The first Exercise Red Flag Nellis of 2023 is off to a flying start at the Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, US. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has deployed up to five Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic ωαяfare aircrafts from No. 6 Squadron and approximately 100 aviators in support of the Exercise to enhance Australia’s air power interoperability with partner nations. The combined force training between the Royal Australian Air Force, the United States Air Force and the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force provided a critical opportunity for partner nations to enhance their skills.

The EA-18G Growler is an electronic warfare aircraft based on the F/A-18F Super Hornet platform. It is designed to jam and suppress enemy radar and communications systems, providing electronic protection to friendly forces. The RAAF operates a fleet of EA-18G Growlers, which have participated in various international exercises, including Red Flag Nellis, to enhance their readiness and proficiency in complex air combat scenarios.

However, please note that my information is based on data available before September 2021, and there may have been subsequent deployments or developments since then. For the most up-to-date information on the RAAF’s participation in Exercise Red Flag Nellis or any other military exercises, I recommend consulting reliable news sources or official announcements from the Royal Australian Air Force.

“Exercises like Red Flag Nellis are an opportunity to advance relationships and interoperability with the United States and United Kingdom. Although Australia conducts similar training activities domestically, the scope and scale of Red Flag Nellis cannot be replicated within Australia,” RAAF’s Director General Air – Air Commodore John Haly said.

“Exercise Red Flag Nellis would provide complex and advanced aerial training against simulated targets and realistic threat systems. This training helps ensure RAAF remains ready to deploy aircraft and personnel away from their home base and sustain high-tempo operations,” RAAF’s Exercise Detachment Commander, Wing Commander Steven Thornton said.

Exercise Red Flag (also Red Flag – Nellis) is a two-week advanced aerial combat training exercise held several times a year by the U.S. Air Force. It aims to offer realistic air-combat training for military pilots and other flight crew members from the U.S. and allied countries. Each year, three to six Red Flag exercises are held at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, while up to four more, dubbed Red Flag – Alaska, are held at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Red Flag exercises are conducted under the control of the U.S. Air Force Wαяfare Center (USAFWC) at Nellis. The training occurs at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada on the Nevada Test and Training Range with more than 12,000 square miles of airspace and 2.9 million acres of land. Exercise Red Flag Nellis will conclude on 10 February 2023.