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DefenceTalk<\/p>\nDefenceTalk<\/p>\n
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah: The 388th Fighter Wing\u2019s 4th Fighter Squadron, along with Reservists from the 419th FW, returned to Hill Air Force Base, Aug. 22, after three weeks of training in Alaska, including Red Flag 20-3 at Eielson Air Force Base.<\/p>\n
Red Flag is a large force combat exercise that takes place several times each year at both Eielson AFB and Nellis AFB, Nevada, where a friendly \u201cBlue Force\u201d takes on an enemy \u201cRed Force\u201d over several days in a variety of taxing, combat-realistic scenarios.<\/p>\n
Red Flag was originally designed after the Vietnam War to provide younger pilots experience before heading into combat. It still does, but it also provides a validation of an entire squadron\u2019s readiness \u2013 from pilots, to maintainers, intelligence and other support personnel.<\/p>\n
During this exercise, the 4th FS integrated with F-35A Lightning IIs from Eielson AFB and F-22 Raptors from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; B-1B Lancers from Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota; KC-135 Stratotankers from Fairchild AFB, Washington; and special operations forces on the ground.<\/p>\n
This was the first all fifth-generation fighter force at Red Flag, and included scenarios that focused on \u201cDay One of the war,\u201d said Capt. Christian Lindenberg, F-35 pilot and the 4th FS project officer for Red Flag. <\/p>\n
Preparing and deploying in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, and executing at a high level, was a testament to the adaptability and resilience of the entire squadron and aircraft maintenance unit, said Lt. Col. Joshua Arki, 4th Fighter Squadron commander.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was the first time the F-35 participated in Red Flag Alaska. Our jets and integrated operations and maintenance team performed phenomenally,\u201d Arki said. \u201cCoupled with our joint team \u2013 consisting of the F-22 Raptor, command and control elements, and special operations forces on the ground \u2013 the enemy did not stand a chance in the training scenarios. We expect the same outcome if called upon to execute this mission in combat.\u201d<\/p>\n
The squadron generated and flew up to 16 sorties each training day during the exercise, but flying is just half the battle for young pilots at Red Flag. The real test often comes in mission planning and debriefing.<\/p>\n
A typical mission-planning day starts at 5 a.m. and lasts for approximately 12 hours.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s where we find out what the objective is, what other assets we have to work with and decide what our game plan will be,\u201d Lindenberg said.<\/p>\n
The day of the mission starts with another pre-dawn brief from the mission commander and flight leads, and then it\u2019s time to go \u201ckick down the door\u201d with a mass of joint air power, Lindenberg said. After the mission is complete, the most critical training element for pilots begins \u2013 reviewing and deconstructing the mission.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is the most valuable part of any sortie,\u201d Lindenberg said. \u201cIt\u2019s where we pinpoint what we could\u2019ve done better even if the mission was a success. In an environment like Red Flag, where we work together with aircraft and personnel, we don\u2019t normally fly with on a regular basis, we learn how to best capitalize on everyone\u2019s strengths to create an imposing force of offensive counter-air.\u201d<\/p>\n
First Lt. Alex Best graduated the F-35 basic pilot training course in June and joined 4th FS. Six weeks later he was flying with a large, integrated force in the Air Force\u2019s premier combat exercise.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a little overwhelming, just the sheer number of aircraft and the size of the training range is amazing,\u201d Best said. \u201cI am confident in the F-35\u2019s capabilities. But, the bigger takeaway for me was the caliber of all the Airmen I\u2019m flying with. That\u2019s what makes me confident we can win any fight. Their skill and preparation is unmatched and a large exercise like this really highlights that experience.\u201d<\/p>\n