Milcom Field Report - Bryan Herbert Las Vegas NV

Here is a special report on Milair activity shared with us by Bryan Herbert. Thanks Bryan.

These are frequencies I've snagged from official documents and frequencies I've logged over the last year and a half, I'm sure there are more, I will post updates once my antennas are up.

LOCAL PRESETS

01 | 000.0000 | 000.0000 | SQUADRON COMMON
02 | 289.4000 | 120.9000 | CLEARANCE DELIVERY
03 | 275.8000 | 121.8000 | GROUND
04 | 327.0000 | 132.5500 | TOWER
05 | 385.4000 | 135.1000 | NELLIS CONTROL APP/DEP WEST
06 | 273.5500 | 124.9500 | NELLIS CONTROL APP/DEP EAST
07 | 317.5250 | 126.6500 | NELLIS CONTROL SALLY CORRIDOR
08 | 254.4000 | 119.3500 | NELLIS CONTROL LEE CORRIDOR
09 | 305.6000 | 142.7500 | BULLSEYE SOF
10 | 343.7250 | 000.0000 | EMERGENCY SFA
11 | 270.1000 | 000.0000 | ATIS
12 | 360.6250 | 118.3000 | CREECH AFB TOWER

NUMERICAL FREQUENCY LIST

032.1500 66RQS HH-60
032.3500 34WPS HH-60
032.4500 66WPS A-10
032.6500 66WPS A-10
032.6750 C150.0 UNKNOWN USER
032.8500 66WPS A-10
034.0500 66RQS HH-60
038.6750 UNKNOWN USER
040.1500 422TES A-10
040.5000 GOVERNMENT COMMON | SAR
040.8000 ROTARY WING COMMON
041.4500 422TES A-10
041.5000 ARMY AVIATION
041.9500 422TES A-10
046.7750 549CTS GREEN FLAG WEST
046.8500 549CTS GREEN FLAG WEST
118.3000 CREECH AFB TOWER (PRESET 12)
118.7000 DESERT ROCK AIRPORT CTAF | JANET AIR OPS
120.9000 NELLIS AFB CLEARANCE DELIVERY (PRESET 02)
121.5000 GUARD VICTOR
122.7500 LAS VEGAS PRACTICE AREAS
121.8000 NELLIS AFB GROUND (PRESET 03)
122.8000 DESERT ROCK AIRPORT UNICOM
122.9000 R-4806 RANGE 63-64 | JEAN AIRPORT CTAF
123.1250 FLIGHT TEST STATIONS
123.1500 FLIGHT TEST STATIONS | SKY COMBAT ACE
123.1750 FLIGHT TEST STATIONS
123.2000 FLIGHT TEST STATIONS
123.2250 FLIGHT TEST STATIONS
123.2500 FLIGHT TEST STATIONS
123.2750 FLIGHT TEST STATIONS
123.3250 FLIGHT TEST STATIONS
123.3500 FLIGHT TEST STATIONS
123.3750 FLIGHT TEST STATIONS
123.4000 FLIGHT TEST STATIONS
123.4250 FLIGHT TEST STATIONS
123.4500 FLIGHT TEST STATIONS
123.4750 64AGRS F-16
123.4750 FLIGHT TEST STATIONS
123.5250 FLIGHT TEST STATIONS
123.5500 BLACKJACK
123.5500 FLIGHT TEST STATIONS
123.5750 FLIGHT TEST STATIONS
124.7500 TONOPAH TEST RANGE TOWER
132.5500 NELLIS AFB TOWER (PRESET 04)
138.1000 549CTS GREEN FLAG WEST
138.1250 422TES A-10
138.1500 UNKNOWN USER
138.1750 16WPS F-16 F-35
138.2000 422TES A-10
138.2500 16WPS F-16
138.3750 66WPS A-10
138.5500 422TES F-22
138.6750 16WPS F-16
138.7750 16WPS F-16
138.9500 26WPS MQ-1 MQ-9
139.1250 16WPS F-16 F-35
139.3000 NELLIS PILOT TO DISPATCH
139.4000 66WPS A-10
139.5500 16WPS F-16
139.5750 549CTS GREEN FLAG WEST
139.6000 422TES F-16
139.7250 422TES F-16
139.7500 64AGRS F-16
139.8500 64AGRS F-16
139.8750 422TES F-22
139.9000 BLACKJACK
139.9500 549CTS GREEN FLAG WEST
