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IAF top guns will hone their skills alongside aircrews from other countries in a 15-day intensive training program
An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent has arrived at the Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska to participate in the prestigious multi-national exercise, Red Flag 24. Supported by IL-78 air-to-air refuelers and the C-17 transport aircraft, the IAF Rafale fighters undertook a transatlantic flight with staging halts in Greece and Portugal before reaching their destination.
Red Flag is a two-week advanced aerial combat training exercise aimed at integrating aircrew in a multinational environment. It is designed to replicate a realistic and challenging environment, bringing together aircrew and equipment from different nations and services. This year’s exercise promises a unique experience for the IAF as it joins forces with other international participants to enhance their combat readiness and interoperability.
India has sent eight Rafale fighter jets to the cold climes of Alaska. These jets are split equally between single-seaters and twin-seaters.
The exercise, which begins on Thursday (May 30, 2024), will see the IAF's top guns honing their skills alongside aircrews from other countries in a 15-day intensive training program. Eielson Air Force Base, located just 40 km from the town of Fairbanks, will serve as the hub for this multinational collaboration.
Red Flag exercises are designed to create a comprehensive learning environment by simulating realistic combat scenarios. There are two distinct Red Flag exercise locations: Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada and Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. The Nevada exercise is organized by the United States Air Force Warfare Center (USAFWC), while the Alaska exercise is managed by the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), the air component command of the United States’ Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM).
Eielson Air Force Base is home to a squadron of F-16 Fighting Falcons and two squadrons of the United States Air Forces’ (USAF) top-of-the-line F-35s. The 18th Aggressor Squadron, which flies the F-16 C/D, will be central to the exercise. This squadron’s participation is notable, as the Pakistani Air Force also operates this advanced variant of the F-16. Additionally, the 51st Fighter Wing of the USAF will join the exercise with a more advanced version of the F-16.
The exercise is managed by the 353rd Combat Training Squadron based at Eielson AFB. This squadron oversees three weapons ranges covering an area of 180,000 square kilometers, comparable to the size of the Indian state of Karnataka. The 353rd also handles 28 threat systems that mimic weapons threatening aircraft. In the previous iteration of the exercise, Red Flag Alaska 24-1, participating aircraft had access to nearly 200,000 square kilometers of airspace, a size between the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.
Eielson AFB can accommodate up to 60 aircraft, with another 40 aircraft utilizing the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. At peak times, as many as 70 fighters can operate in the same area, providing an unparalleled experience for fighter pilots and controllers both in AWACs and on the ground to coordinate and execute complex tactical scenarios. This extensive and unrestricted airspace offers a truly exceptional learning experience, making the exercise invaluable for IAF pilots and ground crew.
Red Flag-Alaska (RF-A) is a series of Pacific Air Forces commander-directed field training exercises for U.S. and partner nation forces. These exercises enable joint and international units to exchange tactics, techniques, and procedures while improving interoperability in a realistic threat environment.
In RF-A 16-1, more than 75 aircraft and 1,400 participants took part, including a strategic and rare partnership with the Indian Air Force, featuring the Sukhoi SU-30MK and SEPECAT Jaguar. U.S. Air Force Colonel Brian Toth, 354th Operations Group commander, emphasized the importance of foreign military participation to the overall success of RF-A exercises. “The realistic training environment we aim to provide each iteration is only made possible with the participation of our partners and the hard work they put in throughout the exercise,” Toth stated.
The participation of the Indian Air Force in Red Flag 24 is a testament to the growing international collaboration in enhancing military readiness and combat skills. As the IAF pilots and ground crew engage in this comprehensive training exercise, they are set to gain invaluable experience and knowledge that will enhance their operational capabilities. The exercise not only strengthens military ties but also paves the way for more integrated and effective joint operations in the future.
Red Flag is a two-week advanced aerial combat training exercise aimed at integrating aircrew in a multinational environment. It is designed to replicate a realistic and challenging environment, bringing together aircrew and equipment from different nations and services. This year’s exercise promises a unique experience for the IAF as it joins forces with other international participants to enhance their combat readiness and interoperability.
India has sent eight Rafale fighter jets to the cold climes of Alaska. These jets are split equally between single-seaters and twin-seaters.
The exercise, which begins on Thursday (May 30, 2024), will see the IAF's top guns honing their skills alongside aircrews from other countries in a 15-day intensive training program. Eielson Air Force Base, located just 40 km from the town of Fairbanks, will serve as the hub for this multinational collaboration.
Red Flag exercises are designed to create a comprehensive learning environment by simulating realistic combat scenarios. There are two distinct Red Flag exercise locations: Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada and Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. The Nevada exercise is organized by the United States Air Force Warfare Center (USAFWC), while the Alaska exercise is managed by the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), the air component command of the United States’ Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM).
Eielson Air Force Base is home to a squadron of F-16 Fighting Falcons and two squadrons of the United States Air Forces’ (USAF) top-of-the-line F-35s. The 18th Aggressor Squadron, which flies the F-16 C/D, will be central to the exercise. This squadron’s participation is notable, as the Pakistani Air Force also operates this advanced variant of the F-16. Additionally, the 51st Fighter Wing of the USAF will join the exercise with a more advanced version of the F-16.
The exercise is managed by the 353rd Combat Training Squadron based at Eielson AFB. This squadron oversees three weapons ranges covering an area of 180,000 square kilometers, comparable to the size of the Indian state of Karnataka. The 353rd also handles 28 threat systems that mimic weapons threatening aircraft. In the previous iteration of the exercise, Red Flag Alaska 24-1, participating aircraft had access to nearly 200,000 square kilometers of airspace, a size between the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.
Eielson AFB can accommodate up to 60 aircraft, with another 40 aircraft utilizing the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. At peak times, as many as 70 fighters can operate in the same area, providing an unparalleled experience for fighter pilots and controllers both in AWACs and on the ground to coordinate and execute complex tactical scenarios. This extensive and unrestricted airspace offers a truly exceptional learning experience, making the exercise invaluable for IAF pilots and ground crew.
Red Flag-Alaska (RF-A) is a series of Pacific Air Forces commander-directed field training exercises for U.S. and partner nation forces. These exercises enable joint and international units to exchange tactics, techniques, and procedures while improving interoperability in a realistic threat environment.
In RF-A 16-1, more than 75 aircraft and 1,400 participants took part, including a strategic and rare partnership with the Indian Air Force, featuring the Sukhoi SU-30MK and SEPECAT Jaguar. U.S. Air Force Colonel Brian Toth, 354th Operations Group commander, emphasized the importance of foreign military participation to the overall success of RF-A exercises. “The realistic training environment we aim to provide each iteration is only made possible with the participation of our partners and the hard work they put in throughout the exercise,” Toth stated.
The participation of the Indian Air Force in Red Flag 24 is a testament to the growing international collaboration in enhancing military readiness and combat skills. As the IAF pilots and ground crew engage in this comprehensive training exercise, they are set to gain invaluable experience and knowledge that will enhance their operational capabilities. The exercise not only strengthens military ties but also paves the way for more integrated and effective joint operations in the future.
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