The Royal Air Force say that a detachment of over 300 personnel has arrived in the United States to take part in Exercise RED FLAG.

The deploying RAF detachment is formed from Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth based 1 (Fighter) Squadron and RAF Coningsby based 41 Test and Evaluation Squadron and supported by Voyagers from 10 Squadron and 101 Squadron based at RAF Brize Norton, together with ground support personnel from across the RAF.

“For this iteration of the exercise the RAF Typhoons will join with combat aircraft from the United States Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force.  During the exercise the three air forces will face simulated ground based air defence systems, aggressor aircraft that will simulate a peer adversary, and cyber and space-based threats as combat missions are planned conducted and debriefed.”

Group Captain Barrett, RAF Detachment Commander, was quoted as saying:

“I’m pleased that after many months of preparation Exercise RED FLAG is now getting under way.  The exercise will provide unparalleled training for our air and space warfighters and will help prepare them for operations against any adversary who may choose to confront us in the air, space and cyber domains.  The opportunity to reaffirm our close ties with United States Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force colleagues is also very welcome.”

The exercise will last until mid-February, seeing the RAF aircraft integrating with the United States Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force aircraft as the operations become more complex.

You can read more here,

George Allison
George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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102 COMMENTS

  1. Time to pickup the detachment allowances and pop down the casinos. Maybe a wee few in the piano bar on the way. Was in my day anyway.

  2. Just wishful thinking, but it would be really nice to see a modern day Blackburn Buccaneer strut its stuff at Red Flag. Oh and just for the info, I’m singing along to “Jilted john by Jilted john” Also from the 80s.

    • Indeed, I well remember the TV film in the 1980s of the Buccaneers at Red Flag.
      The American controllers were suitably stunned by the ultra low level flying, during which the desert dust was being kicked up by wingtips.

      • I too remember seeing that remarkable footage and have many attempts to see it again. Is it available to view ?
        What an amazing and capable aircraft the Blackburn Buccaneer was.
        Just how many wonderful aircraft have we built?

      • Not sure but somewhere at the back of my head I seem to remember that it was due to the Buccaneers ability or the lack of ability to engage them that led to the development of AWACS and look down shot down. I stand to be corrected if wrong. As for Farouks wishful thinking I can be added to the wishful list, a stealth Buccaneer yes please.

        • I seem to recall this as well Ron. The Buccs also scored the highest in on target bombing during the exercise. Fantastic machine- I served in the SAAF in the early 1980s and can tell you they really punched above their weight (all six of them!)

          • One of my fav jets the Bucc.

            To think we had 2 squadrons of them at Lossi even late into the Cold War with the naval strike role. Their low flying was bonkers.

    • Mate -really liking this idea. Stealth , shmealth! Down and dirty in the reeds at 500 knots is where it’s at. Bloody excellent aircraft.

    • Should have never closed the RAF(U) at Goose Bay, another excellent training area where aircrew can do realistic training down in the weeds. Just had to mind the caribou 🙂

  3. So all eyes are on Ukraine, and the MOD decide to send aircraft to take part in an exercise in the US.

    Does this serve any rel purpose, of is it just a ‘jolly up’ for 300 RAF personnel??

    • Of course it serves a purpose. It is the world’s premier military aircraft get together, where elite fighter pilots practice against each other to develop tactics. Extensive ranges. High operational tempo. F22 vs F35 vs Typhoon etc. The pinnacle of any serving air force personnel I would imagine. Right I’m off to watch Top Gun

        • These exercises are planned a year or more ago and are not done last minute. I don’t need to say anymore than others are saying below about the reasons the RAF take part in these exercises. They provide the most realistic traning available against the most capable assets in the world. And a opportunity to work with allied unit’s that the RAF could find themselves operating alongside in real operations. And also to test out the latest upgrades and tactics developed for the Typhoon force, and put them into practice against a very capable red air threat scenario, and also integrate with USAF 5th gen assets. The list could go on. …..

          • Well said, some people are quite ignorant to the fact you have to train as realistically as possible to be prepared for any eventuality.

          • Yep, spot on. Red Flag is priceless for the RAF and a sign we are seen as peer partners with the USAF.

            Wonder if any pilots will attempt a sneaky by flying briefly into the prohibited areas further north to gain advantage? It has happened before.

          • Given everything that is going on in eastern Europe at the moment I’d sooner we have as many of our Typhoon and F35 pilots at Red Flag, sharpening their skills for any possible confrontation. Best for as many to be prepared for any eventuality. Of course that’s probably not practical given the many other commitments we have and, as has been said here already, the time it would take to plan everything related.