140.1000 549CTS GREEN FLAG WEST
140.1500 16WPS F-16
140.1750 433WPS F-15 F-22
140.2250 549CTS GREEN FLAG WEST
140.2750 66WPS A-10
140.3250 17WPS F-15E
140.3750 66RQS HH-60
140.4000 433WPS F-15 F-22
140.4500 422TES F-15E
140.4750 422TES A-10
140.7000 433WPS F-15 F-22
140.8250 422TES F-22A
140.9000 UNKNOWN USER
140.9500 422TES F-16
140.9750 66WPS A-10
141.0250 422TES F-22A
141.0500 549CTS GREEN FLAG WEST
141.4000 549CTS GREEN FLAG WEST
141.5500 66WPS A-10
141.6250 16WPS F-16
141.6500 422TES F-15C
141.6750 64AGRS F-16
141.7750 34WPS HH-60
141.8000 34WPS HH-60
141.9250 422TES F-15E
141.9500 422TES F-22A
142.3000 422TES F-22
142.5500 66RQS HH-60
142.7500 NELLIS AFB BULLSEYE SOF (PRESET 09)
143.0000 NELLIS AFB BULLSEYE SOF BACKUP
143.3750 66WPS A-10
143.5500 422TES F-22
143.6000 422TES A-10
143.8250 64AGRS F-16
143.9250 26WPS MQ-1 MQ-9
148.1750 CREECH AFB SOF
148.2500 66WPS A-10
149.1250 422TES A-10
149.5250 64AGRS F-16
149.8750 26WPS A-10
150.5000 422TES F-22A
150.6750 66RQS HH-60
225.1500 HAVE QUICK
225.4500 R-4806 RANGE 65
225.5000 66WPS A-10 OPS
226.7750 UNKNOWN USER
228.0000 UNKNOWN USER
229.0000 16WPS BASE OPS
229.2500 UNKNOWN USER
230.0250 26WPS MQ-1 MQ-9
231.1000 RED FLAG JOINT INTERFACE CONTROL OFFICER (JICO) 'JUICE'
231.4000 UNKNOWN USER
233.6000 34WPS HH-60
234.2500 R-4806 RANGE 62 'ORANGE 17'
234.3250 COYOTE MOA
234.9000 RED FLAG OPS
235.0500 HAVE QUICK
236.0000 66RQS SAR BRAVO
236.9250 WARBAT
238.3250 RENO TAC
238.8000 R-4806 ALAMO
239.6000 UNKNOWN USER
239.7000 34WPS HH-60
241.0000 ARMY AVIATION
241.2500 RENO OPS
243.0000 GUARD UNIFORM
245.6500 66RQS HH-60
246.2000 UNKNOWN RANGE
250.4750 CHEETAH
251.2000 549CTS GREEN FLAG WEST OPS
251.9000 66RQS SAR ALPHA
252.1000 64AGRS F-16 OPS
252.5500 UNKNOWN USER
253.7250 UNKNOWN USER
255.3000 66WPS A-10
255.9500 NORTHERN RANGES SPARE
257.0000 UNKNOWN USER
257.1000 17WPS F-15E
257.3500 NELLIS AFB ALCE AMC
257.9500 TONOPAH TEST RANGE TOWER
258.2000 UNKNOWN USER
258.6750 26WPS MQ-1 MQ-9
259.0000 66RQS HH-60 OPS 'JOLLY'
259.9500 NELLIS AFB ALCE AMC
260.1000 433WPS F-15 F-22
261.1000 DESERT ROCK AIRPORT CTAF
261.3750 UNKNOWN USER
262.4500 HAVE QUICK
262.6500 422TES F-22A
262.6500 433WPS F-15 F-22
262.7500 64AGRS F-16
266.6000 422TES F-22A
266.6000 433WPS F-15 F-22
268.0000 LEACH LAKE RANGE
268.0000 R-4806 RANGE 64
268.2000 ELGIN MOA
268.5000 UNKNOWN USER
270.0250 REVEILLE MOA
270.1000 NELLIS AFB ATIS (PRESET 11)
271.0000 NORAD WADS BLUE 15 PRI
271.9500 HAVE QUICK
272.1750 SHOSHONE AR TRACK
274.8750 R-4806 RANGE 63
275.2000 FLIGHT TEST STATIONS
275.8000 CREECH AFB GROUND
275.8000 NELLIS AFB GROUND (PRESET 03)
277.5000 UNKNOWN USER
278.4000 422TES F-15E
281.0250 ELGIN MOA
282.6000 NORAD WADS BLUE 17 SECONDARY
282.8000 SEARCH & RESCUE
283.7500 UNKNOWN USER
283.8000 64AGRS F-16
284.2250 UNKNOWN USER
284.5500 64AGRS F-16
