They hesitate before they say it, but many veterans of the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and even the 1991 Gulf War reluctantly admit that their Red Flag experience in the skies over Nevada was tougher than anything they faced in actual combat. This is exactly what Air Force and Red Flag commanders want to hear, because the goal of USAF's premier combat training exercise is to subject airmen to the most extreme environments imaginable—but over friendly territory. That way, aircrews that go to war overseas are battle tested and familiar with the capabilities and problems of the forces around them. Stress, confusion, and the "fog of war" will be nothing new, and life-threatening mistakes are reduced. This spring, a new version of Red Flag was held in the Air Force's vast training ranges north of Nellis AFB, Nev., and at dozens of other sites nationwide. The first-ever Joint Red Flag (JRF) provided combat training that went far beyond stylized dogfights between friendly "Blue" and hostile "Red" fighter forces. Joint Red Flag was the Air Force's largest realistic training event of the year, and it represented the largest-ever use of simulators for training. More than 10,000 people participated at 44 sites nationwide.
展开▼
