Tyson V. Rininger

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  • Taking on the callsign, MiG-3, Col Michael 'Muff' McKinney looks over to Major Derek "Tazz" Routt flying MiG-6 as they prepare to taxi. During the first few days of Red Flag, Red Air will assume a less aggressive approach towards Blue Team aircraft. As the exercise progresses, so do the levels of aggression and complexity of tactics. Six F-16C Vipers took part in this particular sortie representing the Red Team.
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  • Taking on the callsign, MiG-3, Col Michael 'Muff' McKinney climbs into his F-16C Fighting Falcon in Aggressor colors. During the first few days of Red Flag, Red Air will assume a less aggressive approach towards Blue Team aircraft. As the exercise progresses, so do the levels of aggression and complexity of tactics. Six F-16C Vipers took part in this particular sortie representing the Red Team.
    jrf05_f16_7511.jpg
  • Following the afternoon sortie, Red Air retires to the casual confines of the in-house bar. With images of Stalin along with the cold war icons displaying the sicle and star, Red Air casually debriefs their flights against the Blue Team. Unlike the Blue Team, Red Air has the ability to regenerate their aircraft after being targeted along with other attributes allowing for the more 'relaxed' approach to individual sorties. Regarldess, training of Blue Air and more specifically, the Blue Four is priority.
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  • Zipping up the right leg portion of his G-suit, Major Derek "Tazz" Routt prepares to head out to his F-16C Falcon as part of the 64th Aggressor Squadron. "Tazz" is just one of the many players that makes up the Red Air portion of Red Flag. It will be his goal to either protect assets obtained by the enemy or invade Blue Force territory and acquire new ground. Either goal will require engaging or becoming engaged by opposing forces.
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  • The 64th Aggressor Squadron along with the newly reestablished 65th Aggressor Squadron portray the enemy either defending or invading imaginary countries over the Nellis Test and Training Range. While the mass pre-brief involving all participants from the Blue Team is taking place at Sutter Hall, Red Air holds their pre-brief seperately at their squadron building prior to taking flight.
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  • Prior to flight, pilots from the 64th Aggressor Squadron run down their individual checklists in the ready room. This pre-brief entails the discussion of the participant level training while the Blue Team holds their mass pre-brief held at Sutter Hall in the Red Flag Building. From here, pilots suit up and take to their aircraft to join the 80 to 100 others taking to the sky for one of two daily missions.
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  • Based out of Tinker AFB in Oklahoma, this AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) E-3 Sentry heads NorthWest towards the Nellis Range Complex. In the background are just some of the many components of Red Flag, A B-52H, Nimrod R-1 and another E-3 Sentry. The dome is 30 feet in diameter, six feet thick, and is held 11 feet above the fuselage by two struts. It contains a radar subsystem that permits surveillance from the Earth's surface up into the stratosphere, over land or water with a range of over 200 miles.
    jrf05_awacs_7847.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Dissimilar Formation Training Flight and Lead Check Ride departing Porterville, California on April 23, 2010, callsign Dragon Flight. Flying lead is CJ-6 Nanchang owner Ron 'Draggn 23' Morrell with check pilot Gordon 'Buzzard' Witter. In the number two position is CJ-6 Nanchang owner Chris 'Fuzz' Zimmer and check pilot Dave King. Flying the number three position is Yak-52 pilot and All Red Star President, Darrell 'Condor' Gary with photographer Tyson V. Rininger. In the number four position flying a Yak-52 is pilot Mark 'Weeds' Weidhaas.
    ARS10_yak52_2727.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Dissimilar Formation Training Flight and Lead Check Ride departing Porterville, California on April 23, 2010, callsign Dragon Flight. Flying lead is CJ-6 Nanchang owner Ron 'Draggn 23' Morrell with check pilot Gordon 'Buzzard' Witter. In the number two position is CJ-6 Nanchang owner Chris 'Fuzz' Zimmer and check pilot Dave King. Flying the number three position is Yak-52 pilot and All Red Star President, Darrell 'Condor' Gary with photographer Tyson V. Rininger. In the number four position flying a Yak-52 is pilot Mark 'Weeds' Weidhaas.
    ARS10_cj6a_nanchang_2708.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Dissimilar Formation Training Flight and Lead Check Ride departing Porterville, California on April 23, 2010, callsign Dragon Flight. Flying lead is CJ-6 Nanchang owner Ron 'Draggn 23' Morrell with check pilot Gordon 'Buzzard' Witter. In the number two position is CJ-6 Nanchang owner Chris 'Fuzz' Zimmer and check pilot Dave King. Flying the number three position is Yak-52 pilot and All Red Star President, Darrell 'Condor' Gary with photographer Tyson V. Rininger. In the number four position flying a Yak-52 is pilot Mark 'Weeds' Weidhaas.