285.5250 CREECH AFB SINGLE FREQUENCY APPROACH (SFA)
286.3000 AR649 PRIMARY
288.2250 NTTR RANGES 71-76
288.8000 R-4806 RANGE 64
289.0500 HAVE QUICK
289.3000 CALIENTE MOA
289.4000 NELLIS AFB CLEARANCE DELIVERY (PRESET 02)
290.4500 CREECH AFB ATIS
290.8000 REVEILLE MOA
291.8500 UNKNOWN USER
291.9000 AR625L PRIMARY
292.0000 UNKNOWN USER
292.1000 17WPS F-15E
293.5000 ELECTRONIC COMBAT RANGE (ECR) 'ROULETTE'
293.5500 HAVE QUICK
294.9000 CALIENTE MOA
295.4000 AR641B PRIMARY
295.8000 AR625H PRIMARY
300.0500 HAVE QUICK (PRESET 20)
303.2750 HAVE QUICK
305.6000 NELLIS AFB BULLSEYE SOF (PRESET 09)
305.6500 422TES F-22A
306.5000 UNKNOWN USER
308.7500 HAVE QUICK
308.8750 UNKNOWN USER
311.0000 USSTRATCOM ABNCP
312.2500 UNKNOWN USER
314.3500 AR OPS
315.8000 422TES F-15C OPS
318.0000 422TES F-15C
318.0250 UNKNOWN USER
318.2500 UNKNOWN USER
318.4000 CYLON TAC
318.9000 66RQS HH-60
319.5000 AR624 SECONDARY
319.5000 AR625 SECONDARY
319.5000 AR635 SECONDARY
319.5000 AR641 SECONDARY
319.5000 AR649 SECONDARY
319.8000 AR625 EXIT
320.0000 NELLIS AFB ACC COMMAND POST
321.0000 USSTRATCOM ABNCP
321.5000 UNKNOWN USER
322.2500 433WPS F-15 F-22
323.3500 422TES F-15E
323.8000 USSTRATCOM ABNCP
323.8500 433WPS BASE OPS
323.9000 CREECH AFB PMSV METRO
323.9000 NELLIS AFB PMSV METRO
324.8500 422TES A-10
325.1750 UNKNOWN USER
326.1250 422TES F-35
326.3000 UNKNOWN USER
326.4000 UNKNOWN USER
326.7750 17WPS F-15E
326.8000 66WPS A-10
327.0000 NELLIS AFB TOWER (PRESET 04)
328.5000 ADVERSARY SUPPORT
336.5750 WRAITH TAC
339.9000 ARMY AVIATION
340.2000 NELLIS AFB AF OPS
340.9000 UNKNOWN USER
341.9250 R-4806 RANGE 61
342.1500 UNKNOWN USER
342.2000 422TES A-10
343.4000 UNKNOWN USER
343.6000 AR641A EXIT
343.7250 EMERGENCY SFA (PRESET 10)
346.2500 UNKNOWN USER
349.1000 16WPS F-16 F-35
349.1750 RENO TAC
349.7000 AIRY OPS
352.6000 AR635 PRIMARY
355.1000 26WPS MQ-1 MQ-9
357.1000 NORTHERN RANGES SPARE
360.2500 16WPS F-16 F-35
360.6250 CREECH AFB TOWER (PRESET 12)
360.8000 AR635 EXIT
361.5000 WEAPONS SCHOOL DUTY DESK
361.6000 R-4806 RANGE 63
363.9000 R-4807 RANGE 75
363.9250 UNKNOWN USER
364.2000 NORAD WADS BLUE 7 AICC
366.1500 549CTS GREEN FLAG WEST
366.3000 AR624 PRIMARY
369.0000 HAVE QUICK
369.4000 422TES F-16
370.8250 COYOTE MOA
371.0500 422TES F-16
371.5000 R-4806 RANGE 63-65
372.2000 CREECH AFB PILOT TO DISPATCH
372.2000 NELLIS AFB PILOT TO DISPATCH
373.5500 422TES F-16
375.8000 R-4808
376.0250 UNKNOWN USER
376.1500 16WPS F-16 F-35
377.0000 UNKNOWN USER
377.8000 BLACKJACK
379.6000 422TES BASE OPS
379.6500 ELECTRONIC COMBAT RANGE (ECR) 'ROULETTE'
381.1000 LEACH LAKE RANGE
381.3000 NELLIS AFB COMMAND POST 'RAYMOND 22'
385.8000 AR641B EXIT
395.1500 549CTS GREEN FLAG WEST
395.8500 549CTS GREEN FLAG WEST
397.2500 549CTS GREEN FLAG WEST
399.5000 549CTS GREEN FLAG WEST
399.8500 549CTS GREEN FLAG WEST

