Air Force completes training exercises in the United States

Three weeks of high-intensity training between Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom ended today at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) deployed approximately 430 aviators and 18 aircraft to Nellis Air Force Base in January for Exercises Red Flag Nellis 25-1 and Bamboo Eagle 25-1.

Exercises Red Flag Nellis and Bamboo Eagle involved complex warfighting scenarios in airspace, training ranges and bases across the western United States.

The exercises simulated the threats facing contemporary air operations, and required aviators from all three nations to integrate across different aircraft and systems.

Group Captain Stewart Seeney led the RAAF contingent during these exercises, and said the scenarios ensured our aviators have the experience to succeed on operations.

“The United States Air Force has conducted Exercise Red Flag Nellis since 1975. This year involved two weeks of day- and night-time missions to the Nevada Test and Training Range,” Group Captain Seeney said.

“Exercise Bamboo Eagle was conducted across the western United States, and replicated the challenges of conducting long-range missions in the Indo-Pacific, including how we integrate aircraft and other systems across all domains.

“With more than a hundred aircraft and thousands of personnel across all three participating nations, Exercise Bamboo Eagle is unique in both scale and complexity, and provides our aviators with a highly complex and realistic training opportunity.”

RAAF participation in these exercises included F-35A Lightning IIs, F/A-18F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, and an E-7A Wedgetail, along with a No. 41 Wing Tactical Command and Control Team.

“The RAAF has deployed to Nellis Air Force Base for exercises since 1980, and this is the largest and most capable contingent that we’ve sent,” Group Captain Seeney said.

“We operate some of the most advanced air power systems in the world, and these exercises provide a necessary opportunity to test the limits of our capability.”

Australia’s involvement with Exercises Red Flag Nellis and Bamboo Eagle ensure the RAAF can meet the objectives outlined in the National Defence Strategy.

“We bring home the experience, proven tactics, and working relationships necessary for Air Force to integrate within a larger force and contribute to the defence of Australia and our immediate region,” Group Captain Seeney said.

“Our cooperation with the United States and United Kingdom in these exercises signals our commitment to the collective security of the Indo-Pacific.”

Media Note

Imagery, vision and interviews from RAAF personnel on these exercises is available from http://images.defence.gov.au/S20243501