TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- More than 200 Airmen from Tyndall recently returned from Red Flag 17-3 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
More than 2,500 joint warfighters from the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy participated in the exercise, strengthening interoperability. The exercise is the United States Air Force's premier air-to-air combat training exercise and one of its largest joint exercises.
Ten F-22 Raptors from the 95th Fighter Squadron here, joined elements of two F-35 squadrons, as well as multiple units and airframes from around the world.
“Red Flag gives us the chance to work with other platforms and other services that we don't routinely integrate with, but will definitely work with when deployed,” said Col. Michael Hernandez, 325th Fighter Wing commander. “It's the best place in the world to train for the integration that we'll need to succeed in a high-end fight.”
Red Flag 17-3 was exclusively reserved for U.S. military forces, which allows for specific training when coordinating 5th generation assets.
The exercise provided a unique training opportunity to integrate capabilities of multiple weapons systems. It was the largest integration of 5th generation assets at a Red Flag to date with the participation of the F-22, F-35A and F-35B Lightning II squadrons.
The 325th Aircraft Maintenance Unit was awarded the Red Flag 17-3 Outstanding Unit Award.
“Being able to participate and show off the tremendous abilities and skills of these Airmen is nothing short of amazing,” said 1st Lt. Brandon Toothaker, 325th AMXS, 95th Maintenance Unit assistant officer in-charge. “We have some of the best maintainers in the world and they showed that by winning the outstanding unit award.”
Maintainers worked 24 hours per day providing safe, flight ready jets. For the pilots, the exercise provided a realistic training environment and a pre-flight and post-flight training forum that encourages a free exchange of ideas.
“Thanks to everyone on the Red Flag staff and the Nellis team for making this successful,” said Hernandez. “And thank you to the Airmen from Tyndall who worked together to tackle every challenge and make this a successful exercise.”