--
Bryan Herbert - KE6ZGP
Las Vegas, NV DM26jc USA
http://twitter.com/ke6zgp
http://bryanherbert.com

__._,_.___

Airmen, Soldiers complete Mobility Forces Exercise

by Staff Sgt. Ciara Wymbs, 23rd Wing Public Affairs

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) -- Army green and Air Force blue combined to deliver the successful completion of the Mobility Forces Exercise 12A, which took place May 21 through 24 here and at the nearby Nevada Test and Training Range in Tonopah, Nev.

MAFEX goals included building relationships between Air Force and Army units; allowing the participating units to learn each other's capabilities and limitations; and rehearsing joint tactics, techniques and procedures in preparation for real-world execution.

"This exercise pieces together all components of the Air Force needed to integrate with Army units to guarantee entry into the battlefield at any time," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Brian Wald, the 57th Weapons Squadron commander and MAFEX 12A air boss. "We got together and tried to bring the best of each of our different tactical platforms and planners in one room to teach each other how we operate and how we could best employ Air Force assets to help the war fighter."

Wald said mobility pilots and aircrews from across the continental United States were mobilized in an effort to assemble and offload the substantial number of Army forces and equipment needed to conduct forcible entry operations to complete the mission. More than 100 aircraft from across the Air Force participated in MAFEX, including the KC-135 Stratotanker, C-130H and J Hercules, A-10 Thunder Bolt II and C-17 Globemaster III. In addition, Air Force joint terminal attack controllers, Airmen from the 820th RED HORSE Squadron, and Soldiers from a long-range surveillance unit and a secure en route communications package also participated in the exercise.

The 317th Airlift Group supported MAFEX with five of its own C-130Js and 33 personnel from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. The C-130J's simulated mission was a strategic brigade airdrop of army personnel in a contested and degraded environment.

"This type of drop places the Army in hostile enemy territory and allows them to expand the lodgment for future follow on missions," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Nicholas Redenius, of the 317th AG. "Think of it like the movie, 'We Were Soldiers.' We drop the guys in and they fight to expand their area of control, and then we land at a (landing zone), dropping off more soldiers."

Airmen from the 317th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron out of Dyess AFB also were on hand to support MAFEX.

"Our role was to ensure the aircraft were ready to fly for the MAFEX exercise," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Montes, of the 317th AMXS. "When we landed, two of the aircraft were broken and we were able to troubleshoot, order parts and fix both aircraft without delaying their flights."

Not only is MAFEX a capstone project for the weapons school students, it also gives the Air Force mobility community a chance to come together and learn from each other.

"It was a blast to see how everyone can come together," said Airman 1st Class Rocky Menard, 40th Airlift Squadron. "We went out there with five crews from the fortieth, but we also got to be with a lot of people from Little Rock and Ramstein, to meet them and talk to them was interesting, and to get some insight about what they do at their bases and what's going on outside of Dyess Air Force Base."

Besides the Airmen from Dyess AFB, the 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing took part in MAFEX to test their ability to link Air Force mobility assets with sister service ground capabilities to ensure joint entry into a combat zone. The 93rd AGOW's 18th Air Support Operations Group, out of Fort Bragg, N.C., helped bring the Army and Air Force together.

"The 18th Air Support Operations Group joint terminal attack controllers were a wonderful translator between the needs of the Army, and capabilities and capacities of the Air Force," Wald said.

In order to manage a clear path for 70 mobility aircraft, JTACs were on hand to provide a link for successful delivery of paratroopers and equipment.

"My job is to monitor the airspace for threats to aircraft," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Chris Wheeler, an 18th ASOG JTAC. "Any type of damage or loss of any aircraft downrange is catastrophic."

"To have that mouthpiece that understands the air work but also understands the ground force commander's intent was instrumental," said Wald. "The work after initial delivery couldn't have been done without the ASOG."

The exercise, which takes place twice each year, is part of a six-month weapons instructor course conducted by the U.S. Air Force Weapons School here. After graduating, weapons school students become weapons officers, serving as expert advisors to military leaders on the use of Air Force and sister service's capabilities in concert.

Thunderbirds host the Blue Angels

Staff Sgt. Brian Emerson marshals in Navy Blue Angels #5, Lt. Ben Walborn, and #4, Rob Kurrle, as they arrive Feb. 23, 2011, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Richard Rose Jr.)

by Staff Sgt. Alice Moore, U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Public Affairs

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) -- The Thunderbirds hosted three members of the Navy Blue Angels team here Feb. 23 as part of a traditional exchange program between the two units.

Blue Angel No. 2, Lt. Cmdr. Jim Tomaszeski, right wing; and Blue Angel No. 4, Lt. Rob Kurrle, slot; had the chance to fly in the back seat of a Thunderbirds F-16D Fighting Falcon model with Thunderbird No. 3, Maj. John Gallemore, right wing. Blue Angel No. 5, Lt. Ben Walborn, lead solo, flew with Thunderbird No. 5, Maj. Aaron Jelinek, lead solo.

