Aircraft and over 200 personnel from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have participated in Exercise Red Flag Alaska, a United States Pacific Air Forces-led initiative designed to replicate an air combat environment.
The exercise was conducted from 14 to 25 August 2023, and aircrews operated in the 174,000 sq. km Joint Alaska Pacific Range Complex, which offers ranges for crews to simulate full-scale aerial battles.
“Exercise Red Flag Alaska enhanced our interoperability and strengthened our practical cooperation with our ally, the United States. It allows us to develop our intelligent and skilled workforce in a simulated combat environment and hone our air combat capability to project air power for the joint and combined force," said Group Captain Matthew McCormack, Task Unit Commander.
“The exercise was conducted in the Alaskan airspace which is very different to back home in Australia. It challenges our people to build on their skills through realistic training in a deployed environment to ensure they are ready to deliver air power for Australia.”
The Royal Australian Air Force regularly participates in the Red Flag Alaska exercise series, which contributes to Australia’s air battle management capability.