A contingent of the Indian Air Force (IAF) participated in Exercise Red Flag 2024 held from 04 June to 14 June 24 at the United States Air Force's Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. This was the second edition of Exercise Red Flag 2024, an advanced aerial combat training exercise, conducted four times a year by the US Air Force. The exercise was attended by the Indian Air Force as well as the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom (RAF), Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), German Luftwaffe and US Air Force (USAF).
The Indian Air Force contingent participated with Rafale aircraft and personnel comprising Air Force crews, technicians, engineers, controllers and subject matter experts. The transatlantic ferry of the Rafale fighter aircraft was enabled by IL-78 Air to Air Refueller (AAR), while transportation of personnel and equipment was done by C-17 Globemaster aircraft. This contingent of IAF arrived at USAF Base Eielson in Alaska on 29 May 2024.
Red Flag is an aerial combat exercise, conducted with multiple scenarios designed to provide realistic combat settings. Forces are demarcated to simulate the desired environment, with the Red Force simulating air defence elements and the Blue Force simulating offensive composite elements. During this exercise (Ex), the Red Force was constituted by USAF Aggressor squadrons flying primarily F-16 and F-15 aircraft.
This was the first time that IAF Rafale aircraft participated in Ex Red Flag, in which they conducted military exercises with RSAF and USAF F-16 and F-15 and USAF A-10 aircraft. These missions conducted included Beyond Visual Range (BVR) combat exercises as a part of Large Force Engagement (LFE) in offensive counter air and air defence roles. The IAF crew actively participated in mission planning and also assumed leadership role for the designated missions during the exercise.
Despite challenging weather and almost sub-zero temperatures, the IAF maintenance crew worked diligently to ensure serviceability of all aircraft during the exercise period and more than 100 sorties were flown during the exercise and all the designated missions were successfully accomplished.
The key achievements of this military exercise included insights into inter-operability with international partners and collaborative understanding of employment philosophy in a multinational environment. The experience of travelling long distances and undergoing air-to-air refuelling en route was an enriching and thrilling experience, especially for the young crew.
