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Eielson Air Force Base

Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Steven Nehls, 35th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons section chief, sits in a vehicle during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 9, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

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Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Bryce Gavitt, 35th Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, poses for a photo during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 9, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

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Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

Royal Australian Air Force Flight Lieutenant Jake Westcott, 1 Squadron pilot, poses for a photo, during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 10, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members. Westcott had been growing his mustache for four months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

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Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

Royal Australian Air Force Flight Lieutenant Slade Smith, 1 Squadron pilot, poses for a photo during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 10, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members. Smith had been growing his mustache for three months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

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Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

Royal Australian Air Force Flight Lieutenant Jake Westcott, 1 Squadron pilot and Royal Australian Air Force Flight Lieutenant Slade Smith, 1 Squadron pilot, poses for a photo during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 10, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

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Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Cameron Owans, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225 powerline mechanic, performs a preflight check on an F-35B Lightning II during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 10, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members. Owans had been growing his mustache for three months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

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Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Vasquez, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225 powerline mechanic, poses for a photo during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 10, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

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Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jacob Miller, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225 powerline mechanic, performs a preflight check on an F-35B Lightning II during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 10, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

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Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

U.S. Air Force 1st Lieutenant Seth ‘Flash’ Padgett, 80th Fighter Squadron pilot, raises a heritage hand signal during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 9, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

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Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

U.S. Air Force lst Lieutenant James ‘Cuts’ Lloyd, 80th Fighter Squadron pilot, raises a heritage hand signal during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 9, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

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Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

U.S. Navy aviation ordnance Seaman Brendan Aean, Electronic Attack Squadron 131, poses for a photo during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 9, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

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Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Blaine Nanney, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225 aviation ordnance technician, poses for a photo during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 9, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

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Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

Royal Australian Air Force Leading Aircraftman Jack Goldup, 1 Squadron aircraft technician, stands in the thunder dome, during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 10, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

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Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

U.S. Navy aviation structural mechanic chief petty officer Shane Hinkle, Electronic Attack Squadron 131, raises an eyebrow during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 9, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

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Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

U.S. Navy aviation machinist's mate 2nd Class Felix Robeles, Electronic Attack Squadron 131, poses for a photo during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 9, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

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Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

U.S. Navy aviation machinist's mate 3rd Class Matteo Dearborn, Electronic Attack Squadron 131, poses for a photo during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 9, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

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Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

U.S. Navy aviation structural mechanics, safety equipment 1st Class Micheal Rider, Electronic Attack Squadron 131, stands in the thunder dome during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 9, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

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Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Paul Fix, 13th Fighter Squadron avionics technician, stands in front of an F-16 Fighting Falcon during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 9, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

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Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Mason, 13th Fighter Squadron crew chief, raises a heritage hand signal in front of an F-16 Fighting Falcon during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 9, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

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Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christian Carbonel, 35th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons team chief, poses for a photo during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 9, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

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Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Roger Higgins, 35th Fighter Generation Squadron load crew member, poses for a photo during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 9, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

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Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Vincient Llubit, 35th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons team chief, poses for a photo during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 9, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

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Mustaches of RED FLAG-Alaska

Published Aug. 19, 2022
By Senior Airman Shannon Braaten
354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --

RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability, during which some service members partake in the tradition of growing a ‘deployment mustache’ to increase a sense of morale and camaraderie among deployed service members.