    ARS10_cj6a_nanchang_2745.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Dissimilar Formation Training Flight departing Porterville, California on April 23, 2010, callsign Dragon Flight. Flying lead was CJ-6 Nanchang owner Ron 'Draggn 23' Morrell with photographer Tyson Rininger. In the number two position was T-34 Mentor owner Alan 'Rat 18' Trabilcy and passenger Don 'Rat 23' Andrews. Number three position is Yak-52 owner Scott Glaser and passenger Tom 'Rat 19' Mitchell. Flying number four position is Lancair owner Bob Mackey.
    ARS10_yak52_2340.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Dissimilar Formation Training Flight departing Porterville, California on April 23, 2010, callsign Dragon Flight. Flying lead was CJ-6 Nanchang owner Ron 'Draggn 23' Morrell with photographer Tyson Rininger. In the number two position was T-34 Mentor owner Alan 'Rat 18' Trabilcy and passenger Don 'Rat 23' Andrews. Number three position is Yak-52 owner Scott Glaser and passenger Tom 'Rat 19' Mitchell. Flying number four position is Lancair owner Bob Mackey.
    ARS10_t34_yak52_lancair_2505.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Formation Training Flight departing Porterville, California on Thursday, April 22, 2010, callsign Tiger Flight. Flying lead is Glasair owner Peter 'Pecker' Broen and check pilot, Craig Ekberg. Number two position in a T-34 Mentor was owner Kevin 'BB' Carson and photographer Tyson Rininger. Number three position was T-34 Mentor owner Tom 'Rat 19' Mitchell and Merv King. Number three position was Lancair owner Bob Mackey and safety pilot Hartley 'Postal' Postlethwhaite.
    ARS10_t34_1718.jpg
  • Robert Munoz of Westone Laboratories fits an Attenuating Custom Communications Earpiece System (ACCES) to participating All Red Star pilots.
    ARS10_pilot_fitting_2847.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Formation Training Flight departing Porterville, California on Thursday, April 22, 2010, callsign Tiger Flight. Flying lead is Glasair owner Peter 'Pecker' Broen and check pilot, Craig Ekberg. Number two position in a T-34 Mentor was owner Kevin 'BB' Carson and photographer Tyson Rininger. Number three position was T-34 Mentor owner Tom 'Rat 19' Mitchell and Merv King. Number three position was Lancair owner Bob Mackey and safety pilot Hartley 'Postal' Postlethwhaite.
    ARS10_glasair_1771.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Formation Training Flight departing Porterville, California on Thursday, April 22, 2010, callsign Tiger Flight. Flying lead is Glasair owner Peter 'Pecker' Broen and check pilot, Craig Ekberg. Number two position in a T-34 Mentor was owner Kevin 'BB' Carson and photographer Tyson Rininger. Number three position was T-34 Mentor owner Tom 'Rat 19' Mitchell and Merv King. Number three position was Lancair owner Bob Mackey and safety pilot Hartley 'Postal' Postlethwhaite.
    ARS10_glasair_1586.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Dissimilar Formation Training Flight and Lead Check Ride departing Porterville, California on April 23, 2010, callsign Dragon Flight. Flying lead is CJ-6 Nanchang owner Ron 'Draggn 23' Morrell with check pilot Gordon 'Buzzard' Witter. In the number two position is CJ-6 Nanchang owner Chris 'Fuzz' Zimmer and check pilot Dave King. Flying the number three position is Yak-52 pilot and All Red Star President, Darrell 'Condor' Gary with photographer Tyson V. Rininger. In the number four position flying a Yak-52 is pilot Mark 'Weeds' Weidhaas.
    ARS10_cj6a_yak52_2760.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Dissimilar Formation Training Flight and Lead Check Ride departing Porterville, California on April 23, 2010, callsign Dragon Flight. Flying lead is CJ-6 Nanchang owner Ron 'Draggn 23' Morrell with check pilot Gordon 'Buzzard' Witter. In the number two position is CJ-6 Nanchang owner Chris 'Fuzz' Zimmer and check pilot Dave King. Flying the number three position is Yak-52 pilot and All Red Star President, Darrell 'Condor' Gary with photographer Tyson V. Rininger. In the number four position flying a Yak-52 is pilot Mark 'Weeds' Weidhaas.
