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Military Exercises

What is Red Flag

Red Flag is an exercise that was started by the United States Air Force (USAF) at Nellis AFB in 1975 to give its pilots the first ten combat missions of their career. Air Force studies from the Vietnam War showed that if a pilot survived their first ten missions, then they would have a higher survivability rate for all future missions. If a pilot could receive these ten missions in a controlled training environment, then they would know what to expect in real combat. Thus, the 414th Combat Training Squadron Red Flag was created. Red Flags have been so successful that exercises are also being held in Alaska to get more training.

In order to fully immerse the pilots into a realistic combat scenario, aggressor squadrons were established to simulate real threats that allied pilots would experience. The allied force is known as the blue force, and these aggressors are known as red threats. There are various aggressor squadrons ranging from aircraft squadrons, to ground threats, to intelligence squadrons. Part of Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) that is used for the Red Flag exercises contains plenty of ground threats that the pilots will engage. There are simulated surface to air missiles (SAMs) as well as enemy convoys, radars, and facilities. Smokey SAMs are used to simulate a missile launch and give the signature smoke trail of a missile launch. Today the 64th Aggressor Squadron flies F-16 Fighting Falcons painted in various Russian style camouflage to simulate the Mig-29. They not only fly aircraft painted like Russian aircraft but also fly tactics commonly used by Russian and Russian trained forces. Some visiting F-15 Eagle, F-5 Tiger II, and T-38 Talon squadrons have also provided additional aggressor aircraft to the exercise in the past. In addition, a private company called Draken International is starting to provide A-4 Skyhawk aircraft for the aggressor role.

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Air Shows, Fleet Week

San Francisco Fleet Week 2017

It’s October in San Francisco, which means it has to be Fleet Week.  Since 1981 Fleet Week has been a fixture in the City by the Bay.  It’s a weeklong event with disaster preparedness drills, military displays, ship open houses and 3 days of flying.

The flying started on Thursday with the Blue Angels performing their orientation flights and a practice show. 

Friday opened with the parade of ships led by the USS Essex LHD-2, a Wasp class amphibious assault ship, and the USS Champion MCM-4, a mine countermeasures ship.  Following them was the USCGC Stratton Coast Guard National Security Cutter and the Canadian HMCS Winnipeg FFH-338.

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Air Shows

California Capital Air Show 2017

In September, Mather Field hosted another great air show for the Sacramento area.  Each year they host a photography tour which provides a unique opportunity for photographers to get on the other side of the airfield for better lighting.  On arrival day, we were treated to multiple passes of a U-2 Dragon Lady before landing.

During the air show, there was plenty of flying and static displays to keep all the spectators happy over the beautiful weekend.  The show opened with the national anthem and jumpers from the Patriot Parachute Team.  An F-15 from the California ANG based out of Fresno made several passes while new cadets were taking their oaths.  A P-51 Mustang and USCG C-27 Spartan made fly-bys as well.

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Military Exercises

Sentry Eagle 2017

Sentry Eagle is a joint Air National Guard (ANG), Air Force, and Navy air-to-air combat training exercise hosted by the 173rd Fighter Wing at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Sentry Eagle debuted in 1986 as a means of improving combat effectiveness, originally a yearly event until 1990 when it was changed to a biennial event.  The small airfield of Kingsley Field becomes very busy as 40 to 50 aircraft from about a dozen squadrons arrive for the four day exercise and open house.

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The beautiful McLaren F1 GTR at Velocity Invitatio The beautiful McLaren F1 GTR at Velocity Invitational at Laguna Seca.

#mclaren #mclarenf1 #mclarenf1gtr #f1gtr #velocityinvitational #velocityinvitational2022 #lagunaseca #weathertechlagunasecaraceway #montereycalifornia #lemans #sonyalpha #sonyphotography
The Blue Angels Diamond 360 with a touch of vapor! The Blue Angels Diamond 360 with a touch of vapor!