          • I imagine British F35’s will be making a Red Flag participation before too long. I took part in Red Flag 02/03 with Sea Harrier FA2’s. The sight of seeing 50+ fast jets taking off was an amazing sight and sound.

    • Red flag is an annual exercise, I took part in many in the 90s. Its not a Jolly as you put it, I’m sorry but you sound like a Sun journo. If the aircraft are required for ops they can be quickly rotated back to the UK, its always in the planning.

      • So yes, a jolly up then. A sun journo… enough with the attempt to be insulting. It’s a question, query… take it for what its for!

        I’ve been on plenty of military exercises which ended up little more than jollies, as the years went by.

        • Who sad anything about insulting! I’m merely stating a fact. Such comments do not help and as you know UKDJ is often quoted in the broadsheets.

          • No, you were being insulting! It’s not for you to decide how a churlish comment is perceived, it’s the person on the receiving end! And no, this kind of thing is not posted on broadsheets.

          • Oh yes it is. In which part of my comment did you find insulting? Throw away comments like Jollies does not help. Think before you post. If you are offered then for the sake of this forum I apologise. Let’s hope there are some pragmatic politicians who can talk and agree a way out of a potential conflict in the Ukraine as I have to you. If you can’t except my apology then perhaps you should talk to the MODs

          • I agree , and yet again we stick our noses into some other country’s internal conflict , just so the warhawks and their military manufacturing complex shares can rise further .
            But the real reason is both Biden and Bojo need a distraction from their internal problems so what better than a war , as did Thatcher , Blair , Cameron and May , Bush , Obama and Trump before them 😤

        • But even if they do get a few days jolly at the end, why not? You’ve already said you’ve had your jollies, why can’t they?

          • Exactly a few days usually 2 , after a few weeks of working like a dog and let’s not forget somebody always loses out by having to stag on.

          • Of course you get a few days Standown, jolly call it what you will. Tom was insinuating that all excersises are jollies he was not asking a question as in his original post.
            I myself have been on many a jolly, I preferred to call them days off. Its no different to a run a shore for the navy, the army on the other hand tend to shaft their people and had their hand forced into giving the guys and girls decompression leave in Cyprus upon returning from the middle east.
            I always worked on work hard play hard.

          • I know what he was insinuating. I’ve had shit load of jollies in my time and shit load of hard work. I didn’t think the Army shafted us that much!

        • Simply study what goes on and you can make up your own mind. From what I have researched it is some of the most intense training you can receive against realistic foes. That last comment from you is hardly a question is it, it’s a deliberate mocking response otherwise why the sarcasm and 4 question marks?

      • I agree, the US aggressor squadrons have MIGs so they can get first hand training against what the might very soon have to face in reality. Just like war games at sea which the CSG21 did in the last year training with allies is vital in these times. Swapping and learning tactical knowledge can not be under estimated.

        • That’s a great point Mark. Why can’t the RAF get their hands on some MIGs from Poland or Germany for our own Aggressor training instead of using Hawk T1s? I’m not slighting the Hawk, merely stating it makes sense to train against an aircraft type that you could very well be going head to head with over some hotspot somewhere.

    • You dont see the advantage in a training excercise that gives pilots real combat experience against genuine and simulated Russian equipment using live weapons?

      • As a former soldier, exercises in Canada were the same. Nice idea, nice training, nice place to go. Same ol same old exercise year in year out, at huge expense.

          • Excellent idea, we may soon be generating an Expeditionary Air Wing of Typhoons and sending it to Poland.

            The excellent training afforded is priceless…

          • Precisely so. Red Flag was and is to test man and machine against soviet/ Russian equipment and war fighting doctrine. Maple flag in Canada was also a very useful excersise.

        • Training our soldiers and airmen and pilots is a huge expense… but it has always been so and always will be. That is one of the few unquestionable advantages we have over our enemies – training. Do you suggest we don’t fire rifles either, as that costs money? No target practice?

          • Do you seriously suggest that we do not train our armed forces for any future conflict that might arise? All because it turns into a jolly. I take it as read you have served time in the military? How insulting to suggest that all our people do is jolly it up. Its a shame you hold that opinion.

          • Petulant child. If you can’t accept an apology then that is your problem. I think you are best ignored in future.

        • But I bet every year there were newbies on the course that hadn’t done it before. You can’t expect the army to say wars on here’s the keys to your tank. Instructions are on the inside. Good luck.
          As in any situation in life practice makes perfect. Red flag takes place in a totally different environment to the U.K. different weather, different landscape etc. The reason the operational training boys go is so they can filter down new knowledge. For some this will be there first trip to red flag.
          Anyway your entitled to your opinion as others are entitled to theirs.

