Minot's Red Flag Airmen "representing well"

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Wesley Wright
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  Minot's Airmen are in the thick of the "fight" at Red Flag here, training with coalition forces and demonstrating the might of the B-52H Stratofortress.

According to Lt. Col. Mac Langdon, 23rd BS detachment commander, the Warbirds are representing well and showing the world what the B-52 can do.

"We are demonstrating the capability to fly at a high altitude (40,000 feet) and penetrate deep into enemy territory to release multiple types of weapons," Colonel Langdon said.

Capt. Cory Hancock, 23rd BS pilot and aircraft commander, was one of the first of Minot's Warbirds involved in the mission to drop ordnance on the "enemy."

"Big picture, our mission was to go out and degrade enemy air defenses, surface-to-air missiles and other surface threats," Captain Hancock said. "It was a pretty neat experience. We were packaged together with a lot of our allies. It was eye-opening to be able to see how we integrate with foreign assets."

"It's an opportunity for us to learn their capabilities and limitations so we can work together better," added the captain.

Captain Hancock also said coalition forces were doing well with all tasks they were given. This was encouraging for the U.S. forces here, since these forces help make up the "blue" forces or "good guys."

The Warbirds are working hand-in-hand with U.S. allies to "attack" Nellis range targets such as mock airfields, vehicle convoys, tanks, parked aircraft, bunkered defensive positions and missile sites. These targets are defended by a variety of simulated ground and air threats to give participant aircrews the most realistic combat training possible.


Capt. Kera Averill, 23rd BS B-52 electronics warfare officer, is thankful for the training since defense of the aircraft rests with her.

"One of the biggest challenges I face is responding to threats on the fly," Captain Averill said. "What's different about the training here is we don't necessarily know where the threats are coming from. The training we're getting here is much more realistic than anything I've ever experienced."

Captain Averill said she was pleased with how well the B-52 was able to defend against aggressor forces following a recent training mission.

"I felt pretty good about what we were able to accomplish," she said. "I walked off the plane with a big smile on my face. Our forces are the best in the world, so if I can successfully thwart attacks by our forces, then I know I can keep the aircraft safe."

Captain Averill's challenges will only become more difficult in the coming days as the exercise calls for higher threats to the aircraft, including more ground threats from highly skilled operators.

Threats to the aircraft also include more than just aggressor forces in the sky. Constructing a solid flight plan that avoids as many threats as possible is key to the B-52 arriving on time and hitting its targets. The responsibility for this crucial task falls on the shoulders of the navigators.

Capt. Brandon Knutz is one such navigator for the 23rd BS B-52's.

"One of the challenges here that we don't necessarily have in Minot is not having regular fixed radar points," Captain Knutz said. "That can present a navigational challenge, but nothing we can't handle."

Radar navigators use fixed radar points to check the accuracy of the navigation system. Flying in a new area requires navigators to pay even more attention to detail, since they've never visually identified the radar points on their radar scope before.

Captain Knutz echoed his fellow aircrew members' sentiments about the training.

"This is my first trip to Red Flag," he said. "In terms of mission planning and execution, this is much more realistic and dynamic than anything I've ever experienced. It was the most fun flying I've ever had in a B-52."

Overall, Colonel Langdon expressed pride in how well Minot's Airmen have adapted to every different scenario thrown at them.

"I'm very proud of the crews," said the colonel. "We joined the battle when they had already ramped up the threats and scenarios. Our people jumped right in and did a good job prosecuting the targets. Everyone from maintenance to support elements to aircrews have done an amazing job."

The 23rd BS's maintenance operations officer, Capt. Hugh Cantwell, is equally proud of the work his maintainers are doing.

"Our people have been fantastic," Captain Cantwell said. "From a maintenance perspective, things couldn't have gone any better so far. Our Airmen are top-notch. They hit the ground running and can't wait for continued success."

The Warbirds will remain busy over the next several days, flying three sorties per day until Red Flag ends Aug. 1.