DTN News - ISRAELI DEFENSE NEWS: Israeli Air Force To Host Major Multinational Exercise

DTN News - ISRAELI DEFENSE NEWS: Israeli Air Force To Host Major Multinational Exercise  

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Arie Egozi, Tel Aviv - Flight
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 9, 2013: The Israeli air force is planning to stage its largest ever multinational exercise, with at least five foreign air forces due to participate. To be mounted from Uvda air base, the manoeuvres are expected to involve "dozens" of different types of combat aircraft, local sources says.

In recent years, the Israeli air force has trained in several different countries in Europe, but this will be the first time that full squadrons from foreign nations will go to Israel to perform such a major exercise.

One air force source says that while the planned exercise may look like a local copy of the US Air Force's "Red Flag" series of exercises, it will differ by including the availability of unspecified "Israeli elements".

In preparation for hosting the multinational activity, the Israeli air force recently performed a major exercise, dubbed "Blue Flag", in which Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters from its "Flying Dragon" squadron acted in the aggressor role.

Israeli sources say many air forces are willing to join the multinational exercise, mainly because of the host nation's recent operational experience. The Israeli air force was heavily involved in the "Pillar of Defense" operation against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip late last year, with the service having attacked 1,500 targets and used 2,000 weapons across different types.

The Israel Defense Force/Air Force ordered a total of 362 F-16s, from early F-16A/Bs to the latest F-16I. Fifty of these aircraft were surplus USAF aircraft, given to Israel by the US as payment for restraint during the 1991 Gulf War despite Scud attacks. All Israeli F-16s are fitted with custom Israeli electronics.

Israeli F-16s have been used extensively in combat, and scored 47 kills to date. They were also used in the bombing of the Iraq's nuclear reactor in Osirak.

In August of 1978, when the Carter Administration's arms sales restrictions policy had reached its zenith, the government of Israel announced plans to acquire 75 F-16A/B's. The fact that Israel had just signed the Camp David agreements with Egypt, however, had established an Israel-friendly climate in Washington, and the acquisition plans were approved.

The first F-16 deliveries to Israel (all 75 Block 10 aircraft, except for 18 F-16A's and 8 B's that were originally built as block 5 but had already been converted to Block 10) took place under the Peace Marble I Foreign Military Sales program. These planes were originally intended for the Imperial Iranian Air Force, but the demise of the Shah in 1979 and the consequent rise of the Islamic fundamentalist regime caused these planes to be diverted to Israel. They had a number of internal changes that were unique to Israeli requirements, including the fitting of chaff/flare dispensers. The first IDFAF F-16, together with some other Vipers, was flown to Hill AFB, where initial pilot and ground crew conversion took place.

The first four F-16s, known as Netz (Hawk) in IDFAF service and wearing standard sand/brown/green camouflage colors, arrived in Israel in July of 1980 after an 11 hour delivery flight. IOC was achieved a few weeks later. Although the last 22 of these aircraft were put on hold by the Reagan Administration following the Raid on the Osirak reactor, final deliveries took place in 1981.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Arie Egozi, Tel Aviv - Flight
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DTN News - RUSSIA DEFENSE NEWS: Russian Air Force To Take Part In USAF Red Flag Training Exercises

DTN News - RUSSIA DEFENSE NEWS: Russian Air Force To Take Part In USAF Red Flag Training Exercises

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources The Voice of Russia
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 5, 2012: Despite a cooling off in relations between Russia and NATO countries, neither party has refused taking part in joint military programs.

One such program is the regular aerial combat training exercise of the US Air Force and its allies, called “Red Flag”. The next exercise is scheduled for October 2012.

US Military command came up with the idea of conducting Red Flag exercises during the Vietnam War, when the USAF and naval aviation primarily used heavy multi-functional bombers such as the F-4 Phantom-II and F-105 Thunderchief. These bombers demonstrated their inability to engage in close combat with Vietnam’s light MIG aircraft. The reason for such failings was the strong reliance placed on powerful radars and medium-range missiles on the new American fighters. However, in practice the engagements very often did not go the way the pre-war theoretical schemes designed them to and the ratio of losses did not benefit the American side.

The situation had to be corrected – especially since at the same time in the other part of Asia above the sands of Levant, pilots of the Israeli Air Force on French and American aircraft showed wonderful results in aerial combat missions against Arabs who had far more powerful aircraft compared to Vietnam and who had gone through the same Soviet school.

