Red Flag-Alaska begins 2009 season

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UNITED STATES - 31 March 2009

ELMENDORF U.S. 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.

Aggressor aircraft, like this U.S. Air Force 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.

 

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Will we be going?

 

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Kunsan Fighters Participate in Red Flag-Alaska
16 April 2009

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of South Korea --- Approximately 150 Airmen from the 8th Fighter Wing are at Eielsen Air Force Base, Alaska to participate in Red Flag-Alaska.

Red Flag-Alaska is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored exercise for U.S. Forces. It provides joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close-air support and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment.

"The training Red Flag-Alaska provides is critical to maintaining our combat capability." said Lt. Col. Steven Kennel, 35th Fighter Squadron commander

On an average, more than 700 people and up to 60 aircraft deploy to Eielson, and an additional 500 people and 40 aircraft deploy to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, for each Red Flag-Alaska exercise. Most participating Red Flag-Alaska units arrive a week prior to the actual exercise. During that time, aircrews may fly one or two range orientation flights, make physical and mental preparations, review local flying restrictions, receive local safety and survival briefings and work on developing orientation plans.

According to Colonel Kennel, Red Flag-Alaska provides 19 separate Large Force Employment missions integrating French Mirage 2000s, F-16 Fighting Falcons, C-17 Globemaster IIIs, C-130 Hercules, EA-6B Prowlers, E-3 Sentries and KC-10 Extenders into a complex training scenario.

In 2008, more than 2,000 service-members deployed to Red Flag-Alaska, and participating aircrews flew close to 2,000 missions. In addition to the Air Force participants, Royal Air Force Tornadoes, Nimrods, VC-10s and Jaguars, as well as Army, Marine and Japanese Air Self Defense Force Stinger Teams also took part.

"The intense planning, preparation, execution and debriefing with our NATO allies for each mission will provide our pilots with invaluable combat preparation," said Colonel Kennel. "This will be 12 of our 24 pilots' first Red Flag deployment."

Aircrews aren't the only ones who benefit from the Red Flag-Alaska experience. The exercise provide an operational training environment for participants such as intelligence Airmen, maintenance crews and command and control elements.

"We are planning to employ the entire spectrum of weapons from our F-16s -- GBU-10, 12 and 24s; GBU-31s and 38s; JDAMs; Mk-82s and 84s; 20mm cannon rounds; and AGM-65 Mavericks," said Colonel Kennel. "This will allow our weapons troops to load our aircraft, validate our jet systems, and allow each pilot to drop at least one inert and one live full-scale weapons employment.

"The three Red Flag Alaska bombing ranges provide the opportunity for the 35th Fighter Squadron to drop its entire 2009 munitions allocation; something we are unable to do in Korea due to local range restrictions," he said.

During the two-week employment phase of the exercise, aircrews are subjected to every conceivable combat threat. Scenarios are shaped to meet each exercise's specific training objectives. All units are involved in the development of exercise training objectives. At the height of the exercise, up to 70 jet fighters can be operating in the same airspace at one time.

Members of the 35th Fighter Squadron will also be participating in Distant Frontier Weapons Training Deployment where they will fly 142 sorties.

Red Flag-Alaska runs through April 18.

 

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French air forces arrive for Red Flag-Alaska
16 April 2009

A Mirage 2000 fighter from Luxeuil Air Base, France, taxis to a parking spot April 14 at Eielson U.S. Air Force Base, Alaska. Realistic combat training, such as that during a Red Flag-Alaska exercise, is vital to the success of air and space operations.



Two fighter pilots from Luxeuil Air Base, France, walk off the tarmac at Eielson U.S. Air Force Base, Alaska, April 14. French air force members arrived at Eielson AFB to participate in Red Flag-Alaska, a military exercise conducted on the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex enabling the military to have the largest air-ground training area in the United States.



A crew chief from Luxeuil Air Base, France, speaks to a Mirage 2000 pilot April 14 at Eielson U.S. Air Force Base, Alaska. French air force personnel arrived at Eielson AFB to participate in Red-Flag Alaska, which provides unique opportunities to integrate various forces into joint, coalition, and bilateral training from simulated forward operating bases.

 

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Red Flag minimizes jet noise
Brig. Gen. Mark W. Graper

Published Wednesday, April 15, 2009

The first Red Flag-Alaska exercise of 2009 begins Thursday and will run through May 1. During these two-and-a-half weeks, approximately 40 U. S. Air Force and Allied aircraft and about 950 service members will be deployed to Eielson Air Force Base to participate in Pacific Air Forces’ premier air combat exercise.

Airmen in the skies above the Interior will engage in mock air combat designed to prepare them for real-world operations in Iraq, Afghanistan or wherever national security requirements may take them.

As we begin our exercise, flying activity will increase as more military aircraft take to the skies from Eielson, as well as from Elmendorf Air Force Base.

Past experience has shown that noise complaints typically increase during these large flying exercises. As the installation commander of Eielson, and an airman who is privileged to serve in the Great Land, I want you to know we make every attempt to be good neighbors and responsible stewards of the training airspace over Interior Alaska. I appreciate the great support we receive from our civic partners and want to keep your trust.

How do we minimize jet noise?

First, we thoroughly brief visiting aviators on all Federal Aviation Administration and local airspace restrictions and “rules of the road” — the confines of our working areas, minimum and maximum operating altitudes, where supersonic flight is allowed and so forth.

Second, the initial flying day of the exercise is devoted to familiarization flights. These flights serve two functions: They increase safety, and they reinforce local flying procedures and restrictions.

Third, while airspace violations are infrequent, when they do occur we take prompt action to prevent a reoccurrence. We set high standards and hold all of our crews accountable.

If, despite our best efforts, you have concerns about noise or property damage, please contact the 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office at 377-2116. Our professionals will address your concerns and work to provide you an official response within 72 hours.

Ultimately, your support is what allows Eielson to offer world-class training opportunities to American and Allied forces. The preparation our combat aviation forces receive here will go a long way toward ensuring their success in combat. Alaskans can be proud of the role they play in our national defense by supporting our ongoing training exercises.

Brig. Gen. Mark W. Graper is a command-rated pilot with more than 2,600 flying hours and has served as the commander of the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson Air Force Base since 2007.

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