#fleetweeksf #sanfranciscofleetweek #fleetweek2022 #blueangels #usnavy #f18 #f18superhornet #sonyalpha #sonyaviationphotography #sonyphotography #aviationphotography
"Fat Albert", the Blue Angels' C-130J flying while "Fat Albert", the Blue Angels' C-130J flying while a helicopter films for an IMAX movie during SF Fleetweek.

#imax #fatalbert #blueangels #fleetweek #fleetweeksf #sanfranciscofleetweek #fleetweek2022 #c130 #c130hercules #c130j #sonyalpha #sonyphotography #sonyaviationphotography
United Airlines 777 in the fog during San Francisc United Airlines 777 in the fog during San Francisco Fleetweek 2022.

#unitedairlines #united #777 #fleetweeksf #fleetweek2022 #sonyalpha #sonyaviationphotography #sonyphotography #aviationphotography
Awesome pass from the @f35c_demoteam and the T-2 B Awesome pass from the @f35c_demoteam and the T-2 Buckeye at San Francisco Fleetweek!

#f35 #fleetweeksf #f35c #f35demoteam #fleetweek #sonyalpha #sonyphotography #sonyaviationphotography
A Hawg driver from the Skullbangers after a strafi A Hawg driver from the Skullbangers after a strafing run during #Hawgsmoke2022.

#a10thunderbolt #a10warthog #brrrrt #a10thunderboltii #brrrrrrrrt #idahoang #gowenfield #hawgsmoke #sonyalpha #sonyphotography #sonyaviationphotography
An A-10 from the Idaho ANG taxis out at Gowen Fiel An A-10 from the Idaho ANG taxis out at Gowen Field for an early morning mission.

#a10thunderbolt #a10warthog #idahoang #brrrrt #gowenfield #sonyalpha #sonyaviationphotography #sonyphotography #aviationphotography #hawgsmoke #Hawgsmoke2022
Brrrrrrrrrt! The 190th Fighter Squadron unleashes Brrrrrrrrrt!  The 190th Fighter Squadron unleashes the A-10's fury during #Hawgsmoke2022.

#hawgsmoke #a10warthog #brrrrt #a10thunderboltii #a10thunderbolt #brrrrrrrrt #gowenfield #idahoang #sonyalpha #sonyphotography #sonyaviationphotography
Gotta love the shark teeth! The 74th Fighter Squa Gotta love the shark teeth!  The 74th Fighter Squadron, "Flying Tigers", from Moody AFB compete in #Hawgsmoke2022.

#hawgsmoke #a10warthog #brrrrt #a10thunderboltii #a10thunderbolt #brrrrrrrrt #gowenfield #idahoang #moodyafb #flyingtigers #sonyalpha #sonyphotography #sonyaviationphotography #aviationphotography
A Hawg driver from the 422nd Test and Evaluation S A Hawg driver from the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron out of Nellis AFB competes in Idaho at #Hawgsmoke2022.

#hawgsmoke #a10warthog #brrrrt #a10thunderboltii #a10thunderbolt #brrrrrrrrt #gowenfield #idahoang #nellisafb #422ndtes #sonyalpha #sonyphotography #sonyaviationphotography
The winners of #Hawgsmoke2022, the 190th Fighter S The winners of #Hawgsmoke2022, the 190th Fighter Squadron, the Skullbangers!  Let's go Idaho ANG!

#hawgsmoke #a10warthog #brrrrt #a10thunderboltii #sonyalpha #sonyphotography #sonyaviationphotography #idahoang #gowenfield
Brrrrrrrrrt! Nothing like the sound of an A-10 un Brrrrrrrrrt!  Nothing like the sound of an A-10 unleashing its fury. #hawgsmoke2022

#hawgsmoke #a10warthog #brrrrt #a10thunderboltii #sonyalpha #sonyphotography #sonyaviationphotography #a10warthog #idahoang #davismonthanafb #gowenfield
Hawgsmoke 2022! Davis Monthan dropping a 500lb in Hawgsmoke 2022!  Davis Monthan dropping a 500lb inert Mk82 during the bombing phase of the competition.