    • Er it’s previously planned training, which will continue as long as needed. Unless we are suddenly at war, very little will change in regards to such training.

    • Tom Keane wrote:

      Does this serve any rel purpose, of is it just a ‘jolly up’ for 300 RAF personnel??

      Hello Tom. in answer to your question, yes it does serve a purpose. Red Flag exercises came into being after the Vietnam war , where the Yanks realised that the edge their pilots had gained from WW2 had gone and that the Russians with their Mig15,17s and 21s had taken the baton from them, also the Vietnam war issued in the era of the surface to air missile and they needed to teach pilots how deal with such in a much safer environment than the actual battlefield.
      The reason why other nations are invited , is it allows (primarily) NATO forces to learn how to work alongside the US (And vice versa) regards planning, communications etc. This ensures that everybody sings off the same song sheet when push comes to shove. here is the mission statement from the Nellis Air base website for RedFlag:
      “”The  414th Combat Training Squadron conducts Red Flag exercises to provide aircrews the experience of multiple, intensive air combat sorties in the safety of a training environment. There are three iterations of Red Flag annually, one U.S. only, one open to FVEY (Five Eyes) participants and one that welcomes an expanded roster of international allies and partners. The training occurs at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada on the Nevada Test and Training Range, the U.S. Air Force’s premier military training area with more than 12,000 square miles of airspace and 2.9 million acres of land.””

      I had a quick butchers regards the nations taking part (US/Aus/UK) so this one is five eyes. Also of interest is that both the F35 and F18G are taking part.. The Growler is the prime electronic warfare  aircraft for both the US and Aus and was last used to escort the airstrikes on Syrian chemical bases in 2018 and would be at the forefront of any (god forbid) future action

    • But the UK has already made it crystal clear that no British miltary personal would be cone directly involved in any fighting in Ukraine. So why would they keep aircraft sat on a tarmac in Scotland? Also believe it or not the RAF do actually have more then just the aircraft there. Also regardless of your personal experience red flag is the most challenging and realistic aerial training program available, nothing could prepare our airforce better for a major conflict then this. Should we just not exercise at all then in your mind?

    • It is the most realistic and intense exercise available for the RAF to practice and develop their skills. If you can’t see the purpose in that then you are beyond help.

      We all know that nobody in nato will be fighting in Ukraine, would you rather the RAF just sat around watching developments on TV instead of getting on with business?

    • You are kidding. This exercise provides RAF crews with as close to real combat as you can get. As such it is invaluable for all that participate to hone tactics and expertise so they can pass it on to the crews back in their own country. You clearly have little or no knowledge of the stress and fatigue that combat operations have on aircrew (and ground crews who have to turn around, refuel, re-arm) in quick time.

    • Red Flag is an exercise the RAF has taken part in for decades and it is probably the most complex and life-like around. Exercises such as this ensure that RAF pilots are at the very top of their game and ready for any eventuality….

    • Tom, We do not have such tiny forces that we can’t do two things at once.

      Anyway the RAF has no role in Ukraine; we are not going to war there. Ukraine is nt a NATO ally so Chapter 5 can’t be called.

  4. Would be nice if these aircraft along with all the other participants at RF were actually doing something besides training like protecting Ukraine from a Russian invasion. Isn’t that what all this expensive training is for?

    • It certainly is Dan, which I hope will help to keep the west ahead of its rivals in any future conflicts that may arise.

      Far better to learn about any shortcommings you have in practice rather than in a real shooting match.

      Any lessons learned can be passed on without risking the pilot or the aircraft.

      We have plenty more if required, another thirty-six wouldn’t go amiss!

    • The west has already made it very clear no western troops will become directly involved in the defence of Ukraine. So no this aircraft shouldn’t be there. Instead they and their crews should rightfully be tested in the most challenging areal training course deviced. So if a conflict does arise then we have the best forces available to fight it.

    • Armed forces are generally either on operations or training. Training should be realistic, challenging, testing – exactly what Ex Red Flag is all about.

      RAF aircraft should not be in Ukraine protecting that country – it is not a NATO ally.

  5. Hopefully, we will see Radar 2 appear in 2024, should be very interesting to see how it performs against current 5th gen aircraft.

    I would assume we will be testing it against the UK/USAF F35’s in the UK first of all if we haven’t ground tested its capabilities already?

    It promises to enable the Typhoon to operate in even the most challenging contested environments, on its own and autonomously.

