Green Flag 13-2

Airman 1st Class Shakera Whatley, 187th Maintenance Squadron munitions journeyman, Alabama Air National Guard, prepares to load armament onto an F-16 Fighting Falcon during the Green Flag exercise Oct. 29, 2012, at Nellis AFB, Nev. Green Flag-West is a realistic air-land integration combat training exercise held at US Army Combat Training Center at Ft. Irwin, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lawrence Crespo)

Green Flag 13-2

U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew members from the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., review flight plans at the Green Flag operations desk prior to an training mission Oct. 31, 2012, at Nellis AFB, Nev. Green Flag-West 13-2 is a realistic air-land integration combat training exercise held at U.S. Army Combat Training Center at Ft. Irwin, Calif. includes 3,000 flights and the expenditure of over 700,00 pounds of live and training ordnance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lawrence Crespo)

Green Flag 12-8

U.S. Marine Cpl.Jose Hernandez, Marine Attack Squadron 513 aircraft engine mechanic from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., marshals a Harrier piloted by Capt. Paul Truog, also of MAS-513, during Green Flag 12-8 June 20, 2012, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Conducted by the 549th Combat Training Squadron at Nellis and the 12th Combat Training Squadron at Fort Irwin, Cal., Green Flag West provides a realistic close-air support training environment for Airmen and Soldiers preparing to deploy in support of combat operations in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. William P.Coleman)

Green Flag 12-8

U.S. Marine Cpl. Steven White, Marine Attack Squadron 513 aviation mechanic from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., marshals a AV-8B Harrier during Green Flag 12-8 June 20, 2012, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The Harriers flew training missions that improved their ability to support U.S. Air Force Joint Terminal Air Controllers, Airmen on the ground who were in turn training on their ability to call in air strikes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. William P.Coleman)

Green Flag 12-8

U.S. Air Force Capt. James Wentzel, 14th Fighter Squadron pilot from Misawa Air Base, Japan, performs communication checks with his crew chief before taking part in Green Flag-West 12-8, June 17, 2012, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Green Flag-West's participants train across the spectrum of conflict, partnering with the United States Army at Fort Irwin to practice complex air defense scenarios while supporting high-intensity ground operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daniel Hughes/Released)

Green Flag 12-8

U.S. Air Force Capt. Dale Weller, 14th Fighter Squadron pilot from Misawa Air Base, Japan, finishes the post-flight checklist during Green Flag-West 12-8, June 19, 2012, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. On average, all four DOD services, including their National Guard and reserve components, participate in two Green Flag exercises each year. Air forces of other countries participate in one or more designated coalition exercises annually. Green Flag exercises provide critical joint training for approximately 75,000 joint and coalition personnel per year. This includes 3,000 sorties, 6,000 flight hours, and the expenditure of over 700,000 pounds of live and training ordnance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daniel Hughes/Released)