The exchange program allows for both demonstration units with similar missions to have the opportunity to share ideas and learn from each other, Major Jelinek said.

"I can't tell you how many times on the road we get asked if we're better than the Blue Angels," Major Jelinek said. "To me, this (exchange program) is more (about) camaraderie between the two teams, rather than a chance to compete with one another other. Bringing their jet here to Nellis (Air Force Base) and flying with us is awesome, because we learn from them. We can see firsthand the good things they're doing with their operation and implement them into our own Thunderbirds mission. And hopefully they can do the same, so both teams become better."

Prior to takeoff, the Blue Angels participated in a pre-flight briefing. From there, they took off into the air with the Thunderbirds and debriefed after the flight.

"It's always exciting to fly someone in the back seat and showcase what you're doing during the various maneuvers," Major Jelinek said. "The opportunity to fly the Blue Angels makes things a little more special, being that they're out accomplishing the same mission on a daily basis."

Majors Gallemore and Jelinek will head down to the Blue Angels' training base at Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif., to shadow their counterparts for a day next week.

Lieutenant Walborn, who is in his third season with the Blue Angels, said the exchange program was definitely beneficial.

"It was really cool to see how you set up for a show and how it's different from the way we do it," Lieutenant Walborn said. "I think this experience will really come full-circle next week when we have (the Thunderbirds) come down to visit."

Both demonstration units are currently scheduled to begin their 2011 show seasons in March. The Thunderbirds will travel to perform at 39 show sites in the U.S. and Europe, and the Blue Angels will travel to 37 show sites in the U.S.

Capt. Ryan Riley (left) greets Lt. Cmdr. Jim Tomaszeski Feb. 23, 2011, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Captain Riley is the Thunderbirds left wing. Commander Tomaszeski is the Navy Blue Angels right wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Larry E. Reid Jr.)

Red Flag 11-2 provides combat experience

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 64th Aggressor Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., takes off from the flightline during the first day of Red Flag 11-2 Jan. 24, 2011, at Nellis AFB. Red Flag is a combined exercise that provides a realistic, combat-training environment to the U.S. and its allies. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin Wilson)

by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Wilson, Red Flag 11-2 Public Affairs

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) -- The first pilots flew into a simulated combat environment designed to give them the skills needed to survive in war during Red Flag 11-2 here Jan. 24.

"The mission of every Red Flag is to expose our combat aircrew to realistic training," said Col. S. Clinton Hinote, the Red Flag 11-2 Air Expeditionary Wing commander. "The idea is that if you give them very realistic combat-like training early in their careers, then they will make the mistakes that most people are going to make in the training environment."

Making mistakes in a training environment helps the aircrew learn valuable lessons for real combat.

A study conducted during the Vietnam War showed that if a pilot survived his first 10 combat missions, his chances of survival through the conflict went up exponentially, Colonel Hinote said.

Helping the aircrew gain combat experience is a professional aggressor force stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Units assigned to the 57th Adversary Tactics Group act as the "bad guys" during Red Flag exercises, trying to stop the deployed forces from accomplishing their mission.

"Today, we are going to try to bomb some airfields and they are trying to stop us," Colonel Hinote said. "Some of our folks are going to get shot down and we're going to shoot down some of their folks, and we are going to come back and learn from the experience and get better at it."

Though the combat missions are the main reason for Red Flag exercises the event has more than one goal.

"Some of the main goals of Red Flag 11-2 are large force integration, strengthening coalition partnerships and bettering coalition interoperability," said Lt. Col. Dewey Smith, the Red Flag 11-2 team chief.

None of the goals of the exercise can be met, however, if units from across the continental U.S., Europe and the Southwest Asia cannot pull together as a team.

"The biggest challenge we will have is creating a coherent fighting team in the space of just a few days" Colonel Hinote said. "Otherwise the enemy aircraft and the enemy surface to air missiles are going to hand us our lunch."

Once the team is fighting together, they have full intentions to take advantage of the opportunity Red Flag provides.

"Red Flag is a gift that has been given to us," Colonel Hinote said. "It is important to be thankful for that because other folks don't get it and we have to take full advantage of this."

(Editor's note: Aircraft and members of the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, are deployed to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., in support of Red Flag 11-2.)

1,200 military members take part in Red Flag 10-2

An F-15 Eagle from Kadena Air Base, Japan, takes off during Red Flag Oct. 22, 2009, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Twelve F-15s from the 44th Fighter Squadron, along with 160 maintenance and support personnel are attending Red Flag Nellis AFB from Jan. 18 through Feb. 5, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chief Master Sgt. Gary Emery)

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) -- Nearly 1,300 servicemembers, more than 80 aircraft and 19 units from the U.S. and England converged for the start of Red Flag 10-2 Jan. 25, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

The exercise is the largest, full-scale integration exercise in the world and prepares warfighters for real-world combat by pitting them against the fictional country of Coyote.

