Red Flag 16-3 Night Operations

An F-16-CJ from the 79th Fighter Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., receives final preparations prior to a Red Flag 16-3 night training mission July 13, 2016 at Nellis AFB, Nev. The night operations aspects of Red Flag is crucial for aircrews looking to gain experience in low-light situations, giving U.S. and coalition Air Forces the strategic upper hand in current and future conflicts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Kleinholz/Released)

An Navy EA-18G from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, cruises down the Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. flightline after returning from a training sortie during Red Flag 16-3 July 13. During the exercise, the EA-18G is able to perform electronic warfare in support of air and ground forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jake Carter)

Capt. Matt Bender from the 20th Fighter Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., conducts pre-flight checks on his F-16 before a night sortie during Red Flag 16-3 July 13. Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies is conducted on the vast bombing and gunnery ranges of the Nevada Test and Training Range. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jake Carter)

Senior Airman Marques Jones, a maintainer assigned to 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., updates maintenance record for an F-16 CJ prior to a Red Flag 16-3 night training mission July 13, 2016 at Nellis AFB, Nev. Exhaustive efforts are made by ground crew members to ensure the operability of their assigned aircraft and in turn, the safety of the aircrew. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Kleinholz/Released)

Maintainers assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron-209, EA-18G, NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, standby to recover and assist the aircrew of an EA-18G Growler after completion of a Red Flag 16-3 training sortie July 13, 2016 at Nellis AFB, Nev. A typical Red Flag exercise involves a variety of attack, fighter and bomber aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, electronic warfare aircraft, air superiority aircraft, airlift support, search and rescue aircraft, aerial refueling aircraft, command and control aircraft, as well as ground based command and control, space, and cyber forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Kleinholz/Released)

Senior Airman Timothy Thomasula, a maintainer assigned to the 923rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., performs pre-flight checks on an HC-130J Combat King II prior to a Red Flag 16-3 night training mission July 13, 2016 at Nellis AFB, Nev. The HC-130J is an extended-range version of the C-130J Hercules transport. Its mission is to rapidly deploy and execute combatant commander directed recovery operations to austere airfields and denied territory for expeditionary, all weather personnel recovery operations, and forward area ground refueling missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Kleinholz/Released)

A pilot from the 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., goes over pre-flight checks on his F-16 before taking off for a night sortie during Red Flag 16-3 July 13. Red Flag exercises train Airmen in Air, Space and Cyberspace to better prepare them for future operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jake Carter)

Maintainers assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron-209, EA-18G, NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, standby to recover and assist the aircrew of an EA-18G Growler after completion of a Red Flag 16-3 training sortie July 13, 2016 at Nellis AFB, Nev. A variant of the combat-proven F/A-18F Super Hornet, the Growler provides tactical jamming and electronic protection to U.S. military forces and allies around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Kleinholz/Released)

Maintainers from the 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., marshal F-16 CJs into position prior to a Red Flag 16-3 night training mission July 13, 2016 at Nellis AFB, Nev. Night missions play a crucial role in Red Flag exercises, allowing aircrews and maintainers the opportunity to test their skills in challenging low-light conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Kleinholz/Released)

Senior Airman Josh Martinez, a maintainer assigned to 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., performs preventative maintenance tasks on an F-16 CJ prior to a Red Flag 16-3 night training mission July 13, 2016 at Nellis AFB, Nev. Maintainers are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day maintenance of aircraft, including diagnosing malfunctions and replacing components, and conducting various inspections to ensure the aircraft is functioning properly. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Kleinholz/Released)

Maintainers from the 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., change a tire on an F-16 CJ prior to a Red Flag 16-3 night training mission July 13, 2016 at Nellis AFB, Nev. Aircraft maintainers work through the night to ensure aircrews continue to receive an effective, but most of all safe, training experience. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Kleinholz/Released)

Senior Airman Frankie Harper, a loadmaster assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., performs pre-flight checks on an HC-130J Combat King II prior to a Red Flag 16-3 night training mission July 13, 2016 at Nellis AFB, Nev. HC-130J crews normally fly night at low to medium altitude levels in contested or sensitive environments, both over land or overwater. Crews use night vision goggles for tactical flight profiles to avoid detection to accomplish covert infiltration/exfiltration and transload operations. . (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Kleinholz/Released)