Elmendorf, coalition forces hone skills at Red Flag-Alaska

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mikal Canfield
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFPN) --  Airmen from Japan, Mongolia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and the United States are at Elmendorf Air Force Base honing their warfighting skills as they participate in Red Flag-Alaska July 12 through 27.

More than 80 aircraft and 1,500 servicemembers from the six countries are flying together in this multinational exercise that provides realistic combat training in a safe and controlled setting over the Pacific Alaskan Range Complex and Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.

Red Flag-Alaska is a series of field-training exercises testing joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close-air support, and large-force employment training in a simulated combat environment. This is the third Red Flag-Alaska exercise this year.

Officials of the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson AFB have overall command of Red Flag-Alaska operations, and members of Det. 1 of the 353rd Combat Training Squadron at Elmendorf AFB are also extensively involved in the exercise. Both units work together to plan, support, execute and evaluate Red Flag-Alaska exercises. 

"All Elmendorf participants are part of the 'blue forces' providing the bulk of the air-to-air assets (F-15 Eagles), all airlift assets (C-17 Globemaster III/C-130 Hercules), all airborne command/control assets (E-3 Sentry/E-767), half the 'suppression of enemy air defenses' assets (EA-6), and a Spanish B-707 tanker," said Lt. Col. Reggie Smith, the Det. 1, 353rd CTS commander. 

"At Eielson, the professionally trained aggressors provide 'red forces' -- also known as the opposing force -- in the form of specially painted F-15 and F-16 (Fighting Falcon) aircraft to simulate the whole gamut of potential enemy aircraft," he said. "In addition, Eielson 'blue force' participants comprise all of the strike aircraft (F-15E Strike Eagles, F-16 and F-18 Hornets), remaining tankers (KC-135 Stratotankers), remaining air-to-air players (Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15s), half the 'suppression of enemy air defenses' assets (Navy S-3), plus ground support teams." 

C-17s of the 517th Airlift Squadron -- aircraft that have only been at Elmendorf AFB since early June when they officially replaced C-130s at the base -- are already getting valuable experience on Alaska's vast training ranges. 

"Today's mission for the C-17s was a two-ship airdrop, low-level ingress/egress to multiple drop zones for simulated and actual airdrops," said Capt. Chuck Morris, the 517th AS Operations Flight commander. "Our scenario dealt with troop resupply as part of the strike package." 

The base's C-17s aren't the only local aircraft participating, as F-15s from the 19th Fighter Squadron and an E-3 from the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron are also exercise participants. Aircraft and members from all six countries are contributing to the exercise, and giving airmen who typically don't work together a chance to get valuable training in a coalition environment. 

"Red Flag-Alaska provides an incredible opportunity to develop, refine and train to those skill sets necessary for successful coalition warfare," Colonel Smith said. "Each of our coalition partners brings a unique set of perspectives, tactics, capabilities and specialties to the fight."

"Through the Red Flag-Alaska venue, all participating countries gain a better understanding of each other and leave the exercise better prepared to face the next contingency as a cohesive team. Red Flag-Alaska fosters lasting multinational relationships, building coalition bonds between the United States and our worldwide partners," he said.

"Many of the 'fog of war' variables such as communication, coordination, tactical compatibility and interoperability are addressed through the daily planning, interaction, and execution of Red Flag-Alaska ," Colonel Smith said.

"It's easy to think of Red Flag-Alaska as the scrimmage before the big game, but it makes sense to practice like you are going to play. Red Flag-Alaska provides a safe, controlled environment where participants experience the stress of combat without the high risk of combat," the colonel said. "Our goal is to provide eight to 10 simulated combat missions with enough realism to develop those skill sets necessary to survive and win in actual wartime conditions." 

For Elmendorf AFB's C-17s, the training provides a rare chance to hone skills aircrews wouldn't be able to practice otherwise. 

"Red Flag-Alaska training is amazing, especially for heavy crews. It is a part of the Air Force's war-fighting capability that we seldom get the opportunity to train for," said Captain Morris.

"Flying as part of a large force exercise is a challenge and most heavy crews don't get such a great opportunity," he said. "Integrating with international and coalition air force players highlights what aspects of training we need to work on as a community, and the training environment in Alaska is perfect for it." 

The fourth and final Red Flag-Alaska exercise for the year is scheduled for October.

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