Context:
An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent participated in Exercise Red Flag 2024 conducted at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska of the United States Air Force, from 04 Jun to 14 Jun 24.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
About:
- The second edition of Ex Red Flag 2024, an advanced aerial combat training exercise held four times annually by the US Air Force, took place recently.
- Participants included the Indian Air Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Royal Air Force (RAF) of the United Kingdom, Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), German Luftwaffe, and the US Air Force (USAF).
- Red Flag is an air combat exercise featuring realistic combat scenarios, dividing forces into Red Force (simulating Air Defence with USAF Aggressor Squadron’s F-16 and F-15 aircraft) and Blue Force (simulating Offensive Composite elements).
- This year marked the debut of the Indian Air Force’s Rafale aircraft in the exercise, operating alongside RSAF and USAF F-16s, F-15s, and A-10s.
- The missions included Beyond Visual Range combat exercises in Large Force Engagements, focusing on Offensive Counter Air and Air Defence roles.