    ARS10_cj6a_nanchang_2744.jpg
  • Group shot of all attendees for the 2010 All Red Star IX Formation Safety Training Seminar.
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  • Awards Banquet at the conclusion of All Red Star IX, 2010.
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  • Awards Banquet at the conclusion of All Red Star IX, 2010.
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  • All Red Star IX Formation Station Training Flight departing Porterville on April 24, 2010, callsign Grimbo Flight. Flying lead is CJ-6 Nanchang owner Dee 'Grimmbo' Grimm with Photographer Tyson V. Rininger. In the number two position is CJ-6 Nanchang owner Dr. Warren 'Eyes' Hill and passenger Gil 'Bobo' Gutierrez.
    ARS10_cj6a_nanchang_3153.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Dissimilar Formation Training Flight departing Porterville, California on April 23, 2010, callsign Dragon Flight. Flying lead was CJ-6 Nanchang owner Ron 'Draggn 23' Morrell with photographer Tyson Rininger. In the number two position was T-34 Mentor owner Alan 'Rat 18' Trabilcy and passenger Don 'Rat 23' Andrews. Number three position is Yak-52 owner Scott Glaser and passenger Tom 'Rat 19' Mitchell. Flying number four position is Lancair owner Bob Mackey.
    ARS10_yak52_lancair_2268.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Formation Training Flight departing Porterville, California on Thursday, April 22, 2010, callsign Tiger Flight. Flying lead is Glasair owner Peter 'Pecker' Broen and check pilot, Craig Ekberg. Number two position in a T-34 Mentor was owner Kevin 'BB' Carson and photographer Tyson Rininger. Number three position was T-34 Mentor owner Tom 'Rat 19' Mitchell and Merv King. Number three position was Lancair owner Bob Mackey and safety pilot Hartley 'Postal' Postlethwhaite.
    ARS10_t34_lancair_1869.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Dissimilar Formation Training Flight departing Porterville, California on April 23, 2010, callsign Dragon Flight. Flying lead was CJ-6 Nanchang owner Ron 'Draggn 23' Morrell with photographer Tyson Rininger. In the number two position was T-34 Mentor owner Alan 'Rat 18' Trabilcy and passenger Don 'Rat 23' Andrews. Number three position is Yak-52 owner Scott Glaser and passenger Tom 'Rat 19' Mitchell. Flying number four position is Lancair owner Bob Mackey.
    ARS10_t34_2412.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Dissimilar Formation Training Flight departing Porterville, California on April 23, 2010, callsign Dragon Flight. Flying lead was CJ-6 Nanchang owner Ron 'Draggn 23' Morrell with photographer Tyson Rininger. In the number two position was T-34 Mentor owner Alan 'Rat 18' Trabilcy and passenger Don 'Rat 23' Andrews. Number three position is Yak-52 owner Scott Glaser and passenger Tom 'Rat 19' Mitchell. Flying number four position is Lancair owner Bob Mackey.
    ARS10_t34_2276.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Formation Training Flight departing Porterville, California on Thursday, April 22, 2010, callsign Tiger Flight. Flying lead is Glasair owner Peter 'Pecker' Broen and check pilot, Craig Ekberg. Number two position in a T-34 Mentor was owner Kevin 'BB' Carson and photographer Tyson Rininger. Number three position was T-34 Mentor owner Tom 'Rat 19' Mitchell and Merv King. Number three position was Lancair owner Bob Mackey and safety pilot Hartley 'Postal' Postlethwhaite.
    ARS10_t34_1701.jpg
  • Robert Munoz of Westone Laboratories fits an Attenuating Custom Communications Earpiece System (ACCES) to participating All Red Star pilots.
    ARS10_pilot_fitting_2839.jpg
  • Robert Munoz of Westone Laboratories fits an Attenuating Custom Communications Earpiece System (ACCES) to participating All Red Star pilots.
    ARS10_pilot_fitting_2605.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Formation Training Flight departing Porterville, California on Thursday, April 22, 2010, callsign Tiger Flight. Flying lead is Glasair owner Peter 'Pecker' Broen and check pilot, Craig Ekberg. Number two position in a T-34 Mentor was owner Kevin 'BB' Carson and photographer Tyson Rininger. Number three position was T-34 Mentor owner Tom 'Rat 19' Mitchell and Merv King. Number three position was Lancair owner Bob Mackey and safety pilot Hartley 'Postal' Postlethwhaite.
