Gunfighters lead the way at Red Flag

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Samantha S. Crane
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (ACCNS) --  (Editors Note: This is part of a series written on the 389th Fighter Squadron's participation in Red Flag 09-3 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.)

The 389th Fighter Squadron and other 366th Fighter Wing support teams arrived at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., on Feb. 20 to begin preparations for Red Flag 09-3 - the Air Force's advanced aerial combat training exercise.

The first missions began Feb. 23 in what Red Flag officials call an aggressive, highly-complex exercise designed to test U.S. forces and its allies in near-combat conditions.
Along with 14 F-15E Strike Eagles, the 366th FW provided a core leadership cadre including Col. James McGovern, Air Expeditionary Wing commander; Chief Master Sgt. William Harner, AEW first sergeant; and Lt. Col. Luis Gallegos, AEW maintenance officer in charge. Other 366th FW agencies that sent people to Red Flag include the chapel, safety, weather, intelligence and the flight surgeon.

Red Flag 09-3 features a three-week format - the first time since 1981 the exercise will run this long. During the exercise, U.S. and coalition forces attempt to "kick down the door" in the first week followed by two weeks of traditional air combat missions.

A study after the Vietnam War identified a lack of realistic training for combat aircrews, said Lt. Col. Paul Johnson, 414th Combat Training Squadron Red Flag director of operations. The report highlighted that aircrews that survived their first 10 combat missions over Vietnam had a far greater chance of successfully completing their tour of duty in Southwest Asia. Red Flag became the key to improve this type of aircrew training.

"This format was developed by higher headquarters staff and championed by many past participants who sought even more realistic training," said Colonel McGovern.

The three-week schedule will challenge aircrew and support personnel from start to finish as they operate around the clock in a simulated, major regional conflict.

"This is going to happen fast and furious," said Colonel McGovern. "Our senior leaders expect us to kick down the door as a pre-requisite for follow-on operations. It will test us as if we really did get a phone call at 3 a.m. recalling us to our units with our mobility bags to get on an airplane to somewhere on the other side of the world. What follows is the application of immediate combat power."

This exercise features more than 90 aircraft, 2,000 personnel and 27 U.S. and allied units based around the world.

U.S. units at this Red Flag came from Nevada, Virginia, Idaho, California, Maryland, Washington, Arizona, Oklahoma, Utah, Georgia, Nebraska, Ohio, Florida and Germany. Air Force aircraft involved in the exercise include F-22s, F-15s, F-16s, A-10s, F/EF-18s, EA-6Bs, HH-60Gs, KC-135s and a KC-10.

In addition to U.S. aircraft, United Kingdom F-3 Tornados and Royal Australian Air Force F-111s will participate.

"We're here to integrate a successful combat force - effectively employ lethal power - and integrate, plan, execute and capture lessons," said Royal Australian Air Force Group Capt. Gavin Turnbull, AEW vice commander. "We're here to build a coalition."

Established in 1975, the exercise takes place on the 15,000-square-mile Nevada test and Training Range located north of Las Vegas.

A "Blue" force team, comprised of the U.S. and allied fighters, face off against the "Red" forces, led by the 64th Aggressors Squadron. The "enemy" forces use electronically simulated surface-to-air missiles, antiaircraft artillery and communications jamming forces to test the friendly Blue forces. Meanwhile, a "White" force monitors the simulated combat for review.

Red Flag concludes March 13. For a complete list of participating aircraft for the exercise, visit www.nellis.af.mil/library/flyingoperations.asp.