Airman 1st Class Erik Lane, 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief from Misawa Air Force Base, Japan, writes down information after testing the oil from an F-16 Fighting Falcon during Green Flag-West 12-8 June 19, 2012, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The exercise takes place 10 times a year. Green Flag-West provides a realistic close-air support training environment for forces preparing to support worldwide combat operations.
U.S. Air Force Capt. Joshua Masopust, 14th Fighter Squadron pilot, Misawa Air Base, Japan, conducts a pre-flight inspection for an F-16C Fighting Falcon. Green Flag exercises provide critical joint training for approximately 75,000 joint and coalition personnel per year.
U.S. Marine Capt. Dan Fiust, Marine Attack Squadron 513 pilot from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., checks equipment in his AV-8B Harrier. The Harrier pilots, along with F-16 pilots from Misawa Air Base, Japan worked together to deliver air-to-ground attacks coordinated by ground forces.
U.S. Marine Cpl. Steven White, Marine Attack Squadron 513 aviation mechanic from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., marshals a AV-8B Harrier. The Harriers flew training missions that improved their ability to support U.S. Air Force Joint Terminal Air Controllers, Airmen on the ground who were in turn training on their ability to call in air strikes.
U.S. Air Force Capt. Dale Weller, 14th Fighter Squadron pilot from Misawa Air Base, Japan, finishes the post-flight checklist. On average, all four DOD services, including their National Guard and reserve components, participate in two Green Flag exercises each year. Air forces of other countries participate in one or more designated coalition exercises annually. Green Flag exercises provide critical joint training for approximately 75,000 joint and coalition personnel per year. This includes 3,000 sorties, 6,000 flight hours, and the expenditure of over 700,000 pounds of live and training ordnance.
U.S. Marine Cpl.Jose Hernandez, Marine Attack Squadron 513 aircraft engine mechanic from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., marshals a Harrier piloted by Capt. Paul Truog, also of MAS-513. Conducted by the 549th Combat Training Squadron at Nellis and the 12th Combat Training Squadron at Fort Irwin, Cal., Green Flag West provides a realistic close-air support training environment for Airmen and Soldiers preparing to deploy in support of combat operations in Southwest Asia.
U.S. Air Force Capt. Joshua Masopust, 14th Fighter Squadron pilot from Misawa Air Base, Japan, conducts a pre-flight inspection for an F-16C Fighting Falcon. Green Flag exercises allow aircraft and crews to fly and train from Nellis AFB in support of ground combat training at Fort Irwin, Calif.
Airman 1st Class Benjamin Schwartz, 552nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief and Staff Sgt. Jeffrey White, 522nd Maintenance Squadron fuels systems craftsman, both from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., cover a E-3 Sentry’s engines after a six-hour flight. The E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system (AWACS) that provides situational awareness of friendly, neutral and hostile activity, and command and control of combat forces.
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class William Watson, 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief from Misawa Air Base, Japan, conducts a pre-flight inspection for an F-16 Fighting Falcon. The Green Flag mission begins long before tactical operations occur on the battlefield. 549th Combat Training Squadron planners begin designing the exercise with Army planners six months before forces arrive to begin maneuvers. Air Combat Command determines which, and how many flying units will participate and the 549th CTS works with those units, along with US Army planners, to build an integrated plan to maximize joint and individual unit training.
