“Red Flag” aerial combat exercise US and India

The Air Forces of India and the U.S. concluded their four-week “Red Flag” aerial combat exercises at Alaska in the U.S. on Saturday. The two forces simulated realistic aerial combat scenarios in a networked environment.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) flew 10 aircraft: four Su-30MKIs, four Jaguars and two IL-78 aerial refuelling tankers. A team of over 170 personnel was part of the exercises held from April 28 to May 13.

“The objective of this inter-continental deployment was not only to showcase the IAF’s capability in undertaking integrated air ops but also to imbibe operational lessons from the exercise engagements, which will help us add more teeth to our overall war waging capabilities,” the team leader, Group Captain H. Assudani, said on the objective of the exercise.

The exercise is played under the multiple simulated scenario designed to provide realistic settings with a Red Force, defending their airspace and assets, and a Blue Force acting as the offensive side. The IAF officials said that the Red Force was largely constituted by U.S. F-16 fighters, while the IAF planes, along with other USAF aircraft such as F-15, F-16 and F-22 and the U.S. Navy F-18, constituted the Blue Force.

The teams had to endure sub-zero temperatures during most of the exercise, which posed a challenge to the maintenance team despite which they managed to maintain 100 per cent serviceability of all platforms. Col. William Culver from the U.S. side said, “This was one of the best ‘Red Flags’ I has seen. I compliment the exceptional standards displayed by the IAF and am amazed to see all the 10 aircraft IAF had brought maintaining 100 per cent serviceability for the entire four weeks and their aircraft flying on all days as per plan.”

Expensive exercise

However, the exercises are an expensive endeavour and hence, the IAF had decided to participate once in five years. This edition is believed to have cost over Rs. 100 crore.

The IAF fighters have always flown with their radars switched off during exercises with the U.S. so as not to reveal the radar signatures. The Indian side had received accolades during the last edition for their tactics and professionalism.

The contingent is likely to return to India in the last week of May. The Su-30s will additionally participate in the exercise “Desert Eagle II” with the UAE Air Force on their way back, officials said.