'Red Flag-Nellis' Intensive Fighter Training Underway in Nevada

Six Royal Air Force FGR-4 Typhoons prepare to land for ‘Red Flag-Nellis 24-1’ at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, on January 10. [Courtesy: U.S. Air Force]

Aircrews from the U.S., British, and Australian air forces launched Red Flag intensive fighter training Monday in Nevada for exercises aiming to boost their interoperability.

The large-scale exercise—dubbed "Red Flag 24-1"—will focus on overcoming pacing challenges with allies in the Indo-Pacific theater, the Air Force said. The realistic combat training exercise has nearly 2,000 participants, about 100 aircraft, and personnel from 30 U.S. and allied units, including the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

A Royal Air Force FGR-4 Typhoon lands at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, on January 10, 2024, in preparation for ‘Red Flag-Nellis 24-’1. Red Flag exercises provide aircrews the experience of multiple, intensive air combat sorties in the safety of a training environment. [Courtesy: U.S. Air Force]

A U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler assigned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, arrives for ‘Red Flag-Nellis 24-1’ at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, on January 10, 2024. [Courtesy: U.S. Air Force]

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During the event, Red Flag participants will undergo a range of combat environment scenarios, including defensive counter air, offensive counter air suppression of enemy air defenses, as well as offensive counter air-to-air interdiction, the service said.

“Training prioritizes first timer’s combat missions, mission commander upgrades, integration, and flag unique experiences that contribute most to readiness and partnering,” said Colonel Eric Winterbottom, commander of the 414th Combat Training Squadron based at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

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The Royal Air Force's presence in the exercise includes eight Typhoon fighters, a Voyager air-to-air refueling aircraft, a rivet joint aircrew, and air operation controllers.

[Courtesy: Royal Air Force]

RAAF said it has deployed about 150 of its personnel, along with six F-35A Lightning II fighters, marking the first time the country's fighter jets have participated in the exercises.

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“Generations of RAAF aviators have come to this exercise since 1980, and it continues to evolve and reflect the threats and challenges faced on modern operations," said RAAF Wing Commander Adrian Kiely, commanding officer of 3 Squadron Wing. “Exercise ‘Red Flag Nellis’ will test every facet of our F-35A capability, allow us to integrate with our American and British allies, and practice how we project force on combat operations.”

One of the world’s toughest air combat training environments, Exercise Red Flag Nellis 24-1, has now begun.#AusAirForce 🇦🇺 aviators have joined counterparts from @usairforce 🇺🇸 and @RoyalAirForce 🇬🇧 to hone their war-fighting skills.#RFNAFB #OurPartners @NellisAFB pic.twitter.com/T6dXe72LEk
— Royal Australian Air Force (@AusAirForce) January 16, 2024

Red Flag exercises began at Nellis AFB in 1975, deploying lessons learned from Vietnam in order to expose military pilots to combat missions and increase their effectiveness and confidence. Exercises typically include a variety of attack, fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and aerial refueling aircraft.

Red Flag 24-1 is set to conclude February 2.