Force integration training during Exercise Red Flag
US Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft provided the core wing function during Exercise Red Flag.
The large force exercise brought together air and ground units from across the US Air Force, US Navy, Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force for combat training.
As the core wing, the US Air Force’s 388th Fighter Wing acted as the hub for integration, support and resources for the deployed force.
Royal Air Force 617 Squadron from RAF Marham also deployed F-35B for Red Flag, enabling integration and process implementation for cross-servicing maintenance activities between partner nations.
Red Flag offered a chance for force integration combat training, with the Nevada Test and Training Range hosting both integrated air defences with early warning systems and advanced surface-to-air threats. ‘Red force’ aggressor pilots flew aircraft which simulated real-world enemy aircraft to enable 'blue force' assets to experience challenging missions in a variety of different scenarios.
Col Steven Behmer, 388th Fighter Wing commander, said: ‘Red Flag gives us, especially our young pilots and maintainers, many of whom have never been down range, the opportunity to experience a joint, deployed environment. We don’t simply learn how to execute the mission, we also get to know each other better, how we work, and succeed together.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Portugal joins Embraer and Brazil on C-390 ISR capabilities study]()
Portugal joins Embraer and Brazil on C-390 ISR capabilities study
The ongoing study was first announced by Embraer in late 2024 with the Brazilian Air Force, with this latest addition announced during the LAAD defence and security exhibition.
-
![Philippines approved for potential $5.5 billion F-16 aircraft purchase]()
Philippines approved for potential $5.5 billion F-16 aircraft purchase
The potential sale, approved by the US to the Philippines, is for 20 F-16 Block 70/72 jets, days after US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth visited the country.
-
![Sweden commits to acquire four C-390 Millennium aircraft]()
Sweden commits to acquire four C-390 Millennium aircraft
The acquisition of four C-390 aircraft follows the country’s signing of an MoU in 2023 and formal selection in 2024. It will join the existing contract held by the Netherlands and Austria.
-
![Airbus to fly new CUAS UAV prototype this year]()
Airbus to fly new CUAS UAV prototype this year
The counter-UAS prototype, named Low-cost Air Defence or ‘LOAD’, will be used to combat kamikaze UAS.
-
![Taiwan receives first F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft]()
Taiwan receives first F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft
The aircraft is the first of 66 to be delivered to Taiwan from Lockheed Martin.
-
![Boeing to remanufacture five more US Army MH-47G Block II Chinooks]()
Boeing to remanufacture five more US Army MH-47G Block II Chinooks
The contract award, worth $240 million, is part of the ongoing effort by the US Army to modernise its Block II Chinook rotorcraft fleet.
