25 February 2025
Personnel from Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom have joined forces at Exercise Red Flag Nellis 25-1 and Exercise Bamboo Eagle 25-1 to enhance coordination and integration during critical ground operations, ensuring aircraft readiness for complex missions.
These multinational exercises focused on refining the collaboration between ground support teams, ensuring smooth operations despite the challenges of a fast-paced environment.
Technicians from all three countries worked together to maintain aircraft, adapt and coordinate logistics while operating under pressure on the Nellis Air Force Base flight line in Nevada.
Aircraftman Jacob McNee, an aircraft technician from RAAF’s 77 Squadron, reflected on the significance of the experience.
“Being here at Air Force Base Nellis is an amazing opportunity to work alongside allies and partners and their jets like Super Hornets, Growlers and Typhoons,” Aircraftman McNee said.
“It’s incredible knowing we played a part in getting them ready for missions, and it's a collective effort to get the right tools and resources in place.”
These efforts were vital in supporting the air combat missions conducted during the exercises and provided a unique opportunity for international learning.
'Exercises Red Flag and Bamboo Eagle are great opportunities to iron out the details and address any issues in a training environment. It prepares everyone for real-life situations and events.'
The international scope of these exercises unties various approaches to maintenance and support operations.
First Lieutenant Benjamin Brooks, a US Air Force maintenance officer, spoke about the learning opportunities from working alongside international allies.
“Exercises Red Flag and Bamboo Eagle are great opportunities to iron out the details and address any issues in a training environment. It prepares everyone for real-life situations and events,” he said.
“It’s rewarding to witness the cooperation that helps us get the job done.”
With personnel from multiple nations working together, the exercise strengthened international relationships and enhanced interoperability for future operations.
The nations involved gained critical insights into operating more effectively as a unified force through the combined efforts of technicians, support staff and aircrew.
“It's rewarding to know that our work on the ground supports their operations,” Aircraftman McNee said.
