Multi-national forces gather in Last Frontier for air combat training

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  • By Staff Reports
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Participants have arrived and set up shop in preparation for RED FLAG-Alaska 07-3, the annual multi-service, multi-platform coordinated combat operations exercise.

More than 1,500 active duty, Reserve and Air National Guard Airmen, and participants from four foreign nations will train for the next two weeks in the Air Force's composite force exercise on the Pacific Alaskan Range Complex, the largest training range in America. Each RF-A exercise corresponds to the designed operational capability of participating units.

"Overall, planning with all the participants has come together now and each unit is eager to begin operations next week," said Capt. Ron Strobach, Red Flag-Alaska project officer.

Captain Strobach said RED FLAG-Alaska planners factor in various considerations when designing exercises so participants get the maximum training possible without being placed at an unfair advantage during simulated combat scenarios.

RED FLAG-Alaska participants are divided into opposing "hostile" and "friendly" forces flying against each other in air-to-air and air-to-ground combat and combat support missions using a variety of aircraft against a realistic set of threats.

The "hostile" force includes ground-control intercept and surface air defense forces to simulate threats posed by potentially hostile nations. These forces generally employ defensive counter-air tactics directed by ground-control intercept sites. Range threat emitters -- electronic devices which send out signals simulating anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missile launches -- provide valuable surface-to-air training and are operated by a civilian contractor as directed by 353rd Combat Training Squadron technicians.

The "friendly" force includes a spectrum of U.S. and allied tactical and support units. Because the defensive and offensive forces meet in a simulated hostile, non-cooperative training environment, the job of controlling the mock war and ensuring safety falls to the a neutral force.

"This is the best airspace in the world. It's really a national asset," said Col. Daniel DeBree, Red Flag deployed forces commander. "In addition to training on a spectacular range in realistic combat scenarios, we also get the opportunity to exercise with our international partners which in and of itself is extremely beneficial."

On an average, more than 700 people and up to 60 aircraft deploy to Eielson, and an additional 500 people and 40 aircraft deploy to Elmendorf Air Force Base, for each RED FLAG-Alaska exercise.

Eielson-based units participating in RF-A 07-3 are: 18th Fighter Squadron (354th Fighter Wing), Eielson AFB, Alaska (F-16CGs); 65th Aggressor Squadron (57th Wing), Nellis AFB Nev. (F-15C); 22nd Air Refueling Wing, McConnell AFB, Kan. (KC-135); 6th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill AFB, Fla. (KC-135); 210th Rescue Squadron (176th Wing), Kulis ANG Base Alaska (HH-60); 335th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C (F-15E).

Elmendorf-based units: 19th Fighter Squadron (3rd Wing), Elmendorf AFB AK (F-15C); 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron (3rd Wing), Elmendorf AFB AK (E-3); 535th Airlift Squadron (15th Airlift Wing), Hickam AFB, HI (C-17); Electronic Attack Squadron 209 (Naval Air Facility), Washington DC (EA-6B) ;517th Airlift Squadron (C-17).

International participants are Japan (F-15J, E-767 AWACS); Mongolia (SA-7 Man-Portable Air Defense System Team); Spain (F/A-18, C-130, B-707); Thailand (C-130s); Turkey ( F-16, KC-135) and NATO (1 E-3 AWACS).