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BULLSEYE Creech News 3August 7, 2015
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U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nadine Barclay
Staff Sgt. Lloyd (left), an 18th Reconnaissance Squadron MQ-1B Predator sensor operator, and Capt. Benjamin, an 18th RS Predator pilot, fly a remotely piloted aircraft training sortie
in support of Red Flag 15-3 at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., July 23. The goal of participating in Red Flag exercises was to fully integrate RPAs into large force exercises and to educate
other major weapon systems communities on the RPA capabilities.
RED FLAG, from page 1 ________ Fighting Falcons, F-15 Eagles and F-15E and combat search and rescue scenarios. aircrews were also observed by instructors
Strike Eagles. In addition to the integration with to allow maximum information exchange
conducted on the vast bombing and gun- between aircrew and Combined Air Opera-
nery ranges of the Nevada Test and Train- The exercise also gave Airmen the oppor- manned assets, RPA Airmen were able to tions Center.
ing Range. The exercise is part of a series of tunity to join forces with sister service assets gather more insight on operations from a
advanced training programs administered suchastheNavy’s EA-18GGrowlers,F/A-18 ground point of view. “We observe over the shoulder for safety.
by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center and Hornets, MH-60 Sikorsky and the Marine Just like a spotter does in the gym, we make
Nellis AFB, and executed through the 414th Corp’s EA-6B Prowlers to accomplish Red “Flying the aircraft remotely from the sure you are doing things correctly but the
Combat Training Squadron. Flag exercise mission objectives. ground gave us access to a variety of com- pilot and sensor are running the show,”
munication mediums that manned assets Benjamin said.
“There was definitely a learning curve The Predator carries the Multi-Spectral don’t have access to while in flight,” Johnny
in the beginning, but we really added value Targeting System, which integrates an in- said. “By the last week of the exercise, we The Red Flag exercise is a training tool
to the scenarios as the exercise progressed,” frared sensor, color/monochrome daylight were instrumental in many scenarios and used to build confidence, familiarity and
said Maj. Johnny, the 18th RS Red Flag TV camera, image-intensified TV camera, especially during Combat Search and Res- relationships among Defense Department
Detachment commander. “During the first laser designator and laser illuminator. The cue (CSAR) scenarios.” warfighters to include those with little to no
week, we had to spend a lot of time carving full-motion video from each of the imaging experience partnering with other aircraft or
out a role forourselves, asthemajorityof the sensors can be viewed as separate video To enhance working familiarity between ground personnel.
players were unfamiliar with what we could streams or fused. The aircraft can employ joint and allied partners, Creech sensor
do and how we employ. As the exercise two laser-guided missiles, Air-to-Ground operators contributed toend-of-day aircrew “Our ultimate goal when selecting crews
progressed, you could see the mission com- Missile-114 Hellfire, that possess highly out briefs to discuss lessons learned. for the exercise was to get younger pilots and
manders start to utilize us in a larger role. “ accurate, low-collateral damage, and anti- sensor operators involved so that we could
armor, anti-personnel engagement capa- “Most of the other players don’t know get them that experience level of working
This isn’t the first time the RPAs have bilities. about what RPAs do,” said Staff Sgt. Llyod, with joint assets before they are required
participated in the Red Flag exercise. How- 18th RS MQ-1 Predator sensor operator. to perform these operations real world,”
ever, Airmen noticed a change in how they “We participated in this Red Flag to give “They don’t know what we can bring to the Benjamin said.
met their goal of fully integrating RPAs into our aircrew the training experience of being fight but seeing them face to face allows us
large force exercises, which is to educate and integrated with other players and showcase to educate the other participants of Red Overall, more than 27 aircrew members
familiarize other major weapon systems what we bring to the fight and learn what Flag and learn more than we could of from from Creech AFB participated in addition
communities on the RPA capabilities. they bring all while integrating to accom- Creech.” to numerous maintenance personnel, intel-
plish a specific mission set,” Benjamin said. ligence analysts, security forces members
The Predator was among other elite During debriefs, aircrews are evaluated and aircraft communication maintenance
aircraft participating in the Red Flag exer- Daily missions vary in complex- on how effective they performed against squadron personnel.
cise, which included B-52 Stratofortresses, ity and severity but focus on building targets, how effective the threat picture was
KC-135 Stratotankers, F-22 Raptors, F-16 skills in dynamic targeting, global at defeating their team as well as how they Editor’s note: Full names were not pro-
strike missions, counter-air missions, performed individually. vided for the safety and security of those
involved.
For training purposes, Red Flag RPA