#hawgsmoke2022 #hawgsmoke #a10warthog #brrrrt #a10thunderboltii #a10thunderbolt #brrrrrrrrt #davismonthanafb #idahoang #davismonthan
AV-8B Harrier flown by the VX-31 Dust Devils flyin AV-8B Harrier flown by the VX-31 Dust Devils flying through Star Wars Canyon back in 2019.

#starwarscanyon #sidewinderlowlevel #jeditransition #deathvalley #harrier #av8 #av8bharrier #vx31 #vx31dustdevils #lowlevelflying #sonyalpha #sonyaviationphotography #sonyphotography
We had to wait to post this photo until the movie We had to wait to post this photo until the movie came out, but here's Maverick's hero jet from the new Top Gun landing at NAS Fallon back in 2019.

#f18superhornet #topgun #maverick #herojet #f18 #nasfallon #fallon #f18hornet
An EA-18G Growler from VAQ-136 Gauntlets landing a An EA-18G Growler from VAQ-136 Gauntlets landing at NAS Fallon in 2019.

#ea18g #growler #nasfallon #topgun #f18 #sonyalpha #sonyphotography #sonyalphagallery #sonyaviationphotography #f18superhornet #ea18 #aviationphotography
F-15C Eagle departing Kingsley Field in Klamath Fa F-15C Eagle departing Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Oregon in 2017.

#f15 #f15eagle #klamathfalls #kingsleyfield #airnationalguard #sentryeagle #sonyalpha #sonyphotography #sonyaviationphotography
Lego Star Wars!!! Every year we improve our window Lego Star Wars!!! Every year we improve our window display during Christmas for people to come and see and enjoy, and this year is no exception! For the last 23 years we've been collecting @lego @starwars sets and @hallmark Star Wars ornaments for our rotating Christmas tree. This year we took it a step farther, and lit all our Lego sets with @lightmybricks LED lights for one epic display!!! We also used @philipshue light strips to light the window and automatically dim between day and nighttime modes, making the Lego LED sets really pop! With the @disney castle included, this is our take on @disneyland @galaxysedgedisneyland. The numbers:

114 Lego sets
86,000+ pieces
270+ minifigures
450+ LEDs
....and one Hallmark Star Wars Christmas tree complete with Death Star tree topper.

Merry Christmas everyone!

#lego #legostarwars #legoucs #ucsstarwars #starwars #lightmybricks #hallmark #hallmarkornaments #hallmarkstarwars #leds #deathstar #stardestroyer #disney #disneyland #disneystarwars #starwarsgalaxysedge #galaxysedge #galaxysedgedisneyland #philipshue #philipshuelights #merrychristmas
Blue Angel #5 practicing on Thursday in a two seat Blue Angel #5 practicing on Thursday in a two seat F-18F at San Francisco Fleetweek 2021.

#airshow #sanfrancisco #fleetweeksf #sanfranciscofleetweek #fleetweek2021 #blueangels #f18superhornet #sonyalpha #600mm #sonyphotography #sonyalphagallery #sonyaviationphotography
Keeping an eye on the Boss. Blue Angels echelon p Keeping an eye on the Boss.  Blue Angels echelon parade at San Francisco Fleetweek 2021. @fleetweeksf @usnavyblueangels

#fleetweeksf #sanfranciscofleetweek #fleetweek2021 #sanfrancisco #blueangels #airshow #superhornets #echelonparade #sonyalpha #sonyphotography #sonyalphagallery #sonyaviationphotography #f18superhornet
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What is Red Flag

What is Red Flag

March 18, 2018
San Francisco Fleet Week 2017

San Francisco Fleet Week 2017

October 29, 2017
California Capital Air Show 2017

California Capital Air Show 2017

October 28, 2017

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