid-term plans to address some of the remaining open issues.