Tyndall hosts more than 50 aircraft at Checkered Flag Exercise

  • Published
  • By 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Checkered Flag 23-1, one of the largest air-to-air exercises in the Department of Defense, kicks off today at Tyndall AFB and will run through Nov 10. Checkered Flag is a large-scale aerial exercise designed to integrate fourth and fifth-generation airframes to enhance mobility, deployment, and employment capabilities of aviators and maintainers. The two-week long exercise focuses on the integration of the F-22 Raptor and F-35A Lightning II with fourth generation aircraft (including the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, and others) in a large-force exercise. 

Held twice per fiscal year, the exercise directly supports the Air Combat Command commander’s plan to train the Immediate Response Force – a dedicated force ready for worldwide, rapid response to unforeseen or unplanned operations. Team Tyndall is supporting approximately 1200 joint and coalition personnel from seven squadrons, including participation from the Royal Australian Air Force. In addition, several other tanker, fighter and special operations units along the Panhandle are supporting the exercise from off-station. They will train together in multiple aerial events, ranging from large force exercises to live-fire missile shoots, over the Air Force’s prestigious Gulf Range Complex. This airspace is one of the few ranges in the U.S. capable of supporting large-scale air combat training.

Media representatives are invited to base on Monday, Nov 7 to cover Checkered Flag. Representatives will meet at the Tyndall Visitor Control Center no later than 7:30 a.m. for escort to the flightline and need valid press affiliate credentials and a valid state-issued I.D. or driver’s license to attend. Checkered Flag participants will be available for interviews and media will tour various facets of the Checkered Flag mission alongside a group of civic leaders from the local community. A pre-produced b-roll package and photos will also be available. Phone interviews can be arranged if desired.

Please RSVP to 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs at (850) 283-3333 or 325fw.pa.publicaffairs@us.af.mil.To follow along with Checkered Flag, visit https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/CheckeredFlag.  

 

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