EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- The beginning of RED FLAG-Alaska 21-3 brings Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft flying overhead and alongside U.S. Armed Forces assets for combat readiness training.
RED FLAG-Alaska is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored exercise designed to provide realistic training in a simulated environment, with primary flight operations over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex (JPARC). RF-A 21-3 will be taking place from August 12-27, 2021.
“As with all our Red Flag exercises, we are excited to work with our joint partners and allies,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Eads, 354th Operations Group Detachment 1 commander. “During RF-A 21-3, we are hosting the RAAF, and we will continue to sharpen our lethality and refine our interoperability.”
The real surface-to-air and air-to-air threat training environment is unlike anything else in the Alaskan environment. The 18th Aggressors Squadron and 353rd Combat Training Squadron (CTS) bring enemy-like assets and tactics into the training, providing intense and realistic combat training to allies and all fifth-generation aircraft.
“RF-A 21-3 always brings new opportunities to the fight and sharpens our ability to respond skillfully to real world situations,” said Lt Col James Collins, 353rd CTS commander. “Our Airmen are always ready to integrate with joint and allied forces, using the full extent of the JPARC and our assets to prepare for anything, anytime, anywhere.”
Participants in RF-A 21-3 will be operating under strict COVID-19 restriction of movement conditions and protocols. The 354th Fighter Wing continues to keep safety at the forefront and remains postured to support the U.S. commitment to security and stability in the Indo-Pacific Region.