NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard participated in the Red Flag training exercise, hosted by the 414th Combat Training Squadron (CTS) at Nellis Air Force Base on the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) March 12-24, 2023.
Red Flag is a two-week advanced aerial combat exercise designed to provide realistic experience for military pilots, flight crew members and maintainers from various disciplines.
The 414th CTS simulates authentic combat scenarios in deployed settings by utilizing "enemy" hardware and live ammunition in a safe learning environment. Red Flag seeks to increase the skill-sets of multi-capable service members of all ranks, providing them with the experience necessary to engage potential conflicts.
“Training prioritizes first timer’s combat missions, mission commander upgrades and flag unique experiences that contribute most to readiness,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Jared Hutchinson, commander of the 414th CTS. “Additionally, participants will lead and learn in the world’s best combat debrief, while writing into the next chapter of the Red Flag’s resilient heritage.”
The NTTR is the U.S. Air Force’s premier military training area with more than 12,000 square miles of airspace and 2.9 million acres of land. Red Flag is where fighter pilots are trained to engage future adversaries, and where maintainers are trained to save lives.