Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise that provides an excellent opportunity for the Air Force’s F-111 and F/A-18 air and ground crews to hone their skills with the United States Air Force and other allied nations at one of the best combat training facilities in the world. The advanced training program administered by the United Stated Air Force 414th Combat Training Squadron is conducted on the vast bombing and gunnery ranges at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, USA. The area is a dedicated Defence overland training area allowing supersonic flight and the release of a wide range of air-to-ground ordnance.

Red Flag was established in 1975 and aims to maximise the combat readiness, capability and survivability of participating units by providing realistic training in a combined air, ground and electronic threat environment while providing for a free exchange of ideas between forces.

Group Captain Bill Henman, Officer Commanding 81 Wing from RAAF Williamtown will command the Air Combat Group deployment to Red Flag. “Participating in Red Flag is a great opportunity for Air Combat Group and will be a major milestone in the training of our air combat aviators. Red Flag also provides invaluable training for our logistics and maintenance personnel as they are able to practice deploying to another country and working together with other Air Forces” he said.

The large scale exercise will involve experienced aircrews from the different countries flying Strike, Attack, Electronic Warfare, Tactical Transport, Fighter Escort, Airborne Warning and Control and Air to Air refueling aircraft against dedicated defensive fighter aircraft and an extensive range of simulated Surface to Air threats.

The deployment of personnel and aircraft from RAAF Amberley in Queensland and RAAF Williamtown in New South Wales to Exercise Red Flag will be the first overseas deployment of a combined Air Combat Group force with both F-111 and F/A-18 aircraft. Australian Squadrons have participated in Ex Red Flag approximately every two years since 1980.

The last time the F-111 took part in Ex Red Flag was in 2002, where Air Combat Group deployed approximately 120 personnel and six F-111C aircraft from No. 1SQN RAAF Amberley. The F-111 ground and aircrews planned and flew 118 out of 118 missions in Red Flag, being the only crews to achieve a 100 percent sortie rate at the end of the exercise. This year will be the first time the Australia has sent F/A-18 Hornet aircraft to take part in the exercise.