JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Multiple aircraft from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and participating units will be flying as RED FLAG-Alaska begins Aug. 12 and runs through Aug. 27.
RED FLAG-Alaska is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored exercise designed to provide realistic training in a simulated environment, with primary flight operations over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex.
Multiple aircraft from Eielson Air Force Base, JBER, the Royal Australian Air Force, and more than 20 units are scheduled to participate. Both fifth-generation fighter aircraft -- the F-35A Lightning from RAAF and 356th Fighter Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base, and JBER’s F-22 Raptors – will help train and integrate with other Pacific region nations.
“As with all our Red Flag exercises, we are excited to work with our joint partners and allies,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Eads, 354th Operations Group Detachment 1 commander. “During RF-A 21-3, we are hosting the RAAF, and we will continue to sharpen our lethality and refine our interoperability.”
One of the distinctions of this exercise is providing a real surface-to-air and air-to-air threat replication through the 18th Aggressors Squadron, providing a realistic opposing force by employing enemy tactics during air combat training for the fifth-generation aircraft.
“RF-A 21-3 builds on the successes of RF-A 21-2 and will provide unique opportunities to integrate various forces into joint and multilateral training from simulated forward operating bases,” Eads said. “Participants can expect to take full advantage of the JPARC and the professional adversary air capabilities of RF-A.”
With approximately 1,800 service members supporting the exercise, Eads said they are mindful of the ongoing pandemic. Their focus is on protecting service members and their families; preventing the spread of COVID-19 to U.S. forces, residents, allies, and partners; and ensuring warfighting readiness to accomplish the mission.
“In coordination with military medical and public health personnel, every aspect of RED FLAG-Alaska has been analyzed to ensure the appropriate mitigation measures are taken against COVID-19,” Eads said.
This will be the last iteration of RED FLAG-Alaska for this year.