    This kind of environment would once have been thought the exclusive domain of stealthy, fifth-generation aircraft.

    With the new radar, RAF Typhoon pilots will be able to locate and identify enemy air defence systems and suppress them using high-powered jamming – adding the suppression/destruction of enemy air defences (SEAD/DEAD) role to the aircraft’s multi-role mission set.

    It was once expected that many leading air forces would move to an all-stealth, all-fifth generation force structure, and that fourth-generation fighters would have no part to play. But the growing vulnerability of stealth aircraft to new and developing counter-stealth systems, coupled with their high cost, has led to a growing emphasis on operating fourth- and fifth-generation fighters together, in a more complementary and synergistic fashion.

    The ECRS Mk 2 promises to help create a Typhoon standard that enhances the RAF’s F-35 force – not merely carrying additional weapons to the fight, but bringing its own advanced capabilities that improve the F-35’s survivability and effectiveness.

    Worthwhile reading.

    https://www.key.aero/article/depth-look-eurofighters-next-gen-radar

  8. The head of the German navy has resigned over controversial comments he made over Ukraine.

    Kay-Achim Schönbach said the idea that Russia wanted to invade Ukraine was nonsense. He added that all President Putin wanted was respect.
    A number of countries have supplied weapons to Ukraine, including the US and UK. But Germany has refused Ukraine’s request for ammunition.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60099924

    • What Putin & the PRC really want is world domination, but for now subordinate dictators in neighbouring countries to make them feel secure. They don’t give a fig for what those nations want themselves.

    • “…all President Putin wanted was respect.” Therein lies the crux of the matter. The future of the planet lies in the hands of a man with a bruised ego constantly needing reassurance of his significance in the world. Many a gang member has been murdered for ‘disrespecting’ someone from another gang! If Putin had treated Ukraine with the respect and friendship that an old family member deserved then he would have received the same from them and the world would be a better place, but sadly the world is what it is and H0mo sapiens is not as sapiens as we think!

      • Well said,Geoff… the press should call him out, along these lines, and often. But that would make him sulk even more…

        • IT’S amazing how one man can put so much fear round the world ,shame is people couldn’t overthrow of something 🤔

      • Exactly when a gang member says you disrespected him he means you didn’t accept his superiority over you. A massive difference and one a fascist dictator like Putin understands well from the gangs he hangs around with. This is all but the first stage of his eventual intent.

      • Morning Geoff, hope you’re well. Mate, very good insight on Putin.
        I couldn’t agree more. Shades of Stalin -a 20th century dinosaur (T,rex)

        • Hi Klonkie. Thanks for your kind words. Hope things in the Land of the Long White Cloud are well and that you are getting some sunshine in Auckland. Beautiful weather here in Durbs-rains have stopped, lots of sunshine and our dams are full and overflowing. All looking good for the Dusi marathon!!
          Cheers my friend

      • Another problem for Putin and Russia, is that he has been letting the Chinese set up shop in Eastern Russia, with farms and mines. If he isn’t careful he will have a much greater problem, when the Chinese start moving in en-masse and taking over.

      • Spot on Geoff. Putin is posturing and convincing himself and trying to convince the world that Russia is as powerful as the old Soviet Union. He wants NATO to step back from eastwards encroachment.
        I very much doubt that he seriously wants to invade Ukraine – he would gain little and stands to lose a lot, possibly everything.

  9. Exercise, coordinate and what have you but the ignominious defeat the Nato in general and US in particular suffered in Afghanistan is something all that training wih hitech toys and all the Rambo movies cant undo. In short it’s the man behind the gun and not the gun that counts in the real world or rather the real battlefield for real battles are not fought in Hollywood. Btw just name one major war the US has fought and won starting from ww2 to Korea to Vietnam to iraq to Afghanistan. And one country which could defend itself that the us and its allies have dared to attack.

  11. Does anyone know just how well the RAF Typhoons perform at Red Flag? I know there are various scenarios they work through and it’s not a free-for-all but what little I could gather on the internet indicates it’s pretty formidable with one source saying other fighter pilots consider it quite the achievement if they get a Typhoon kill.

    Does anyone know if the RAF brings all it’s Typhoon toys to play (Stryker helmet, etc,.)?

    Thanks everyone!

    • I recall Typhoons s have gone head to head with Raptors in a WVR scenario and done very well. Also the Typhoons IRST had caused a stir in the US being able to track steathly opponents. Theres claims it can track a steath jet at upto 100km. Theres speculation that new coatings seen on the F117, F22 and now the F35 are to reduce IR signatures and effectiveness of IRST .

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