Royal Air Force squadrons are participating in Red Flag, the most complex air exercise of the year which commenced at Nellis Air Force Base today.
They have joined 150 aircraft from the US armed forces and Royal Australian Air Force for three weeks of intense training in the skies above Nevada.
The vast expanse of the western United States enables air exercises on a scale simply not possible in Europe providing an unrivalled opportunity for RAF personnel to both test themselves and integrate operations with allies in the most challenging and realistic mock air battles anywhere in the world.
The RAF is a regular participant in Red Flag exercises and the high value of the training is reflected in the strong presence of RAF units in the current exercise, dubbed Red Flag 14-1. Operating in the swing role, Typhoon FGR4s from 6 Squadron, RAF Leuchars are conducting both air-air and air-ground profiles in single sorties. Parked alongside on the vast aircraft apron are Tornado GR4s from IX(B) Squadron, RAF Marham operating in the low-level strike role.
Completing the RAF team is a Sentry AEW1 of RAF Waddington based 8 Squadron which provides airborne command and control, identifying potential threats and providing dynamic management of aircraft to intercept when necessary.
Editor: Sqn Ldr Eklund
Photographs: Sgt Oldfield
IX (Bomber) Squadron from Royal Air Force Marham arrive at United States Air Force Base, Nellis, Nevada.
RAF/MOD Crown Copyright 2014
Source / Author: RAF