MAFB Red Flag 15-3 participants return

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sahara L. Fales
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
Approximately 180 Minot Airmen returned from Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, July 31, 2015 and Aug. 1, 2015.

Along with 5th Bomb Wing personnel, the base sent four B-52H Stratofortress aircraft from the 69th Bomb Squadron to participate in exercise Red Flag 15-3, which took place July 13-31, 2015.

The three-week-long exercise provided crews realistic air combat missions in a training environment, which ensures participating air and ground crews are better prepared for future real-world operations.

"Red Flag is specifically tailored to prepare units for employment in real world situations under the most challenging conditions available. The expectation is that Red Flag should be more difficult than real combat," said Capt. Kevin, 69th BS. "With the high fidelity and extremely challenging environment of Red Flag, we should be able to fail, learn and improve in training, so that we are safe and effective in real combat scenarios."

To train for Red Flag, the squadron focused their sorties on joint employment, integrated planning and tactical knowledge of their own capabilities.

"For aircrew members, months of study, practice simulator flights and a comprehensive review of the administrative requirements of a Red Flag sortie are required to successfully employ in a challenging and rapidly changing environment," Kevin said.

Now that Red Flag has concluded, the 69th BS hopes to take away the knowledge and capability required to integrate with a total Air Force package. 

Getting to work with so many different players and learn how they do business compared to how we do ours is a priceless experience, said Capt. Britt, 69th BS aircraft commander.

"The most important aspect for the 69th Bomb Squadron at this Red Flag is the opportunity to educate our crew on how to integrate and fight alongside other air players no matter the environment," Kevin said. "We also want other crews to know the 69th BS is capable, versatile and ready to employ alongside the rest of our Air Force brothers and sisters to protect the United States and her allies."