RAF Typhoon fighter jets are taking part in one of the world’s most demanding air combat exercises, Exercise Red Flag, which marks its 50th anniversary this year. Held at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, the exercise is designed to push pilots and aircrew to their limits, providing a realistic and complex environment to hone their war-fighting skills.
A Legacy of Combat Training
Established in 1975 by the United States Air Force (USAF) in response to lessons from the Vietnam War, Exercise Red Flag was created to simulate the first ten combat missions a pilot might face in battle. Today, it remains one of the most advanced air combat training programmes in the world.
This year’s exercise involves around 3,000 personnel, including more than 370 from the UK, alongside air forces from NATO and allied nations. The scenarios are designed to test pilots in large-force operations, incorporating multi-domain warfare elements including air, land, cyber, and space.
The RAF’s Contribution
The UK’s role in Red Flag 2025 includes:
- Eight Typhoon fighter jets, which form a key part of the RAF’s Quick Reaction Alert force.
- A Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft, ensuring extended flight time for combat operations.
- Rivet Joint aircrew, responsible for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
- Air Operations Controllers from 19 and 20 Squadron, coordinating air battle strategies.
Training in a High-Threat Environment
The exercise provides RAF pilots and aircrew with the opportunity to refine their tactics in a high-threat environment, facing a range of simulated adversaries, including:
- Enemy fighter jets, which replicate the tactics of potential adversaries.
- Ground-based radars and surface-to-air missile systems, requiring pilots to execute evasive manoeuvres.
- Cyber and space-based threats, reflecting the increasing role of technology in modern warfare.
The large-scale training also enhances multi-national cooperation, preparing RAF personnel to operate alongside allied air forces in real-world coalition missions.
Maintaining Combat Readiness
With global security challenges evolving, exercises like Red Flag ensure the RAF remains at the forefront of modern air warfare. The ability to conduct large-scale, coordinated air operations in contested environments is critical to maintaining the UK’s air power and strategic deterrence.
As RAF Typhoons engage in the exercise over the Nevada desert, Red Flag continues to provide invaluable experience, reinforcing the UK’s role in international defence and security.
