The 187th Fighter Wing (187 FW), also known as the “Red Tails,” participated in Sentry Savannah 2024, a major U.S. Air National Guard exercise held from May 4th to 16th, at the Air Dominance Center in Savannah, Georgia. This marked the unit’s first exercise deployment with their recently acquired F-35A Lightning II fighter jets.
The exercise presented a unique challenge for the Red Tails, being their first deployment with the F-35 and their first exercise in nearly two years. According to Col. Casey Hall, 187 FW Operations Group Commander, the Airmen faced “unfamiliar obstacles” but displayed “exceptional resilience and adaptation” throughout the training.
The Red Tails participated in a simulated large-scale air combat scenario over a vast 50,000-square-mile battlespace encompassing the eastern United States. This environment demanded the generation of numerous aircraft sorties, requiring the Red Tails to effectively plan, coordinate, and execute missions. The exercise encompassed a variety of modern air warfare challenges, such as coordinating closely with ground forces to ensure battlefield dominance. The Red Tails also honed their skills in offensive and defensive counter-air maneuvers, engaging in simulated dogfights to establish air superiority. Additionally, they practiced intercepting simulated cruise missiles, a critical skill for defending against potential enemy attacks.
Sentry Savannah provided a valuable platform for the Red Tails to integrate with other Air Force aircraft, including F-22s, F-16s, F-15s, KC-135s, and KC-46s. This interoperability training fostered a more realistic combat environment and exposed pilots to scenarios not encountered in routine exercises.
The participation of the Red Tails in Sentry Savannah 2024 focused on achieving three primary objectives. First and foremost, the exercise aimed to enhance the unit’s overall combat readiness and lethality. This involved ensuring that the Red Tails are prepared to deploy and effectively engage in modern warfare scenarios. Secondly, the exercise provided a valuable opportunity to refine the combat skills of the Red Tails’ aircrews. By participating in simulated air combat maneuvers and practicing tactics and procedures, the Red Tails were able to sharpen their abilities and ensure peak performance. Finally, Sentry Savannah served as a critical training ground for the Red Tails to gain proficiency in operating the F-35A Lightning II. As a recently transitioned unit, this exercise provided them with the opportunity to integrate the F-35 into their combat repertoire and become fully operational with this advanced fighter jet.
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