"Our Kadena (Air Base) Airmen will experience the most realistic combat scenarios in the world with joint forces engaging in essential training required prior to employing in a contingency," said Lt. Col. Matthew Molineux, the 18th Operations Group deputy commander. "Red Flag pits our (Airmen) against the best opposing forces in the world."

Large-scale integration involves more than aircraft flying, fighting and winning. It involves all aspects of combat, on the ground and in the air. The 414th Combat Training Squadron staff at Nellis AFB is tasked with planning the exercise to ensure all servicemembers are challenged.

"We train people here for realistic threats, and it takes a lot of people in the air and on the ground to make that happen," said Lt. Col. Dave Jorgensen, the 414th CTS deputy commander.

"Our role is to maximize training for those of us who need it, and our responsibilities are to the aircrews and the people who launch and recover them," said Col. John Quintas, Air Expeditionary Wing commander. "We're going to work very hard to make sure everyone gets the training they need while we're here. We have to be able to adapt and flex to anything and everything that happens."

The exercise doesn't just include a team forming an air expeditionary wing and going through the motions. Those here as a part of Red Flag deal with an aggressor force.

Known as the red force, aggressors are trained to challenge Red Flag participants on all aspects of war and serve as enemy pilots, space jammers, cyberspace infiltrators, and even dig through trash on occasion to challenge their counterparts.

Practicing smart operations security prepares Red Flag warriors for a different aspect of warfighting.

"The Nellis aggressor force provides the environment for all pilots from the youngest wingman to the most experienced instructor in the 44th Fighter Squadron the chance to improve and refine tactics and procedures by using adaptability and airmanship that will translate into the combat edge required to ensure regional security," Colonel Molineux said.

At Red Flag, Kadena AB Airmen will hone their combat flying skills required to provide for the common defense of Okinawa: a primary mission for the 18th Wing, the deputy commander said.

Nellis officials plan for F-35's opportunities, challenges

The U.S. Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., is preparing for the arrival of the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter, like the one pictured here as it undergoes testing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes)

by Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) -- With the new F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft's arrival just four years away, officials at the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center here are looking forward to joint training opportunities while recognizing the challenges of providing realistic training on such a technologically advanced aircraft.

Maj. Gen. Stanley Kresge, the warfare center's commander, said there's a lot of excitement about the next-generation fighter jet slated to begin arriving here in 2014.

Much of the construction under way here will provide new hangars, maintenance facilities and other infrastructure the new aircraft will require. Meanwhile, General Kresge's staff is focused on establishing a new weapons school for F-35 pilots -- an effort he said lends itself to interservice collaboration as the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps prepare for their first joint aircraft program since the Vietnam War.

Unlike the Vietnam-era F-4 Phantom II fighter-bomber, initially developed for the Navy, then adopted by the Marine Corps and Air Force, the F-35 was conceived from the drawing board as a single platform with three different variants to meet the needs of three services.

The Air Force will receive the F-35's "A" variant, which will provide conventional takeoff and landing capabilities. The Marine Corps is slated to receive the "B" variant, which has a vertical-lift capability. The Navy will receive the "C" variant, designed for carrier launches.

Plans are on track to equip the first F-35 training squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., by 2011, and for the Marine Corps to reach initial operational capability by 2012.

General Kresge said he looks forward to working with his Navy counterparts as the Air Force stands up the first F-35 weapons school program at Nellis. Weapons schools provide graduate-level instructor courses, including the most advanced tactics, techniques and procedures for pilots and aircrews.

"If we are going to build a weapons school first, let's partner on it and then make it easier for them to build their weapons school," he said.

Even with three aircraft variants, the airplanes are going to be more alike than different, he said. "So since we are fundamentally going to be flying the same aircraft, I think we can all benefit from a closer collaboration," he said.

For the Air Force program, General Kresge expects to tap F-35 test pilots, along with other weapons school graduates who fly other aircraft. "We'll put them in a room, lock the door for six months, and they'll come up with the syllabus, courseware and academics," General Kresge said.

They'll share their efforts as the Navy Fighter Weapons School, known as "Top Gun," prepares to start up its own F-35 program, he said, while soliciting different approaches to incorporate into the Air Force program.

"It would make no sense for the Navy to discover a new way of doing business, and then a year later, we stumble onto it ourselves," General Kresge said.

The general stressed the importance of F-35 leader training to the future Air Force, noting that today's young fighter pilots will be tomorrow's F-35 squadron commanders.

