Kadena Air Base Fighter Squadron Participates in Red Flag Exercise
By Tech. Sgt. Rey Ramon18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan - Airmen and weapons systems from around the world, to include 12 F-15 Eagles and more than 160 personnel from Kadena's 44th Fighter Squadron, will converge on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., from Jan. 18 to Feb. 5 to participate in Red Flag, the world's preeminent aerial combat training exercise.
"Red Flag is considered the premier aerial training event worldwide," said Lt. Col. Brian Farrar, 44th Fighter Squadron commander. "So the practice we'll get there is a close as we can possibly get to combat without actually going into combat."
The large force employment for Red Flag will involve numerous aircraft training together in mountainous terrain and unfamiliar airspace. Other American assets participating in the exercise include F-22 Raptors from Holloman AFB, N.M., and Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, along with F-15s from the 48th Fighter Wing stationed at Royal Air Force Station Lakenheath, England, and F-16 Falcons and F-18 Hornets from Nellis AFB, amongst others. The British Royal Air Force is sending Sea Harriers from RAF Cottesmore.
According to the colonel, Red Flag affords the 44th FS the opportunity to see and measure themselves against state-of-the-art threats, everything from aerial tactics to electronic attacks.
This article was originally published at: http://www.pacaf.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123185663
(Posted Jan. 15, 2010)