The US Air Force then ordered a study known as Project Red Baron II, which showed that a pilot's chances of survival in combat dramatically increased after he had completed 10 combat missions. As a result, Red Flag, since starting in 1976, had the goal of offering every pilot and weapon systems officer (WSO) the opportunity to fly 10 realistically simulated combat missions in a safe training environment to give them more experience in real combat situations.

Today the Red Flag exercise is an advanced aerial combat exercise conducted in several cycles during the year. Besides Red Flag and Red Flag-Alaska, which mainly focus on fighter aerial combat, there are other cycles as well. For instance, the Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment (JEFX) – a large scale exercise for the headquarters of the US Air Force and its allies.

There is also Jaded Thunder, which is a series of combat training exercises in the course of which pilots from the US Air Force, Naval, and Marine aviation learn to detect and identify ground targets, including those camouflaged as civilians or civilian objects in a congested urban area.

Finally, there is MAFEX – Mobility Air Forces Exercises. These involve training transport aviation, where pilots learn how to interact using various communications and target detection devices as well as in the situation of a radio-electronic war.

In spring of 2012 it became known that the Russian Air Force is to participate in the Red Flag training exercise in the fall of 2012 together with Americans. From 8 until 19 of October, Red Flag Air Combat Exercise 13-1 will be held at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada (the exercises are numbered in accordance with the fiscal years, and exercise in the fall will be number one in the 2013 fiscal year). Like India, who participated in the Red Flag several years earlier using its Russian-made SU-30 MKI, Russia will get a chance this year to test its aircraft in realistic combat maneuvers with USAF aircraft. This chance is very important, since up until now the only Russian aircraft of the fourth generation which fought in a real combat situation against western aircraft has been the MIG -29, but the possibility of deploying it in the conditions of very specific wars of 1991 and 1999 was limited. Under such circumstances, the chance to test modernized Russian aircraft such as the SU -27 SM, SU-30M2, MIG -29SM and other strike aircraft – despite simulations, they are still against real western aircraft and pilots – is too attractive to be miss out on.

There is a political question, however: “Who are we friends against?” The answer is very simple: against nobody. Russia and the United States have been successfully talking the same language in the military sphere for a long time. Here, more problems unite the two countries than separate them. At the same time, the existing contradictions can be solved over a short period of time. However, as one could tell, that does not prevent us from continuing to study each other.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources The Voice of Russia
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DTN News - ISRAELI DEFENSE NEWS: The Israeli Red Flag

DTN News - ISRAELI DEFENSE NEWS: The Israeli Red Flag
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Strategy Page
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 24, 2012: For the third time in the last six months the Israeli Air Force has hosted foreign fighter pilots for tactical training. Israeli fighter pilots are considered the best trained in the world, and Israel maintains a special training program, complete with pilots trained and equipped to operate as likely foes would, to train their own pilots. The latest nation to send fighters and pilots for training is Poland, flying F-16s in for that purpose. Previously, Italy had sent Typhoons and Tornados and Greece F-16s.

The Israeli training center is based on the one pioneered by the U.S. Air Force Red Flag program and the U.S. Navy's Top Gun training. Using American aircraft for "aggressor (or dissimilar) training" began in the 1960s. The original "Top Gun" fighter pilot school was established in 1969, by the U.S. Navy, in response to the poor performance of its pilots against North Vietnamese pilots flying Russian fighters. What made the Top Gun operation different was that the training emphasized how the enemy aircraft and pilots operated. This was called "dissimilar training". In the past, American pilots practiced against American pilots, with everyone flying American aircraft and using American tactics. It worked in World War II because the enemy pilots were not getting a lot of practice and were using similar aircraft and tactics anyway. Most importantly, there was a lot of aerial combat going on, providing ample opportunity for on-the-job training. Not so in Vietnam, where the quite different Russian-trained North Vietnamese were giving U.S. aviators an awful time. The four week Top Gun program solved the problem. The air force followed shortly with its Red Flag school.

Over the last 40 years the two training programs have developed differently, and the entire concept of "dissimilar training" has changed. The navy kept Top Gun as a program to hone a fighter pilot's combat skills. The air force made their Red Flag program more elaborate, bringing in the many different types of aircraft involved in combat missions (especially electronic warfare). But after the Cold War ended it became increasingly obvious that none of America's potential enemies was providing their fighter pilots with much training at all.

