Red Flag-Alaska pilots engage in realistic combat scenarios

Posted on: Apr. 16th, 2008 || Source: AFPN | E-mail Article | Print Article

Red Flag-Alaska pilots engage in realistic combat scenarios

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFPN) -- Aerial dog-fights between 10 or more jets and dodging simulated missiles may sound like a boss-level of a video game, but it's really the daunting experience of a combat pilot during the Exercise Red Flag-Alaska 08-2 that runs April 3 through 18 at Eielson Air Force Base.

Red Flag-Alaska is a Pacific Air Forces command-directed field training exercise that provides joint-offensive counter-air, interdiction, close-air support, and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment.

"It's like a big helmet fire," said 1st Lt. Derick Cole from the 36th Fighter Squadron from Osan Air Base, South Korea. "You're reacting to threats out there -- 60 to 70 jets, radios going crazy and surface-to-air missiles. Being able to process all that information at one time becomes very challenging."

Red Flag exercises give members from various bases, branches of service and countries a chance to train in a realistic combat environment while giving aircrews and maintainers an opportunity to showcase their skills and warrior ethos.

"This training really prepares pilots for a full combat experience," Lieutenant Cole said.
As the fighters play the role of friendly or aggressor forces, the pilots get to really see just what kind of capabilities are at their fingertips.

"The airspace and real-world emitters just give us a training environment that you really can't get at our home station," Lieutenant Cole said.

An F-16 Aggressor flies along side a KC-10 Extender during RED FLAG-Alaska 08-2.
Source: US Air Force

Red Flag-Alaska hosts multiple airframes in order to create the most realistic war environment possible. In addition to the fighter aircraft, there are tankers, helicopters and airborne warning and control systems operating in the theater. But it is the high-flying and very maneuverable aircraft that get most of the attention.

Some of those contenders include the Navy's EA-6B Prowler, which is a long-range tactical aircraft, used for electronic warfare. Air Force pilots brought F-16 Fighting Falcons, the F-15 Eagles, and punching its way into the fight for the first time is the F-22 Raptor.

"I find this (training in Alaska) to be the most rewarding," said Navy Lt. Paul Tully from Whidbey Island Oak Harbor, Wash. "The Prowler supports both air and ground forces by denying radar and communications jamming."

Though Red Flag-Alaska has another week before all the training scenarios are complete, some pilots are disappointed the weather has cancelled some of the flights. Lieutenant Tully said three of his flights were cancelled due to nearly five inches of snow since the exercise started.

The exercise will continue as planned despite the snow and poor weather.
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