Red Flag 16-1

An F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot prepares for takeoff during Red Flag 16-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 25, 2016. Red Flag is a realistic combat exercise involving U.S. and allied air forces conducting training operations on the 15,000 square mile Nevada Test and Training Range.

Senior Airman Aaron Wilson, a crew chief assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., places parking chocks against the tire of an F-15E Strike Eagle during pre-flight checks as part of Red Flag 16-1, Jan. 25, 2016. Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air, space and cyber forces of the U.S. and its allies, and is conducted on the vast bombing and gunnery ranges on the Nevada Test and Training Range.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon gets in position before takeoff during Red Flag 16-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 25, 2016. Red Flag involves a variety of attack, fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, airlift support, and search and rescue aircraft.

Crew members from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., carry equipment away after working on an F-15E during Red Flag 16-1, Jan. 25, 2016, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Red Flag is celebrating its 41st anniversary with Red Flag being a realistic combat training exercise involving the air, space and cyber forces of the U.S. and its allies, and is conducted on the vast bombing and gunnery ranges on the Nevada Test and Training Range. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jake Carter)

Crew members from the 157th Fighter Wing, McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., conduct pre-flight checks on an F-16CJ during Red Flag 16-1 Jan. 25, 2016, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Four branches of the U.S. military and air forces from allied nations participate in Red Flag. The training is conducted to familiarize forces for working together in future operations.

A pilot from the 104th Fighter Wing, 131st Fighter Squadron, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Mass., waits for instruction from his crew chief in preparation for takeoff during Red Flag 16-1 Jan. 26, 2016, at Nellis AFB. Flying units from around the globe deploy to Nellis AFB to participate in Red Flag, where it is held four times a year and organized by the 414th Combat Training Squadron.

An F-22 Raptor from the 325th Fighter Wing, 95th Fighter Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., takes off from Nellis AFB to participate in a Red Flag 16-1 exercise Jan. 26, 2016. Red Flag is celebrating its 41st anniversary with Red Flag being a realistic combat training exercise involving the air, space and cyber forces of the U.S. and its allies, and is conducted on the vast bombing and gunnery ranges on the Nevada Test and Training Range.

Major Scott Crowell, 325th Operations Group F-22 Raptor pilot, Senior Airmen Eric Woods, 95th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief and Senior Airman Brandon Hortman, 95th AMU avionics specialist, talk on the flightline during the first day of Red Flag 16-1, Jan. 25, at Nellis AFB, Nev. Tyndall Airmen are honing their skills with three weeks of exercise training alongside squadrons from around the world.

Five F-22 Raptors from Tyndall AFB, Fla., sit on the flightline during the first day of Red Flag 16-1, Jan. 25, at Nellis AFB, Nev. Red Flag is a joint, full-spectrum, readiness exercise designed to provide the most realistic combat training available.

Participants of Red Flag 16-1 listen to Colonel Derek C. France, 325th Fighter Wing commander and Red Flag 16-1 Air Expeditionary Wing commander, as he briefs Jan. 24 at the Nellis AFB theater. During the brief, Airmen learned the purpose of Red Flag and things to keep in mind when taking part in such an expansive exercise.

Team Tyndall members walk across the flight line Jan. 22 at Nellis AFB, Nev. The Airmen join more than 3,000 personnel from over 30 units including squadrons from Australia and the United Kingdom to participate in the most realistic combat training available.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 25, 2016, during Red Flag 16-1. Red Flag involves a variety of attack, fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, airlift, support, and search and rescue aircraft.

Major Scott Crowell, 325th Operations Group F-22 Raptor pilot, and Senior Airmen Eric Woods, 95th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, talk before Crowell takes flight on the first day of Red Flag 16-1, Jan. 25, at Nellis AFB, Nev. Integration is key at Red Flag, and Tyndall’s F-22s and Airmen join more than 130 aircraft and 3,000 personnel training during the exercise.

An F-22 Raptor assigned to the 95th Fighter Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla., takes off on the first day of Red Flag 16-1, Jan. 25 on the Nellis AFB, Nev. flightline. Tyndall’s F-22 Raptors bring a lot to the exercise as the jet’s stealth capabilities, advanced avionics, communication and sensory capabilities help augment the capabilities of the other aircraft.

Lt. Col. Matthew Fritz, 301st Fighter Squadron Director of Operations and F-22 Raptor pilot, and Airman 1st Class Nickalos Barnetine, 95th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, exchange gestures before takeoff, Jan. 25 on the Nellis AFB, Nev., flightline. More than 30 squadrons at Red Flag 16-1 will work together as they would in the field bringing them all together, possibly for the first time, before facing an actual threat.

Three F-15E Strike Eagles from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., sit on the flightline before takeoff during the first day of Red Flag 16-1, Jan. 25 at Nellis AFB Nev. More than 130 aircraft and 3,000 personnel from more than 30 units including squadrons from Australia and the United Kingdom have arrived at Nellis to participate in the most realistic combat training available.

An F-15E Strike Eagle from Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina taxis on the Nellis fligh tline before takeoff, Jan. 25. More than 30 squadrons at Red Flag 16-1 will work together as they would in the field bringing them all together, possibly for the first time, before facing an actual threat.

An F-15E Strike Eagle from Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C. taxis on the flightline before takeoff during Red Flag 16-1, Jan. 25, at Nellis AFB Nev. By gathering a multitude of diverse units together, the exercise facilitates readiness training on a higher level.

Maintainers from the U.S. Navy walk by F-15E Strike Eagles on the way to their jets at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 25, 2016, during Red Flag 16-1. Four branches of the military and coalition partners participate in Red Flag. The training is conducted to familiarize forces for working together in future operations.