In other words, the dissimilar training for U.S. fighter pilots was not as crucial as it had been during the Cold War. Actually, it had been noted that flying skills of Soviet pilots was declining in the 1980s, as economic problems in the USSR caused cuts in flying time. During that period American pilots were actually increasing their flying time. Moreover, U.S. flight simulators were getting better. American pilots were finding that even the game oriented combat flight simulators had some training value.

So in the late 1990s, Top Gun and Red Flag found their budgets cut. But the programs remain, as does the memory of why they were set up in the first place. If we find that, say, China is continuing to improve its combat aviation, and gives its fighter pilots more flying time and their politicians maintain a bellicose attitude towards the U.S., there will be a need to increase American Top Gun training. Because of the new Chinese "dissimilar training" effort, the U.S. Top Gun and Red Flag schools are being restored to their former prominence, and Israel has become one of the best Red Flag operations outside the United States. The Chinese move is certainly a very meaningful one, as it shows that they are serious about preparing their pilots to fight and defeat Taiwanese and American pilots. Dissimilar training is how that is done and for most nations Israel is the nearest place to get it.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Strategy Page
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Red Flag Exercises Start Feb. 27

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Red Flag Exercises Start Feb. 27
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Natalie Cullen, Online Editor - Nellis 8News Now
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 17, 2012: Red Flag Exercises are set to start again at Nellis Air Force Base.

The combat training exercises will be from February 27 through March 16. People in southern Nevada will see more military aircraft in the skies because of the exercises. It is organized by Nellis but is hosted in the Nevada Test and Training Range which is north of the city.

The 414th Combat Training Squadron is responsible for executing Red Flag. It is one of several advanced training programs through the base. During the exercises, more than 70 aircraft are scheduled to depart the base twice a day. The departures will happen around midday and again in the evening. Aircraft may remain in the air for up to eight hours.

There will be more than just personnel from Nellis Air Force Base. Airmen from around the country and the world are part of the training. People may be able to spot F-18s from the Royal Australian Air Force and GR-4s from the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom.

All of the people involved will get extensive and valuable training in planning and executing a wide-variety of combat missions.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Natalie Cullen, Online Editor - Nellis 8News Now
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DTN News - JAPAN DEFENSE NEWS: Japanese F-15s Arrive At Red Flag-Alaska

DTN News - JAPAN DEFENSE NEWS: Japanese F-15s Arrive At Red Flag-Alaska

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources by Airman 1st Class Yash Rojas 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs - PACAF

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska - July 22, 2011: Several Japan Air Self-Defense Force Mitsubishi F-15 Eagles joined other RED FLAG-Alaska participants July 12 after having its entire F-15 fighter fleet grounded in response to an incident on July 4 with one of the fighter jets during a routine training exercise back in Japan.

The Mitsubishi F-15 Eagle forms part of JASDF fighter-interceptor aircraft inventory used to engage hostile aircraft. The F-15 was brought to RED-FLAG Alaska to help JASDF members improve their tactical flying skills and their ability to generate aircraft in a simulated combat environment.

In Japan's first overseas military training exercise since the disastrous earthquake and tsunami in March, JASDF will be receiving world class training and experiencing a realistic combat simulation. Thorough planning and precautions have ensured challenges were overcome, and the participation of six of Japan's F-15s began immediately upon their arrival at RF-A 11-2.

"Some of our major training goals as RF-A participants are to expand our fighters' tactics," said Lt. Col. Koichi Tokushige, JASDF F-15 Unit Commander. "We would like to improve cooperation between U.S. Forces and JSDAF as well as continue to strive for better understanding with our friends and allies in a joint environment."

The RF-A participants were ready to begin training earlier this week, however, with the F-15s not arriving until a few days into the exercise Japanese F-15 pilots and maintenance members utilized extra time to further prepare for the weeks flying schedule.

While awaiting the arrival of aircraft and equipment pilots coordinated with members at their home station to confirm the F-15s readiness. They also reviewed procedures for emergency situations, such as in-flight emergencies.

Like their pilots, JASDF maintenance members found the extra time helpful for further preparation.

While awaiting the arrival of critical aircraft, they participated in physical fitness and reviewed maintenance equipment.

There are some differences amidst the RF-A partners and not just in language. JASDF made use of downtime to familiarize members of their units with U.S. Air Force equipment.

"There are some significant differences in how we maintain our fighter aircraft," said Tech. Sgt. Toru Michibata, a JASDF maintenance technician. "We would like to show that the Japanese are the best of the best, but we also want to know how some of our international partners repair their aircraft and keep them mission ready."

