Makos return to Red Flag after a 16 year absence

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Katie Spencer
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  For the first time in 16 years, members of the 93rd Fighter Squadron "Makos" and members of the 482nd Fighter Wing deployed to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., to participate in the advanced aerial combat training exercise, Red Flag.

"Participating in Red Flag is a huge milestone for the Air Force Reserve Command," said Lt. Col. David W. Smith, 93rd FS commander. " This is the best training in the world to prepare pilots for integrated joint operations in the most robust air-to-air and air-to-ground combat threat environment."

The last time Homestead ARB attended Red Flag was in 1994. Since the threat of terrorist attacks have become more prevalent, aerial combat training is more extensive and extremely vital to the safety of the U.S.

"This exercise is crucial for pilots and maintainers to prepare for current overseas contingency operation threats and stay informed for future conflicts," Colonel Smith said.

The 93rd FS fly F-16C jets and their mission while taking part in Red Flag is to engage the enemy through means of interdiction.

"We put bombs on targets and on time to comply with the combined coalition Air Force commander," Colonel Smith said.

There are 85 aircraft from the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and the Royal Air Force, and 1,285 service members from 19 different units deployed to Red Flag.

The exercise has two teams; blue forces and red forces. A majority of the deployed aircraft and personnel are part of the blue forces. Their mission is to use war-like tactics to attack various targets such as missile sites, tanks and airfields . The targets are defended by the red forces or the "aggressor" who use enemy tactics to interfere with the blue force mission.

"We train people here for realistic threats, and it takes a lot of people in the air and on the ground to make that happen," said Lt. Col. Dave Jorgensen, 414th Combat Training Squadron (Red Flag) deputy commander.

Homestead ARB is one of two Air Force Reserve units participating in Red Flag. The 301st Fighter Wing from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, is also deployed and is partnered with Homestead ARB in Air Expeditionary Force missions.

"We should make this a regular event as it is important for AFRC to work with active duty and coalition forces for total force integration and joint operations," Colonel Smith said.

Red Flag was developed 35 years ago to give pilots realistic training for combat missions. It is a simulated combat training exercise which incorporates all air forces from the different branches of the U.S. military and its allies.