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.

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.

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.

Sentry Eagle is a joint Air National Guard (ANG), Air Force, and Navy air-to-air combat training exercise hosted by the 173^rd 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.