RAF Lightnings and Typhoons have recently completed participation in Exercise Red Flag 20-1, which took place from January 27 to February 14 at Nellis AFB, Nevada.
Red Flag is a multi-national combat training exercise which is conducted on the vast bombing ranges of the Nevada Test and Training Area. This is the first time that the UK’s F-35 Lightnings have taken part in the exercise, which saw them flying alongside a variety of aircraft from other nations, providing aircrews the experience of multiple, intensive air combat sorties in the safety of a training environment to maximise combat readiness, capability and interoperability.
RAF Marham Station Commander, Gp Capt Jim Beck said “This is another first for the Lightning Force and will give the opportunity for our pilots to really put the F-35s to the test in a combat representative environment. This training is as near to high-end operational flying as our pilots can get in a controlled environment and will really test them and the teams that support the squadron.”
The RAF issued the accompanying photographs on February 19.
A 617 Sqn pilot returns from a combat training mission during Exercise Red Flag. Senior Aircraftman Amy Lupton RAF
An EA-18G Growler from the Electronic Attack Squadron 131 (VAQ-131) of the US Navy, heads for refuelling, during a training mission whilst taking part in Exercise Red Flag. Senior Aircraftman Amy Lupton RAF