    ARS10_lancair_1751.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Formation Training Flight departing Porterville, California on Thursday, April 22, 2010, callsign Tiger Flight. Flying lead is Glasair owner Peter 'Pecker' Broen and check pilot, Craig Ekberg. Number two position in a T-34 Mentor was owner Kevin 'BB' Carson and photographer Tyson Rininger. Number three position was T-34 Mentor owner Tom 'Rat 19' Mitchell and Merv King. Number three position was Lancair owner Bob Mackey and safety pilot Hartley 'Postal' Postlethwhaite.
    ARS10_lancair_1633.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Formation Training Flight departing Porterville, California on Thursday, April 22, 2010, callsign Tiger Flight. Flying lead is Glasair owner Peter 'Pecker' Broen and check pilot, Craig Ekberg. Number two position in a T-34 Mentor was owner Kevin 'BB' Carson and photographer Tyson Rininger. Number three position was T-34 Mentor owner Tom 'Rat 19' Mitchell and Merv King. Number three position was Lancair owner Bob Mackey and safety pilot Hartley 'Postal' Postlethwhaite.
    ARS10_lancair_1606.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Formation Training Flight departing Porterville, California on Thursday, April 22, 2010, callsign Tiger Flight. Flying lead is Glasair owner Peter 'Pecker' Broen and check pilot, Craig Ekberg. Number two position in a T-34 Mentor was owner Kevin 'BB' Carson and photographer Tyson Rininger. Number three position was T-34 Mentor owner Tom 'Rat 19' Mitchell and Merv King. Number three position was Lancair owner Bob Mackey and safety pilot Hartley 'Postal' Postlethwhaite.
    ARS10_glasair_1790.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Formation Training Flight departing Porterville, California on Thursday, April 22, 2010, callsign Tiger Flight. Flying lead is Glasair owner Peter 'Pecker' Broen and check pilot, Craig Ekberg. Number two position in a T-34 Mentor was owner Kevin 'BB' Carson and photographer Tyson Rininger. Number three position was T-34 Mentor owner Tom 'Rat 19' Mitchell and Merv King. Number three position was Lancair owner Bob Mackey and safety pilot Hartley 'Postal' Postlethwhaite.
    ARS10_glasair_1786.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Formation Training Flight departing Porterville, California on Thursday, April 22, 2010, callsign Tiger Flight. Flying lead is Glasair owner Peter 'Pecker' Broen and check pilot, Craig Ekberg. Number two position in a T-34 Mentor was owner Kevin 'BB' Carson and photographer Tyson Rininger. Number three position was T-34 Mentor owner Tom 'Rat 19' Mitchell and Merv King. Number three position was Lancair owner Bob Mackey and safety pilot Hartley 'Postal' Postlethwhaite.
    ARS10_glasair_1775.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Formation Training Flight departing Porterville, California on Thursday, April 22, 2010, callsign Tiger Flight. Flying lead is Glasair owner Peter 'Pecker' Broen and check pilot, Craig Ekberg. Number two position in a T-34 Mentor was owner Kevin 'BB' Carson and photographer Tyson Rininger. Number three position was T-34 Mentor owner Tom 'Rat 19' Mitchell and Merv King. Number three position was Lancair owner Bob Mackey and safety pilot Hartley 'Postal' Postlethwhaite.
    ARS10_glasair_1616.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Formation Training Flight departing Porterville, California on Thursday, April 22, 2010, callsign Tiger Flight. Flying lead is Glasair owner Peter 'Pecker' Broen and check pilot, Craig Ekberg. Number two position in a T-34 Mentor was owner Kevin 'BB' Carson and photographer Tyson Rininger. Number three position was T-34 Mentor owner Tom 'Rat 19' Mitchell and Merv King. Number three position was Lancair owner Bob Mackey and safety pilot Hartley 'Postal' Postlethwhaite.
    ARS10_glasair_1602.jpg
  • Awards Banquet at the conclusion of All Red Star IX, 2010.
    ARS10_dinner_matthews_C1201.jpg
  • All Red Star IX Formation Training Flight departing Porterville, California on Thursday, April 22, 2010, callsign Tiger Flight. Flying lead is Glasair owner Peter 'Pecker' Broen and check pilot, Craig Ekberg. Number two position in a T-34 Mentor was owner Kevin 'BB' Carson and photographer Tyson Rininger. Number three position was T-34 Mentor owner Tom 'Rat 19' Mitchell and Merv King. Number three position was Lancair owner Bob Mackey and safety pilot Hartley 'Postal' Postlethwhaite.
