IT was a real coalition effort in the skies over the Nevada desert for Exercise Red Flag in September.

C-130H Hercules and F-111 aircraft and crews from the Royal Australian Air Force joined forces with the USA, Israel, Italy, Singapore and Canada in mock combat missions during the two-week exercise.

Red Flag provided a unique opportunity to plan and fly with the full range of air power assets likely to be seen in a coalition environment. This included dedicated OCA, SEAD and AWACS support.

This environment is rarely available for Australian Air Force crews and the experience was invaluable.

“Although this was only an exercise, with 75 aircraft launching from Nellis Air Force Base, twice per day, with live munitions, there was little margin for error,” No. 86 Wing Detachment Commander Wing Commander Don Sutherland said.

The C-130H crews joined with transport elements of the United States, Italian, and Canadian air forces to deliver real airdrop cargo into the area of operations.

“Although we don’t fly in formation together, it was crucial for us to keep the transport train as short as possible to allow the fighter and SEAD aircraft to provide us with support against air and ground threats,” WGCDR Sutherland said.

The facilities at the Nellis range near Las Vegas are second to none.

“We often simulate ground radar and missile threats when we train out the back of NSW,” C-130H navigator Flight Lieutenant Nick Hogan said. “But to actually see an inbound enemy aircraft or receive warning of a missile threat and activate the chaff and flares in response is the realistic training we value.”

Teamwork and coordination among air and ground crews was also crucial during these periods of intense activity. While the aircrew were busy planning and flying missions, the ground crew were busy in the 40-degrees heat, turning and repairing aircraft.

“The maintenance crews worked around the clock to give us top condition aircraft,” WGCDR Sutherland said.
“In this exercise, as in every operation, our ability to generate assets to deliver ammunition, food and personnel in theatre is a significant achievement.”

Aside from the flying, the chance to work as a coalition is something No. 36 Squadron is getting to know well.

“It is interesting to think that while half of our Squadron is busy supporting Operation Slipper overseas, the other half is building combat skills and knowledge in the United States,” FLTLT Hogan said. “I’m sure that this will put us in good stead for future operations.”

SGT Glen McCarthy took most of the photographs on these pages.

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