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Fighter Pilot: Operation red flag / subject background

From the Red Flag Fact Sheet, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada

Established in 1975, Red Flag is a two-week, realistic combat training exercise involving the elite aerial forces from all four branches of the U.S. military, plus their Guard/Reserve components. The exercise is commonly described as being more challenging than actual combat.

Operation Red Flag’s mission is to maximize the combat readiness, capability and survivability of participating units by providing realistic training in a combined air, ground and electronic threat environment while providing for a free exchange of ideas among forces.

Since 1975, NATO and the air forces of 27 other countries have joined the U.S. in these intensive exercises, as well as individual members of other countries (such as India) who have participated as observers.

Red Flag is conducted on the vast bombing and gunnery ranges at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, as one of a series of advanced training programs administered by the Air Warfare Center and Nellis through the 414th Combat Training Squadron.

Red Flag exercises have provided training for over 400,000 military personnel, including more than 132,000 aircrew members flying over 350,000 sorties and logging over 600,000 hours flying time.

A typical Red Flag exercise involves a variety of aircraft, including:

  • attack, fighter and bomber aircraft (F-117s, F-15Es, F-16s, F/A-18s, A-10s, B-1s, B-2s, B52s)
  • reconnaissance aircraft (predator, RC-135, U-2)
  • electronic warfare aircraft (EC-130s, EA-6Bs, and F-16CJs)
  • air superiority aircraft (F-15s, F16s’ F/A-18s, etc.)
  • airlift support (C-17s, C-130s, C-5s)
  • search and rescue aircraft (HH-60s, HC-130s, CH-47s)
  • aerial refueling aircraft (KC-135s and KC-10s)
  • space assets

Upon completion of Red Flag, graduates have the equivalent of their first 10 combat missions accomplished.