    ARS10_carson_t34_1668.jpg
  • Awards Banquet at the conclusion of All Red Star IX, 2010.
    ARS10_awards_grimm_C1215.jpg
  • Awards Banquet at the conclusion of All Red Star IX, 2010.
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  • Awards Banquet at the conclusion of All Red Star IX, 2010.
    ARS10_awards_condor_C1236.jpg
  • Awards Banquet at the conclusion of All Red Star IX, 2010.
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  • Awards Banquet at the conclusion of All Red Star IX, 2010.
    ARS10_awards_maddawg_C1244.jpg
  • A Yakovlev Yak-50 S/N001 launches from Porterville Airport during All Red Star VII
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  • A Pittsburgh KC-135 from the 171st Aerial Refueling Wing shows off its nose art with a tanker from the 141st ARW based at Fairchild, Washington quietly sitting on the ramp. For each Red Flag sortie, a tanker is assigned to either Red Air or Blue Air to replenish fighters out on the Nellis Range. Typically, two tankers are provided for Blue Air due to the size of the force and one tanker for Red Air.
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  • Climbing aboard his F-16C Viper, "Tazz" will begin his in-cockpit preflight checks. Each sortie will last between two to three hours with multiple engagements of Blue Force aircraft. MiG-6, as he will be known for this flight, has the ability to regenerate after each time being 'shot down'. Besides "Tazz", Blue Air will also be forced to watch for SAM's, AAA fire and remote radar facilities.
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  • On the Southern side of Nellis Air Force Base reside some of the heavier aircraft including these B-1B Lancer bombers. Making up their own flightline, it's not uncommon for B-1's, B-2's E-3's as well as the larger allied aircraft such as C-130's and R1's to be parked away from the congested flightline to the North. Also located on this side of the base are the reventments used to shield aircraft being equipped with live weapons.
    jrf05_b1_7948.jpg
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  • Just one of dozens of aircraft to launch at night, this F-15 takes off from Nellis Air Force Base on its way to the Nellis Range Complex (NRC) for a few hours of nighttime combat. Compared to the Nellis Red Flag Exercise, Red Flag Alaska will provide five and a half times the amount of airspace with 66,000 square miles compared to the current 12,000 square miles offered by the NRC.
    redflag06_57th_f15_1030.jpg
  • MSgt Sheri Shaw rests her chin while cautiously guiding the refueling probe into an F-16's recepticle high over the Nellis Range. Located in the rear belly of the KC-135, the boomer lies flat while 'flying' the boom into the receptacle controlling two wings half way up the refueling probe. Without the support aircraft assisting red and blue air, Red Flag would be nowhere near as successful a program as it is today.
    redflag06_141_kc135_0507.jpg
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  • Eyes peering through his Head's Up Display (HUD), Major Derek "Tazz" Routt gives the "All Clear" signal prior to taxiing. The F-16's advanced Head's Up Display allows the pilot to acquire the aircraft's most important flight characteristic information at a glance rather than looking down into the cockpit losing sight of forward view. As callsign 'MiG-6', "Tazz" will join up with five other F-16C's from the 64th Aggressor Squadron as they engage the Blue Team over the Nellis Range Complex.
    jrf05_f16_7516.jpg
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  • In support of air-to-ground operations, the AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) E-3 Sentry can provide necessary information needed for reconnaissance, interdiction, airlift and close-air support for Blue Team ground forces. It can also provide information for commanders of air operations to gain and maintain control of the air battle. The E-3 can also be used as a surveillance asset in support of other government agencies and NATO countries.
    jrf05_awacs_7729.jpg
  • Launching from Runway Two-One Right, an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) provides the eyes and ears to the Blue Force. In support of air-to-ground operations, the Sentry can provide direct information needed for interdiction, reconnaissance, airlift and close-air support for friendly ground forces.
    jrf05_awacs_7724.jpg
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  • F-15E from the 90th Fighter Squadron stationed at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska blasts off from runway 3L. Encompassing a 66,000 square mile area, Red Flag Alaska will provide an immense geographical change for those accustomed to the typical Red Flag exercises held at Nellis AFB. Just as the Nellis Range Complex offers a diversely hostile desert environment, the Alaskan wilderness offers much of the same on the opposite end of the weather scale.
    redflag06_sj_f15_1711.jpg
  • The Royal Air Force participated in the Red Flag exercises with their aerial electronic platform, the Nimrod R-1.
