UAE participates in first Red Flag

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE Nev.-- An F-16E from Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates takes off for a training mission during Red Flag 09-5 Aug. 26. This is the first time the nation has participated in Red Flag--a realistic air combat training exercise conducted over the 15,000-square-mile Nevada Test and Training Range north of Las Vegas. The two-week exercise is administered through the 414th Combat Training Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base and is just one in a series of advanced training programs offered by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center. In addition to the United Arab Emirates, U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marines Corps units from Nevada, Massachusetts, Utah, Louisiana, California, Washington, Oklahoma, Florida and Kansas; as well as allied forces from Italy are participating in Red Flag 09-5. The exercise ends Sept. 4. (U. S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth/Released)

Barksdale participates in Red Flag 09-5

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE Nev.-- A B-52H from the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., takes off for a training mission during Red Flag 09-5 Aug 26. Red Flag is a realistic air combat training exercise conducted over the 15,000-square-mile Nevada Test and Training Range north of Las Vegas. The two-week exercise is administered through the 414th Combat Training Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base and is just one in a series of advanced training programs offered by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center. U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marines Corps units from Nevada, Massachusetts, Utah, Louisiana, California, Washington, Oklahoma, Florida and Kansas are participating in Red Flag 09-5 along with allied forces from Italy and the United Arab Emirates. The exercise ends Sept. 4. (U. S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth/Released)

U.S. Navy participates in Red Flag 09-5

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev.-- U.S. Navy Airman Jimmy Main, an EA-6B Prowler flight captain from Electronic Attack Squadron 133, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., salutes Lt. Cmdr. Kelly Richards during a Red Flag 09-5 sortie launch Aug. 24. Red Flag is a realistic air combat training exercise conducted over the 15,000-square-mile Nevada Test and Training Range north of Las Vegas. The two-week exercise is administered through the 414th Combat Training Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base and is just one in a series of advanced training programs offered by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center. U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marines Corps units from Nevada, Massachusetts, Utah, Louisiana, California, Washington, Oklahoma, Florida and Kansas are participating in Red Flag 09-5 along with allied forces from Italy and the United Arab Emirates. The exercise ends Sept. 4. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brett Clashman/Released)

U.S. Navy participates in Red Flag 09-5

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev.-- U.S. Navy Airman Fabian Lopez, a flight captain from Electronic Attack Squadron 133, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., prepares to launch an EA-6B Prowler piloted by Lt. Cmdr. Kelly Richards, during a Red Flag 09-5 sortie Aug. 24. Red Flag is a realistic air combat training exercise conducted over the 15,000-square-mile Nevada Test and Training Range north of Las Vegas. The two-week exercise is administered through the 414th Combat Training Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base and is just one in a series of advanced training programs offered by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center. U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marines Corps units from Nevada, Massachusetts, Utah, Louisiana, California, Washington, Oklahoma, Florida and Kansas are participating in Red Flag 09-5 along with allied forces from Italy and the United Arab Emirates. The exercise ends Sept. 4. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brett Clashman/Released)

Italian Air Force finishes Green Flag, begins Red Flag

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE Nev.-- Italian Air Force Crew Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Francesco Alberico gives a thumbs up to a pilot of an AMX/A-1 before a training mission at Red Flag 09-5 Aug. 24. Before flying in Red Flag, the Italian Air Force participated in their first ever Green Flag—a realistic close air support training exercise for Airmen and Soldiers preparing to deploy in support of combat operations in Southwest Asia. During the two-week exercise held Aug. 7-21, the Italian Air Force worked closely with U.S. Air Force joint terminal attack controllers embedded with the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Irwin, Calif., to protect 6,000 Soldiers from an opposing enemy force in a 1,000-square-mile combat environment. Red Flag 09-5 ends Sept., 4. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth)(Released)

Italian Air Force ends Green Flag, begins Red Flag

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE Nev.-- Italian Air Force Crew Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Francesco Alberico conducts pre-flight checks on an AMX/A-1 before leaving for a training mission at Red Flag 09-5 Aug. 24. Before flying in Red Flag, the Italian Air Force participated in their first ever Green Flag—a realistic close air support training exercise for Airmen and Soldiers preparing to deploy in support of combat operations in Southwest Asia. During the two-week exercise held Aug. 7-21, the Italian Air Force worked closely with U.S. Air Force joint terminal attack controllers embedded with the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Irwin, Calif., to protect 6,000 Soldiers from an opposing enemy force in a 1,000-square-mile combat environment. Red Flag 09-5 ends Sept., 4. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth)(Released)