Ultimately, the arrival of the F-15s has motivated JASDF personnel who are ready to play their part in this large training exercise. The F-15 will fly a variety of tactics and missions in concert with other participating aircraft throughout the exercise.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources by Airman 1st Class Yash Rojas 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs - PACAF

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DTN News: United Arab Emirates Air Force Take Off For Historic First Red Flag

DTN News: United Arab Emirates Air Force Take Off For Historic First Red Flag *Source: DTN News / General F-16 News By Capt. Gabe Johnson (NSI News Source Info) Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., - August 23, 2009: F-16 pilots and maintainers from the United Arab Emirates Air Force are set to participate in their country's first Red Flag exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Aug. 22 - Sept. 5. UAEAF F-16E block 60 #3028 flies over Southern Arizona on August 11th, 2009 before heading to the country's first Red Flag at Nellis AFB. The 162nd FW at Tucson IAP maintains and operates a squadron of block 60s for the purpose of training the UAEAF in the advanced multi-role fighter. [Photo by James Haseltine]

The U.A.E. airmen spent the previous two weeks at the Arizona Air National Guard's 162nd Fighter Wing at Tucson International Airport preparing for the advanced training exercise that exposes U.S. and partner nation air force units to challenging and realistic aerial combat scenarios.

For the Emirati pilots, the spin up in Tucson was a chance to get familiar with U.S. airspace and reunite with their former instructors. Arizona Guardsmen have trained U.A.E. fighter pilots for the last eight years, five of which in their own aircraft. Currently, the wing's 148th Fighter Squadron is the only squadron of U.A.E.-owned F-16E Desert Falcons, or block 60s, in the United States.

"It's been great to welcome back our friends from the U.A.E., some of whom we haven't seen for a while," said Col. Greg Stroud, the wing commander. "It's really rewarding for us to see how they've developed as pilots and we're proud to see them participate in their first Red Flag."

"Of course, it's historic for the Emiratis to go to Red Flag for the first time, and our wing gets to share the importance of this milestone since we've been training them from the beginning. They're ready."

The Emiratis will take on Red Flag flying their Tucson-based fighters, the most advanced F-16s ever built.

"The block 60 is similar to earlier versions of the F-16 in that it flies the same, but in terms of capabilities it's more advanced," said Lt. Col. Mick McGuire, 148th Fighter Squadron commander.

The F-16E's most notable characteristics include conformal fuel tanks mounted on the top of its fuselage, digital color screens in the cockpit and a powerful engine to compensate for the jet's increase in weight.

"It's typically called a generation 4.5 fighter, not quite at the level of the 5th generation F-22 or F-35, but its avionics, thrust and fuel capacity make it a very formidable fighter," said Colonel McGuire. "They should do very well at Red Flag and return to the U.A.E. having learned many good lessons from the experience."

Red Flag, designed to push the limits of a pilot's skill regardless of aircraft capability, will further build upon the military to military relationship originally fostered in Arizona. According to Colonel Stroud, Red Flag and the basic F-16 course taught at the 162nd play important roles in making the United Arab Emirates Air Force as capable as it can be.

The Tucson wing currently has nine Emirati student pilots in its basic course. They will graduate after nine months as mission qualified F-16 pilots and could be among future cadres of UAE pilots to visit Red Flag in years to come.

"They're getting world-class training and, for us, it gives us the opportunity to fly a generation 4.5 F-16 and see what the future may hold for the next U.S. fighter," said Colonel Stroud.

DTN News: Israeli Allies Fly With U.S. Forces At Red Flag

DTN News: Israeli Allies Fly With U.S. Forces At Red Flag

*Source: DTN News / NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. U.S. Air Force (NSI News Source Info) NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. USA - July 24, 2009: Flying at home station is necessary for training, but flying with other units, especially an allied unit like the Israeli Air Force, results in valuable experience and preparation for the fight.

Nir, A Israeli crew chief from Ramon Air Base, Israel waits for the F-16C Falcon to taxi out July 20, 2009 during Red Flag 09-4. Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies. U.S. aircraft will come from Nellis and Creech in Nevada, South Carolina, Idaho, the United Kingdom, Washington, Oklahoma and Ohio. Aircraft types will include F-15s, F-16s, E-3s and KC-135s. In addition to U.S. aircraft, the Israeli Air Force will be flying F-16C Falcons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brett Clashman)

A squadron of F-16Is from Ramon Air Base, Israel, is one of the nine units participating in Red Flag 09-4 through July 24 in Las Vegas. Red Flag exercises present a unique experience for U.S. and allied units to fly together against red air, or 'enemy' aircraft provided by the Aggressor Squadrons at Nellis Air Force Base, in a realistic combat environment.

