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The Spanish Air Force in the Red Flag 16-4

08

Sep

It has been the first participation since 2008

Spanish EF-18s lined up at Nellis Air Force Base
Spanish EF-18s lined up at Nellis Air Force Base

After performing  along this week the redeployment to the national territory, the Spanish Air Force Expeditionary Group constituted to that purpose has completed its participation in the exercise Red Flag 16-4 which has taken place at Nellis Air Base, Nevada, between August 15 and 26.


The Group was composed by a total of 196 people, including personnel from the Air Combat Command, 12, 15 and 31 Wings, participating in the exercise, and other units and agencies.  The air assets assigned to the exercise have been eight EF-18 fighter bombers and two KC-130 Hercules tankers, as well as an Airbus A310, a Boeing 707 and two C-130 Hercules used for the airlift of troops and equipment, together with one  P-3 maritime patrol aircraft tasked for SAR coverage of the Group during the crossing of the Atlantic.


The aim of the exercise Red Flag 16-4, which also involved air units of the United States, Israel, United Arab Emirates and Pakistan, is to train an international coalition in the implementation of very diverse combined missions in a complex, high threat scenario as realistic as possible.


Additionally, the exercise poses a very demanding test for the Spanish Air Force projection capability to remote operation theaters.

Spanish F-18 pilots during their Norfolk stop
Spanish Hercules and Airbus at Nellis Air Force Base
The Spanish Chief of Staff was welcomed by the General in command of the US Air Warfare Center
P-3 crew in Air Rescue Service mission (SAR)
The Chief of Staff chatting with Spanish Red Flag participants