"Set your watch," he said. "Fifteen years from now, we are going to want that F-35 squadron commander to be prepared to lead a squadron in war, and to bring along the squadron full of young lieutenants and captains to be the next squadron commander."

As General Kresge wrestles with the training and leadership challenges associated with the F-35, the staff here is working to ensure that when the F-35 arrives, crews will have the most realistic training environment possible at the sweeping Nevada Test and Training Range.

That's particularly challenging, explained Col. John P. Montgomery, the 98th Range Wing commander, because the F-35's systems are so advanced that they can tell simulated targets from the real thing.

"The F-35 is so smart that if it is not a real target, it won't let you hit it, because it knows what a real target is," he said. Colonel Montgomery oversees the nearly 3 million acres of ranges and 12,000 square miles of airspace that make up the Nevada Test and Training Range. A big part of the job is making the battle space as close as possible to what aircrews will experience in combat, including realistic targets.

So long before the F-35 arrives here, Montgomery and his staff are trying to figure out ways to build the next-generation targets the next-generation aircraft will need.

"We are planning ahead for it now, to give it the right kind of target sets that look visually, optically, [through] infrared and radar like the real thing," he said. "It's got to have the same acoustics, and smell like it, too."

Meanwhile, he's trying to figure out what kind of aircraft will be capable of standing in for the opposing force during advanced-level training exercises, and how to replicate multiple threats simultaneously.

"The F-35 is a very capable system, and we only have so many aircraft to throw against it," Colonel Montgomery said, noting the need to create virtual threats that the F-35 will recognize.

"It is not the same kind of problem that we used to solve," he said. "It was an easier problem before stealth [technology], and the fact that these [F-35s] are just amazingly capable. All of a sudden, the targets have to look a lot like the real thing, and the threats have to be a lot more capable, and there have to be a lot of them."

Colonel Montgomery said he's committed to working through those challenges before the F-35s start arriving at Nellis. "It's a tough problem," he said. "But the Air Force knows about it, the Department of Defense knows about it. Lots of people are working on it to solve that problem."

Ultimately, the goal is to provide F-35 crews the same level of training their counterparts receive at the Nevada Test and Training Range. "In the end, the guy gets real feedback, real time about how we has done against the threat he's going at, in a high-pressure environment," Colonel Montgomery said. "And he gets to live -- and to come back and do it all over again tomorrow."

New technology proves to be dynamite during JEFX 08

An F-22 Raptor refuels behind a KC-10 Extender April 17 while at 26,000 feet above Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The F-22 is assigned to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Jonathan Snyder)

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) -- F-22 Raptor pilots using an experimental version of a Tactical Targeting Network Technology, or TTNT, were able to send and receive information such as command and control messaging, imagery, airspace updates and even free text messages using a cockpit touch-screen color display during the Air Force Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2008, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., held April 15 to 25.

Although the download methods are not operational nor planned for operational use, the test demonstrated the F-22's utility for potential information-sharing technologies.

The JEFX 08-3 combined real-world air and ground forces, simulation and technology insertions as a venue for meeting command and control objectives. The transferring of real-time intelligence data between other aircraft and the air operations center was part of the joint experiment in a warfighting environment.

Numerous Army, Navy and Air Force weapon systems participated along with the F-22s.

"JEFX gave us a chance to show we can offload information from the F-22 and how it can enhance the coalition and joint forces," said Col. James Firth, the deputy director of requirements for Air Combat Command.

While the primary mission for the F-22 is to project air dominance, rapidly and at great distances, JEFX highlighted the potential for it to be used to connect all aircraft together to provide the best air picture to ground stations using the TTNT.

TTNT is part of a wider Department of Defense technology effort to find, fix, track, target, engage and assess surface targets using a network-centric capability. The system made it possible for the F-22 to share imagery and information to other aircraft and people on the ground in real time.

TTNT is "a higher capacity and more rapid information tool, basically a wireless Internet," said Col. Jim Firth, the ACC deputy director of requirements. "We were able to essentially strap that on in a way that we probably wouldn't do operationally, but it still was a great stepping stone to show how we could off board information."

The system is only one of several potential systems the Air Force is considering for a new offloading information capability, Colonel Firth said. The new capability, which is anticipated to be in use regularly by 2015, won't be limited to just the F-22.

The Air Force is already using fighters and bombers for providing some level of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance purpose, but such platforms currently lack the ability to send certain information, such as large images, back to a base from the aircraft.

In fact, every fighter and bomber aircraft in the Air Force inventory is an ISR platform, said Lt. Col. Daryl Sassaman, the Global Cyberspace Integration Center Modernization and Innovation division chief.

"Fighters and bombers are closer to the fight," he said. Such aircraft are typically in a position to take an image of an emerging target.

Fighters and bombers used for non-traditional ISR, or NTISR, include the B-52 Stratofortress, B-1B Lancer, F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-10 Thunderbolt II.

