The Evolution of RED FLAG-Alaska 13-3

Republic of Korea Air Force F-15K Slam Eagle and Japan Air Self Defense Force F-15 Eagle aircraft park prior to take off during RED FLAG-Alaska 13-3 Aug. 12, 2013, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. RF-A enables joint and international units to sharpen their combat skills by flying simulated combat sorties in a realistic threat environment. Additionally, the training allows them to exchange tactics, techniques, and procedures and improve interoperability.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Miguel lara/Released)

Aircrews kick off Red Flag-Alaska 10-2

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFNS) -- The initial briefings and familiarization flights are complete and now pilots and aircrews are participating in world-class aerial combat training over Alaska until the end of April.

Officials here are hosting Red Flag-Alaska 10-2. Air Force units from Barksdale Air Force Base, La.; Kunsan Air Base, South Korea; Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.; and McConnell AFB, Kan., have arrived to participate in the exercise. AV-8B Harriers from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. also are participating and will conduct strike training missions. Fighter units and airborne command and control units will be operating from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.

Red Flag-Alaska is a large-forces exercise conducted over 10 days in interior Alaska to simulate aerial combat. Aircrews will be operating in the 67,000 square-mile Joint Alaska Pacific Range Complex. The JPARC offers adequate space and ranges for crews to simulate full-scale aerial battles. Coalition partners along with servicemembers from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces have participated in past exercises.

U.S., Japanese F-15 pilots train for Red Flag-Alaska

by Tech. Sgt. Angelique Perez, 18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) -- U.S. and Japanese F-15 pilots began day and night air-refueling training July 27 and will continue through Aug. 7 in preparation for the Red Flag-Alaska exercise in October.

Instructor pilots from Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., and Yokota Air Base, Japan, joined KC-135 Stratotanker teams from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron here to train 18 Japan Air Self Defense Forces pilots on how to refuel safely, as well as help them regain their currencies for Red Flag-Alaska.

This training is beneficial to both the U.S. Air Force and JASDF, said Capt. Scott Taylor, an instructor pilot with the 95th Fighter Squadron from Tyndall AFB.

"This also allows us to observe JASDF tactics and compare them with our tactics to ensure we are able to operate effectively together as a coalition," the captain said.

Red Flag-Alaska is a large coalition exercise that involves many aircraft in complex missions. The exercise provides U.S. and coalition forces an opportunity to train together, improving readiness for wartime coalition missions.

"Air-to-air refueling is an essential skill for JASDF and U.S. pilots to allow for force projection," Captain Taylor said. "This training will allow them to safely deploy their jets to Alaska. During the exercise, it will allow them to get the gas they need to make it to the fight and have plenty of time to accomplish the objectives."

The JASDF pilots have executed the training well, said Maj. Marcelo Morales, an instructor pilot with the 13th Air Force, Det. 1 from Yokota AB.

"Hopefully after this exercise we will all have learned to work more effectively with each other, not just pilot to pilot, controller to pilot, but also on the equipment, data link and maintenance ends," Major Morales said. "What we practice now will pay dividends in the future when we train or when we actually execute as a coalition air force."

JASDF Lt. Col. Osamu Uemori, commander of the 303rd Tactical Fighter Squadron from Komatsu Air Base, Japan, said JASDF pilots are looking forward to training in Alaska because there are fewer air restrictions there as opposed to Japan.

"It is so valuable for JASDF pilots to fly in an environment that allows them to execute a variety of training scenarios," Colonel Uemori said. "During this joint training, we have been learning specific techniques to help us brush up on our skills; it will also bring us a marked improvement for air defense capability."

Colonel Uemori said they have received a great deal of support from the U.S. instructor pilots who have advised them on techniques not only for air-refueling, but also for Red Flag Alaska.

"I believe Red Flag Alaska is valuable for both the pilots and Japan Self Defense Forces to enhance our main fighter aircraft -- the F-15s -- capability in the future," he added.

"Operating in the environment in the world today it's important that we can accomplish objectives with coalition partners, not just the U.S. or JASDF alone," Captain Taylor said. "JASDF are definitely an important player in coalition forces out there. The U.S. can't go in and accomplish the mission alone."

Red Flag-Alaska begins 2009 season

Aggressor aircraft, like this F-15 Eagle from the 65th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., will be challenging aircraft from units participating in the upcoming Red Flag-Alaska 09-2, scheduled to begin April 16 over the Pacific Alaskan Range. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Tana Stevenson)

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFNS) -- Approximately 1,400 U.S. and foreign participants will be arriving at Eielson and Elmendorf Air Force bases beginning April 13 to participate in Red Flag-Alaska 09-2, scheduled for April 16 to May 1.

Red Flag-Alaska, a series of Pacific Air Forces commander-directed field training exercises for U.S. Forces, provides joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close-air support, and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment. These exercises are conducted on the Joint Pacific Alaskan Range complex with air operations flown out of the two bases. Alaska's size enables the military to have the largest air-ground training complex in America.

Air forces for Red Flag-Alaska 09-2 include participants from the U.S. Air Force, France, and NATO. Units are organized as an air expeditionary wing at Eielson with a subordinate air expeditionary group at Elmendorf.

Following Red Flag-Alaska 09-2, a second period is scheduled for July 23 to Aug. 7.