RED FLAG july 2017 – Nellis AFB

report by: Thierry letellier

A three-week air-to-air combat joint training exercise, is in progress during this end of july 2017 for RED FLAG 17-3 held in NELLIS AFB – NV. Red Flag consists of a variety of attack, fighter and bomber aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, electronic warfare aircraft, airlift support, search-and-rescue aircraft, aerial refueling aircraft and ground-based command and control, space and cyber forces.

RED FLAG is as always conducted on the vast bombing and gunnery ranges of the Nevada Test and Training Range. It is one of a series of advanced training programs administered by the United States Air Force Warfare Center and Nellis and executed through the 414th Combat Training Squadron. Aircraft and personnel taking part to RED FLAG operate under the Air Expeditionary Force concept, and make up the exercise’s “Blue” forces. Blue forces multiple tasks can be resumed to air defence, search and rescue and close air support.

The Red force threats are aligned under the 57th Adversary Tactics Group, which controls seven squadrons of USAF Aggressors, including fighter, space, information operations and air defense units. The Aggressors are specially trained to replicate the tactics and techniques of potential adversaries and provide a scalable threat presentation to Blue forces. In addition of the local ” Agressors ” were noted 3 x A-4 ( ex RNZAF ) and 3 x L-159 from Draken International

A “White” force in RED FLAG uses the Nellis Air Combat Training System (NACTS) monitor this mock combat between Red and Blue. NACTS is the world’s most sophisticated tracking system for combat training exercises.

Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II fighter jets from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 “Wake Island Avengers,” 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, are participating alongside the Air Force’s 58th FS F-35A « Gorillas » for the first time in Red Flag history. { To learn in a realistic training environment as we continue to progress down the road with this platform and other fifth-generation or fourth-generation aircraft. The more we can better use each other’s tactics, techniques and procedures to successfully go after whatever the problem set is } were the words of Lt. Col. Mark Sadler, 414th Combat Training Squadron commander.

Other significant participants were for Blue forces the F-22A from 95th FS at Tyndall AFB assuming the Air Superirity tasks.  The Suppression of Enemy Air Defence missions were done by the F-16C from 77th FS at Shaw AFB. The Search And Rescue missions were allowed to HC-130J Combat King II from 79 Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Escort jamming as well as the traditional standoff jamming mission were devoted to a pair of EA-18G from VAQ-134 at NAS Whidbey Island. The B-1B from 37th BS at  Ellsworth AFB did long range strike missions.

Globalairpower had the great satisfaction to be present for this RED FLAG 2017-3 édition ; even if the high temperature and less common high level of humidity were not always easy to support.