FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 27, 2018
Aircraft incident on Nellis Air Force Base
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. – At approximately 10:45 a.m. this morning, a military aircraft experienced an incident during takeoff on the Nellis Air Force Base flight line.
Emergency services are on scene. No serious injuries are reported.
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE:
Defence can confirm an incident involving an EA-18G Growler at Nellis Air Force Base during Exercise Red Flag. Royal Australian Air Force personnel are safe and no serious injuries have been sustained. Defence is currently working with the United States Air Force to investigate and will provide an update with further details once known. See photo of Growler below.
—————-
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev.The U.S. Air Force kicks off its largest three-week premier air-to-air combat training exercise, Red Flag 18-1, which will continue until Feb. 16, 2018.
Base officials want to remind Southern Nevada residents will notice increased military aircraft activity due to aircraft departing from Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, twice-a-day to participate in training exercises on the Nevada Test and Training Range.
“We’re trying a few new and different things with Red Flag 18-1,” said Col Michael Mathes, 414th Combat Training Squadron commander. “It’s the largest Red Flag ever with the largest number of participants, highlighting the balance of training efficiency with mission effectiveness.”
While Red Flag occurs in multiple iterations annually, each one has a unique training purpose – 18-1 is no exception.
“Red Flag 18-1 primarily is a strike package focused training venue that we integrate at a command and control level in support of joint task force operations,” said Mathes. “It’s a lot of words to say that we integrate every capability we can into strike operations that are flown out of Nellis Air Force Base.”
The training offered during Red Flag has prepared armed forces for future engagements.
“Red Flag remains a great mix of heritage and future potential,” said Mathes. “We are very proud of our heritage with the way that red flag had improved survivability and readiness over the years. We look forward as we continue to grow readiness through integrated training as well as improving training efficiency.”
The exercise typically involves a variety of attack, fighter and bomber aircraft as well as participants from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Air Force.
It’s that time again! The premier air-to-air combat training exercise #RedFlag 18-1 is in full effect @NellisAFB. https://t.co/HBW6hXBsDM pic.twitter.com/9yXU7BEZZC
— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) January 23, 2018
The Air Force begins its premier air-to-air combat training exercise, Red Flag 18-1, on Friday at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada https://t.co/dQCUEAESLO pic.twitter.com/PIgb3UgKJr
— Air Force Times (@AirForceTimes) January 26, 2018
Four of our EA-18G Growler aircraft and crews from No. 6 SQN are preparing to join the @RoyalAirForce and @usairforce on Exercise Red Flag. More at: https://t.co/YGZZxIALBd#AusAirForce #ExRedFlag pic.twitter.com/8a4U61DV6e
— RAAF – Aus_AirForce (@Aus_AirForce) January 22, 2018
Four of our EA-18G Growlers have touched down in #Nevada for Ex Red Flag. The jets and crews will be put through their paces from 29 Jan until 16 Feb with the @usairforce and @RoyalAirForce. More at: https://t.co/YGZZxIALBd#AusAirForce #FlyFightWin #ExRedFlag 🇦🇺🇬🇧🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/bKoey4mjro
— RAAF – Aus_AirForce (@Aus_AirForce) January 25, 2018
Courtesy Royal Air Force, UK
MAJOR ROLE FOR RAF AT WORLD’S PREMIER AIR COMBAT EXERCISE
The world’s premier air combat exercise is underway in Nevada, with the Royal Air Force (RAF) playing a major role alongside American and Australian counterparts.
Set at Nellis Air Force Base, Red Flag pits ‘Blue’ coalition forces against hostile ‘Red Force’ aggressors, mirroring real-life threats in air-to-air, air-to-ground, space and cyber warfare.
Typhoons, from 6 Squadron, RAF Lossiemouth, are operating in a swing-role capacity, fighting their way into hostile airspace, launching precision strikes on ground targets and fighting their way out again.
