May 2007 Feature Story:
Red Flag Stealth Style
Story and Photos by Kevin Whitehead, JetwashImages.com
Additional photos by Chad Thomas, JetwashImages.com
and Ralph Duenas, JetwashImages.com

During the first two weeks of February 2007 the U.S. Air Force’s newest Stealth Fighter, the F-22A Raptor, participated in its inaugural Red Flag Exercise. Considered a milestone in its development, the F-22A was allowed to unleash its potential against opposing aircraft for the first time in a major training exercise.

Red Flag is a highly advanced and realistic air combat training exercise staged from Nellis AFB just north of Las Vegas, Nevada. Typically held three times a year for periods of two to four weeks, this exercise has gained international recognition as the pinnacle of aviator combat training. Pilots spend the duration of the exercise learning aerial warfare tactics and gaining experience in flying with and against various types of aircraft from air forces around the world. Red Flag friendly forces are designated as the Blue Force while the enemy takes on the Red Force role as aggressors.

Since U.S. forces usually engage in combat with Coalition forces, Red Flag includes aircraft from U.S. allies. Participating in this latest edition of the exercise along with 14 F-22As from the 94TH Fighter Squadron were RAF Tornado GR4’s and RAAF F-111C’s. Other U.S. aircraft involved were the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon as well as the B-2 Spirit and F-117 Stealth Fighter. The addition of the now well established Stealth Bomber and fighter platforms made for a truly stealthy Red Flag.

Flown by F-15 and F-16 pilots based at Nellis, the Aggressor squadron or “Red Force” is designed to provide the toughest competition U.S. forces can expect to encounter in any combat theater. Current enemy air combat tactics are replicated based upon the latest intelligence available. At the conclusion of the exercise all reports indicate that the F22A enjoyed tremendous success flying against the Red Forces.

Further goals of the Raptor’s inaugural involvement in Red Flag were also met in that Coalition forces were able to learn U.S. force capabilities while at the same time enabling U.S. forces to learn more about how U.S. allies fit into the overall Coalition combat package. Given today’s unstable world environment, it is essential that Coalition forces work together toward the common goal of ensuring world peace.