    redflag06_r1_770.jpg
  • Turning to final approach, an Eglin Air Force Base stationed F-15C Eagle from the 33rd Fighter Wing, 58th Fighter Squadron returns from the Nellis Range. Aircraft from the 33rd in Florida and the 57th at Nellis typically work together as their roles both involve weapons testing and aircraft development. Red Flag exercises provide both squadrons with the ability to witness as well as try out new aerial tactics and maneuvers in a real world combat environment. Seen here is F-15C 85-0102, nicknamed 'Gulf Spirit' which shot down two IrAF Su-22s when flown by Capt Anthony R. Murphy of the 36th FW, 53rd FS on 7 Feb, 1991, during Operation Desert Storm and an IrAF MiG-23 on 29 Jan, 1994 with an AIM-7M.
    redflag06_eglin_f15_2574.jpg
  • The unmistakable silhouette of the Batman-like B-2A stealth bomber takes to the evening skies to begin the second round of the day's Red Flag exercises. Even during nighttime missions, nothing is held back. Aircraft numbers remain the same, missions and goals are increased in intensity and pilots are still expected to meet their respective objectives.
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  • This F-15E is from the 90th Fighter Squadron operating under the 3rd Wing stationed at Elmendorf AFB in Alaska. Although seen here taking off from runway 3L at Nellis AFB, fighter pilots from Alaska are beginning to feel right at home with the newly developed Red Flag Alaska replacing the already successful Cope Thunder exercises. Many aspects of Cope Thunder will remain unchanged despite the new name however, the name change will provide for a more integrated training environment.
    redflag06_alaska_f15_1797.jpg
  • An adversary F-16 representing the Red Team blasts off from Runway 3L at Nellis AFB. In the background is just a small sample of the aircraft present during Red Flag Exercises.
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  • A unique camoflouge scheme adorns the F-16C's from the 64th Aggressor Squadron. These aircraft make up the 'Red Team' and are use to intercept aircraft from the opposing 'Blue Team' as imaginary countries are either protected or invaded depending on the scenario.
    redflag06_64th_f16_1150.jpg
  • Flying loose formation is this F-15C Eagle of the 33rd Fighter Wing, 58th Fighter Squadron based at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. The two green stars located on the nose in front of the cockpit indicate that this F-15C was the airframe used to shoot down two MiG-29's during the first Gulf War. Just one of the many successes of past Red Flag training exercises.
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  • A group of four F-16C's return from the Nellis Range after completing a sortie. The objective of Red Flag is not only to familiarize pilots with a combat environment, but to introduce 'Blue Four' to these challenging conditions. Seen here flying in left echelon formation, 'Blue four' is so named for being the least experienced pilot typically flying in the fourth trailing position.
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  • MSgt Larry Stockton prepares to acknowledge aircraft entering the range should 'Challiss', the awaiting E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft, have unforseen communication problems. Besides the typical challenges Blue Air faces against Red Air, working together and providing redundant resources is just one of the many aspects for which the US Forces train.
    redflag06_141_kc135_2818.jpg
  • A KC-135 from the 141st Air National Guard Aerial Refueling Wing based at Fairchild, Washington takes to the sky to begin the nighttime Red Flag exercise. Typically there are two sorties each day with the first concluding shortly after noontime and the second beginning just before sunset for nighttime training.
    redflag06_141_kc135_2203.jpg
  • Utilizing a KC-135 from the 186th Mississippi ANG Refueling Wing, the aircrew of the 141st from Fairchild, Washington take enjoyment from a pair of fuzzy dice iconic of the Las Vegas area. Although 'Sin City' is located nearby and proves quite tempting for pilots and aircrew to visit, the grueling Red Flag schedule prohibits most from making a habit of throwing the dice.
    redflag06_141_kc135_1168.jpg
  • Captain Molly Marshall taps the throttles to stay within the predetermined oval flightpath above the Nellis Range Complex. During the exercise, KC-135 tankers fly predetermined routes awaiting fighters from the 'Red Team' and 'Blue Team' in need of fuel. The KC-135R tankers flying with various Air National Guard units throughout the US are amongst some of the oldest aircraft still in service.
    redflag06_141_kc135_0279.jpg
  • Captain Molly Marshall adjust knobs on the overhead console while maintaining a heading to stay within the predetermined oval flightpath above the Nellis Range Complex. During the exercise, KC-135 tankers fly predetermined routes awaiting fighters from the 'Red Team' and 'Blue Team' in need of fuel. KC-135 tankers flying with various Air National Guard units throught the US are amongst some of the oldest aircraft still in service.
    redflag06_141_kc135_0265.jpg
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