Misawa on the move

Capt. Bryan Spence controls the flaps and rudder on an F-16 Fighting Falcon during a pre-flight inspection to ensure all ice build up has been melted for maximum aerodynamic performance before a RED FLAG-Alaska 08-2 training mission April 8 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. RED FLAG-Alaska is a Pacific Air Forces command directed field training exercise which provides joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support, and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment. He is assigned to Misawa Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Jonathan Snyder)

Misawa on the move

Capt. Bryan Spence signals from an F-16 Fighting Falcon while moving down the taxi way April 8 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. RED FLAG-Alaska 08-2 is a Pacific Air Forces command directed field training exercise which provides joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support, and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment. He is assigned to Misawa Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Jonathan Snyder) (Released)

Osan participates in Red Flag-Alaska 08-2

Ten F-16 fighting falcons sit on the tarmac late into the evening April 1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Over the past few days aircraft have been gathering together for the up coming Red Flag-Alaska 08-2. These aircraft are assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air base, Korea. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Jonathan Snyder)

Rain, Sleet, or Snow the aircraft must go

Maintainers remove snow and de-ice an EA-6B Prowler for the first official day of Red Flag-Alaska 08-2 April 7 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Red Flag-Alaska provides training for deployed maintenance and support personnel in sustainment of a large-force deployed air operation. He is assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force. The Prowler is assigned to the Naval Air Station Widbey Island. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Jonathan Snyder)

RF-A pilots engage in realistic-combat scenarios

Published April 10, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Vann Miller
RED FLAG-Alaska Public Affairs

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- 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 RED FLAG-Alaska 08-2 training here at Eielson Air Force Base.

"It's like a big helmet fire," said 1st Lt. Derick Cole, 36th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, 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 finger tips. And according to one aviator, the preparation done here takes training to the next level.

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

RED FLAG-Alaska hosts multiple air frames 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 System 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. The Air Force brings the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the F-15 Eagle, and punching its way into the fight for the first time is the F-22 Raptor.

One pilot, naval aviator, Lt. Paul Tully said flying here gives him a chance to educate Air Force pilots on just what the Prowler brings to the fight.

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

Though RF-A has another week before all the training scenarios are complete, some pilots are disappointed that 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.

Mission scheduler Capt. Paul Davidson, 36th FS Osan AB, said though the weather has caused some of the morning flights to be cancelled, overall he is pleased so far. The exercise will continue as planned despite the snow and poor weather.