Although such aircraft should remain focused on their primary missions, "if they are in an area of opportunity where they can take an image or relay information (sensor data)," they are a great enabler, Colonel Sassaman said.

Traditional ISR platforms don't necessarily operate in threatening environments, an area where NTISR can be most valuable, he said The F-22's combination of stealth, supercruise, maneuverability and integrated avionics, can provide an additional level of ISR capabilities in an environment where U.S. armed forces are denied access.

"There are environments where there's advanced defensive systems that the enemy has where (only) the F-22 can go in and operate," Colonel Firth said. "And, by virtue of being there, it can collect information that's of great value to a lot of other users."

That makes the F-22 not just an air-to-air platform but an air-to-air platform that can also conduct a vast array of ISR and attack capabilities, he said.

However, the focus for future technologies is not just on any single aircraft but rather on combining the information sharing capabilities from multiple platforms to create an overall perspective, Colonel Firth said.

"Nowadays a lot of platforms have great sensors that have the ability to pick up good information in the battle space," he said, "and we really want all those platforms to be able to share so that you basically collect and combine the best information that everybody has to offer."

Because this technology is emerging, DOD leaders are working with the Air Force and other services to determine the best and most cost-effective way to meet airborne networking future requirements.

Red Flag turns stealthy

2/14/2007 - A B-2 Spirit lands after a Red Flag mission Feb. 12 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. All three of the Air Force's stealth aircraft models, the B-2 Spirit, F-117 Nighthawk and F-22, are taking part in Red Flag, which sharpens aircrews' warfighting skills in realistic combat situations. Crews are flying missions during the day and night to the nearby Nevada Test and Training Range where they take part in highly realistic aerial combat. The Air Force and Navy, along with Australia and the United Kingdom militaries, are participating in this Red Flag. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Estrada)

Red Flag ramps up, F-22 to make debut

by Lila Edwards

99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

1/12/2007 - NELLS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNEWS) -- The first Red Flag exercise this year, dubbed "Colonial Flag," is scheduled to begin Jan. 16 at Nellis AFB, marking the 32nd year for Red Flag operations.

This is the first of three Red Flags this year, and the F-22 Raptor is participating for the first time.

More than 200 aircraft and about 5,200 military members from the United States, United Kingdom and Australia are taking part in the training. There will be two periods scheduled during this exercise with each period lasting two weeks.

Capt. James Govin, the 414th Combat Training Squadron flight commander and team chief for this Red Flag, said everyone is looking forward to this particular exercise because new training has been built into the combat scenarios.

"We have some pilots who have never been exposed to the concept of Red Flag, and they will certainly gain experience working with other airframes and crews," he explained. "But, there will be some pilots returning after a two-year absence, and it's going to be different for them.
"The scenarios will be the same, but we've included close-air-support training and dynamic targeting," Captain Govin said. "We always remind ourselves that Red Flag is designed to fight the next big war, so these new additions to the exercise will really prepare them for their aerospace expeditionary force deployments."

"The Raptor will be flying in Red Flag for the first time, and its role will be primarily air-to-air fighter escort for air-to-ground strike aircraft, but will also demonstrate its air-to-ground capabilities," he said.

"The strike aircraft will include the B-2 Spirit, the B-1 Lancer, Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornadoes, F-15E Strike Eagle, the F-111 Aardvark and the F-117 Nighthawk," Captain Govin said.
Captain Govin also said the AH-64 Apache Army helicopter is returning after several years of absence in Red Flag.

"It's been some time since we've had the Apache here, and the Utah National Guard will be flying them for the exercises," he said.

The Nevada Test and Training Range is the location for the exercise and can accommodate many aircraft at one time, allowing for a realistic training experience for the more than 200 aircraft scheduled.

Red Flag has been a major player in training U.S. forces and American allies since 1975 after the former Tactical Air Command commander, Gen. Robert Dixon, was provided evidence suggesting a pilot who successfully made it through his first 10 combat missions had a much higher chance of survival in all subsequent sorties. The general proposed the idea of new pilots attending Red Flag to complete 10 rookie missions in a realistic but controlled environment, giving them a greater chance for success and survival in a real-time war environment. The Air Force later invited allies to join in the Red Flag exercises.

"This upcoming exercise has been nicknamed 'Colonial Flag' because both the United States and Australia were once colonies of the United Kingdom," Captain Govin said. "This is the second year for Colonial Flag, and we always enjoy the esprit' de corps and camaraderie we have established with our colony allies."

This Red Flag operation will continue through the second week of February, with a one-week break between the two periods of the exercise. The break will provide time for various pilots and aircraft rotating in and out of Nellis AFB to prepare for the exercise.