NEW DELHI: Eight Indian Rafale fighter jets, along with two IL-78 air-to-air refueler and three C-17 Globemaster-III strategic airlift aircraft, are now set to soar high in the top-notch multi-nation `Red Flag’ exercise in Alaska in the US.
The IAF aircraft undertook a transatlantic flight, with staging halts at Greece and Portugal, to touch down at the Eielson USAF Base in Alaska on Thursday.“Exercise Red Flag is a two-week advanced aerial combat training exercise, aimed at integrating aircrew in a multinational environment,” an IAF officer said.
The IAF has taken part in the Red Flag exercise, which is considered to be the most realistic air combat exercise with fighter pilots honing their skills with thousands of targets, realistic threat systems and an opposing enemy force, two times in the past.
Over 100 aircraft from four nations, along with around 3,100 personnel to fly, operate and maintain them, will take part in this edition of the Red Flag exercise from June 1 to June 14.
“Red Flag-Alaska is designed to provide realistic training in a simulated combat environment, enabling joint combined forces to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures while improving interoperability with fellow service members,” the USAF said.
“The training spans from individual skills to complex, large-scale joint engagements. The exercises can be adapted to integrate various forces into a realistic threat environment using the more than 77,000 square miles of airspace in the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, which is the largest combat training range in the world,” it added.
The IAF has been regularly participating in air combat exercises with other countries. These include multi-nation exercises like the ‘Iniochos’ in Greece, the ‘Orion’ in France, ‘Blue Flag’ in Israel, ‘Pitch Black’ in Australia, and ‘Desert Flag’ in the UAE.
“Taking part in international exercises helps in understanding the latest developments in tactical and operational employment of air power as well as learn the best practices of various air forces. It also helps build interoperability and enhance cooperation with different countries,” a senior officer said.
The IAF aircraft undertook a transatlantic flight, with staging halts at Greece and Portugal, to touch down at the Eielson USAF Base in Alaska on Thursday.“Exercise Red Flag is a two-week advanced aerial combat training exercise, aimed at integrating aircrew in a multinational environment,” an IAF officer said.
The IAF has taken part in the Red Flag exercise, which is considered to be the most realistic air combat exercise with fighter pilots honing their skills with thousands of targets, realistic threat systems and an opposing enemy force, two times in the past.
Over 100 aircraft from four nations, along with around 3,100 personnel to fly, operate and maintain them, will take part in this edition of the Red Flag exercise from June 1 to June 14.
“Red Flag-Alaska is designed to provide realistic training in a simulated combat environment, enabling joint combined forces to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures while improving interoperability with fellow service members,” the USAF said.
“The training spans from individual skills to complex, large-scale joint engagements. The exercises can be adapted to integrate various forces into a realistic threat environment using the more than 77,000 square miles of airspace in the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, which is the largest combat training range in the world,” it added.
The IAF has been regularly participating in air combat exercises with other countries. These include multi-nation exercises like the ‘Iniochos’ in Greece, the ‘Orion’ in France, ‘Blue Flag’ in Israel, ‘Pitch Black’ in Australia, and ‘Desert Flag’ in the UAE.
“Taking part in international exercises helps in understanding the latest developments in tactical and operational employment of air power as well as learn the best practices of various air forces. It also helps build interoperability and enhance cooperation with different countries,” a senior officer said.