The Israeli Air Force's "Bats" squadron is made up of the F-16-I Storm, a multi-role, two-seater fighter jet capable of low flying, strike and offensive counter air. Captain Gilad, a 25-year-old IAF pilot and Tel Aviv, Israel, native, experienced Red Flag for the first time this week.

"So far Red Flag has answered my expectations," he said. "It's very interesting. We can learn a lot from each other. We're learning new tactics and flight techniques, but there are a lot of similarities too." Red Flag is an optimal venue for pilots from U.S. and allied units around the world to work together in a combat environment.

The IAF pilots bring new procedures or methods for U.S. pilots, while the IAF pilots also learn from their U.S. counterparts.

"The reason anyone comes to Red Flag is to learn how to fight together," said Maj. Kate Lowe, Red Flag Air Boss. "So Just like U.S. forces from different squadrons or sister services come together to participate, we bring in allied forces to get to know both their fighting capabilities as well as the people themselves." Israeli Air Force pilots speak to one another in Hebrew, and while language has the potential to be an obstacle, it's practically a non-issue at Red Flag. "Language barriers are always a challenge, but their English is way better than my Hebrew," Major Lowe said.

It's not so much the language itself, as it is the technical terminology used in mission planning and briefings in the Red Flag building.

"Most of us know pretty good English," Captain Gilad said, referring to his comrades. "But it's the different acronyms, and aviation talk that is sometimes challenging."

When it comes to skill, Captain Gilad and his fellow IAF pilots came prepared for any challenge Red Flag 09-4 threw at them. The only thing new, he said, is the terrain, the base and training rules - which are a bit different from those in the IAF, but not too much. For example, IAF F-16I pilots are allowed to coast at 100 feet off the ground, while U.S. F-16s have to stay at 500 feet unless they're strafing, a term related to ground attack.

"We learn a lot from U.S. pilots, like daily routines and how to give organized briefings, but flying here is one of the main goals that we want to experience," he said. "Flying in unknown terrain - it's very different than flying in our homeland where we know every rock and every corner." Coming from a country that's only about 300 miles in length by 30 miles in width, Captain Gilad isn't kidding when he says he knows every rock and corner.

And while the terrain presents the IAF with new challenges, the heat of Las Vegas, he said, isn't so much of a problem. Another plus Red Flag offers U.S. and Israeli pilots alike, is the scale of the flying missions. Unlike home station flying, Red Flag missions encompass many different types of aircraft flying Large Force Employments, or LFEs.

"We do a lot more basics training in Israel," Captain Gilad said. "Flying here is more mission-oriented." When he's in Israel, Captain Gilad serves in two squadrons.

One squadron is operational, where pilots are on alert, and ready to respond to emergencies or threats. In the other squadron, he's an instructor pilot, teaching other pilots about combat - especially dogfights.

Although his military commitment is up, Captain Gilad chooses to remain in the IAF. "In Israel everyone has to be in the military," he said.

"By testing, they choose if you go in the army, navy or air force." Captain Gilad attended the Israeli Flight Academy for three years, but it took two additional years of training before he became operational, or ready to fight.

Although the IAF is not involved in a fight right now, earlier this year, he fought in the Gaza Strip conflict.

"We have to be very cautious because it's so close to home," he said. "We attack very strategically. But right now it's mainly homeland defense and protecting our citizens." Like the U.S., Israel recognizes the diplomatic and strategic need to maintain allied relationships.

"We have a great relationship with the U.S. Air Force," Capt Gilad said. "A relationship we want to keep and make better." And the Air Force recognizes that America's strategic partnerships are more important than ever.

Red Flag is vital in fostering and maintaining those relationships, capitalizing on the global community of like-minded Airmen while enhancing interoperability between allies and partners like Israel.

"It's not only the mentality and the way the U.S. and Israeli air forces approach planning and executing tactics, but also our systems," Major Lowe said. "Are our radios compatible? Are our weapons compatible? Can we hear each other? Better to know it now than when the bombs are dropping."

This may be Captain Gilad's first Red Flag, but it won't necessarily be his last. The IAF, according to Captain Gilad, tries to send pilots of all ages and experience levels to Red Flag.

"We could find ourselves here again," he said. "We always send someone who's been here before for better guidance. Coming to Red Flag is a big privilege, and everybody wants to come because it's very good experience for us."