With the Red Flag in USA
Red Flag” offers a unique opportunity to imbibe lessons in an ever evolving aerial warfare canvas of ‘long range precision strike and beyond the visual range’ operations with the best
Mural
A retired Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force had once said “we don’t talk about top guns in the IAF but we have a knowledge culture and a will to do our best”. The three star Air Mrashal’s confidence only goes on to underscore, the Air Force’s quiet and professional determination to assess its potential at Exercise Red Flag, currently underway at the Nellis Air Force Base in USA, some time in July-August, 2008.
The Red Flag, is routine exercise, conducted regularly by the US. It is conceived for realistic combat training, involving the air forces of the US and its allies. It is an advanced training program administered by the US Air Warfare Center and Nellis, through their Combat Training Squadron. Although, India does not subscribe to this political division, the American invitation to India to participate undoubtedly, stems from a perception of the IAF’s potential as global war outfit. This is a formidable opportunity to imbibe lessons in an ever evolving aerial warfare canvas of ‘long range precision strike and beyond the visual range’ operations, among others. The Air Force has nominated a second generation combat pilot Group Captain Ajay Rathore as the exercise coordinator.
The IAF’s flying team will pitt their skills against the teams from South Korea, USA and the French Air Force and compete with the F-16’s, F-15’s and the French Rafael. The exercise format is within controlled parameters of time, accuracy, flight safety, maintenance and, to some extent, the ever growing considerations of inter-operability.
The nearly 250 strong Indian contingent, led by Group Captain D Chaudhury is participating with eight SU-30 MK-I multi role combat aircraft, two IL-78 air to air refuellers and one IL-76 transport aircraft. It has a small component of a Special Forces team, Garud, as well. The IAF Chief, Air Chief Marshal Fali Major took time off to see them off on their journey through bases in Qatar, Turkey, France and Portugal.
As this issue reaches our readers, the IAF team would have arrived at Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho, US on 17 Jul 08, where they will remain till 07 Aug 08. This is a preparatory stage to streamline procedures and have a clear understanding of the new flying environment. At Mountain Home, the IAF contingent would be flying with the F-16s & F-15s of US Air Force.
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What in the world happened to professional courtesy and respect?
