Page 6 - Nellis Creech NTTR Bullseye 2-12-16

6 February 12, 2016 Feature BULLSEYE

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Red Flag: Then, now U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kevin Tanenbaum

By Airman 1st Class Nathan Byrnes commander of Tactical Air Command. Col. Richard
“Moody” Suter was the driving force in Red Flag’s
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs inception; after conferring with Dixon, and other
leaders, Red Flag was adopted. In theory, aircrews
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — During the would be getting the experience but avoiding the
Vietnam War (1962-1973) the U.S. Air Force lost risk accompanied with those deadly first ten combat
approximately 1,737 aircraft in combat. It was a sorties and ensuring that no matter what conflict
number that was unacceptable and an area that the might arise in the future, our aircrews were already
Air Force knew it needed to improve on. ten sorties into the flow.

A study was launched into the matter, and the “It aimed to enhance the performance of U.S. Air
results indicated that the first ten combat sorties Force fighter pilots and weapon systems officers after
proved to be the most dangerous for aircrews. The studies comparing the Vietnam War to previous
Air Force then came up with a better way to prepare wars revealed that improvement was necessary,”
for combat and the answer was, Red Flag. said Dan Wheaton, 57th Wing historian.

Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise “The first Red Flag not only served as a training
involving the air forces of the United States and its exercise but also demonstrated the capabilities of the
allies. The training exercise is coordinated at Nel- United States Air Force Tactical Fighter Weapons
lis AFB and conducted on the 15,000 square mile Center-assigned units to conduct such a program
Nevada Test and Training Range. and its feasibility. “

It is one of a series of advanced training pro- Today, aircraft and personnel deploy to Nellis
grams administered by the United States Air Force AFB for Red Flag under the Air Expeditionary Force
Warfare Center at Nellis AFB and executed by the concept and make up the exercise’s “Blue” forces. By
414th Combat Training Squadron.
____________See THEN, NOW, on page 7
Red Flag was established in 1975 as one of the
initiatives directed by Gen. Robert J. Dixon, former

An F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot positions for take-off during Red Flag 16-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan 25.
This mock battle in the skies over the Nevada Test and Training Range has yielded results that will increase
the combat capability of our armed forces for any future combat situation.

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