They're Here Taking Part In Operation Red Flag

Hundreds of personnel, four F-111 strike aircraft and six F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft from the Royal Australian Air Force's Air Combat Group will deploy over the next few days to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, United States of America, to take part in the United States Air Force advanced air combat training exercise called Red Flag.

Exercise Red Flag will involve 250 personnel and is an excellent opportunity for the Royal Australian Air Force's F-111 and F/A-18 air and ground crews to hone their skills with the United States Air Force and other allied nations at one of the world's best air combat training facilities.

The deployment of personnel and aircraft from RAAF Amberley in Queensland and RAAF Williamtown in New South Wales to Exercise Red Flag will be the first overseas deployment of a combined Air Combat Group force with both F-111 and F/A-18 aircraft. This year will also be the first time the Air Force has sent F/A-18 Hornet aircraft to take part in the exercise.

Group Captain Bill Henman, Officer Commanding 81 Wing from RAAF Williamtown will command the Air Combat Group deployment to Red Flag.

"Participating in Red Flag is a great opportunity for Air Combat Group and will be a major milestone in the training of our air combat aviators. Red Flag also provides invaluable training for our logistics and maintenance personnel as they are able to practice deploying to another country and working together with other Air Forces" Group Captain Henman said.

The large scale exercise will involve experienced aircrews from the different air forces flying Strike, Electronic Warfare, Tactical Transport, Fighter Escort, Airborne Warning and Control and Air to Air refueling aircraft against dedicated defensive fighter aircraft and an extensive range of simulated Surface to Air threats.

The F-111 aircraft and the F/A-18 Hornet aircraft will arrive at Nellis Air Force Base from Thursday 21 October. RAAF C130 Hercules aircraft will provide airlift support to Air Combat Group on their way to Nellis Air Force Base. The exercise runs for two weeks with flying beginning on Saturday 23 October.

FMI: www.defence.gov.au/raaf/main.htm