Exercise Red Flag: Aus, US, UK provide electronic warfare effects

6 Squadron pilots have returned from a training exercise where they had the chance to practice in a very realistic warfighting situation.

They travelled across the Pacific to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada to participate in the most recent version of Exercise Red Flag, which took place from January 23 to February 10.

Participants in the United States Air Combat Command training exercise will be exposed to various air combat scenarios.

The 6 Squadron contingent utilized their EA-18G Growler aircraft to provide electronic warfare effects in the battlespace with 3000 individuals from the US and UK.

“The threat replication in the Nevada Test and Training Range and the airspace used for Red Flag is some of the most advanced in the world,” said Commander Steven Thornton, commanding officer of 6 Squadron.

According to Wing Commander Thornton, “The Growler offers a unique capability within the battlespace by interrupting, misdirecting, or denying a wide variety of military electronic systems, including radar and communications.”

RAAF Growler crews collaborated with various aircraft, including USMC F-35Bs, US Air Force F-22A Raptors, and Royal Air Force Typhoons.

Wing Commander Thornton emphasized the importance of the opportunity to train alongside the Royal Air Force and the United States in this setting.

“To deliver these effects, 6 Squadron crews must be able to interface with aircraft and systems from our partner nations.”

The 414th Combat Training Squadron, under the command of Colonel Jared Hutchinson, was in charge of developing an advanced training environment for Exercise Red Flag Nellis.

When it boils down to it, Colonel Hutchinson stated, “Red Flag’s mission is all about readiness.”

“The participants receive essentially the hardest situation we can put together from the first day they arrive.”

Each Red Flag operation had both offensive and defensive air components, which required the aircrew to use various strategies, tactics, and procedures to complete the mission successfully.

The 65th Aggressor Squadron, which used the F-35A to simulate threats with low visible technology that might be present in the contemporary battlespace, was part of Red Flag’s enemy force.

According to Colonel Hutchinson, Red Flag’s primary goal was to equip pilots with skills beyond the scope of their particular aircraft and domain.

“No longer can an F-16, F/A-18, or an F-35 solve any of the issues. To solve it, you need a coordinated team effort spanning cyberspace, outer space, and the alliance. Nobody could accomplish it alone, according to Colonel Hutchinson.