Red Flag 2018-1 – Airwingspotter.com

Red Flag 18-1

The 1st Flag for 2018 at Nellis AFB started from Jan 29th to Feb 16 2018. This flag have quite a good foreign participation including Royal Air Force no. 11 Squadron Typhoon FGR4, Voyager tanker and Royal Australian Air Force No. 6 Squadron, E/A-18G Growler Amberley Airbase. For this time period, Colorado ANG 120th FS was running some operations with weapon school and we get to photograph them before and after the red flag launch. Here are the participants corresponding to their role for Red Flag 18-1.

Role	Aircraft	Home Base
Red Team Air	F-16C T-38C	64 Aggressor Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV 435th FTS Randolph AFB, TX
Escort	F-22A F-15C F-35A F-16C FGR4 Typhoon	1st Wing, 94th FS, Joint Base Langley, VA 142nd Fighter Wing, Portland ANG Base, OR 6th Weapons Squadron, Nellis, AFB, NV 134 Fighter Squadron, Vermont ANG, VT No. 11 Squadron, RAF Coningsby, UK
Interdiction	B-1B F-15E A-10	7th Bomb Wing, 9th Squadron, Dyess AFB, TX 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson, AFB, NC 53rd Wing, 422nd TES, Nellis AFB, NV
SEAD	F-16CG F-16CM EA-18G EA-18G	31st FW, 510th Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy 20th FW, 55th Fighter Squadron, Shaw AFB, SC VAQ-135 NAS, Whidbey Island, WA No. 6 Squadron, RAAF Base Amberley
Command & Control	E-3G E-7A AP-3C Orion Sentinel R1	963rd or 964th AACS, Tinker AFB, OK No. 2 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown, NSW No. 10 or 11 Squadron, RAAF Edinburgh No. 5 Squadron, RAF Waddington, UK
Refueling	KC-135 KC-135 A330 Voyager	92nd Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild AFB, WA 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, UK RAF Brize Norton, United Kingdom
Search & Rescue	HH-60G HC-130J	55th RQS, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ 23rd Wing, Moody AFB, GA

There is also outside contractors doing red air including Draken flying the A-4k Skyhawk and L-129. Due to the accident on one of the Australian Air Force Growler during take off, We did not photograph any of the E/A-18G during our visit. They did resume flying after grounding for a week or more for investigations.

335th FS ” Chiefs”

Chiefs base out at Seymour Johnson AFB, NC flies the F-15E Strike Eagle doing the role of Interdiction.

Unit	Serial	Special markings	Tailcode	TYPE
335th FS Chiefs	87-171	green tail fin	SJ	F15E
335th FS Chiefs	89-502	green tail fin	SJ	F15E
335th FS Chiefs	87-196	green tail fin	SJ	F15E
335th FS Chiefs	88-1676	green tail fin	SJ	F15E
335th FS Chiefs	88-1708	green tail fin	SJ	F15E
335th FS Chiefs	88-1683	green tail fin	SJ	F15E
335th FS Chiefs	89-471	green tail fin	SJ	F15E
335th FS Chiefs	88-1695	green tail fin	SJ	F15E
335th FS Chiefs	87-175	green tail fin	SJ	F15E
335th FS Chiefs	89-476	green tail fin	SJ	F15E

: F-15e 335th FS Flex take off

: F-15e 335th FS Flex take off 2

: F-15e 335th FS under shot

: F-15e 335th FS receovery 1

: F-15e 335th FS closeup

: F-15e 335th FS receovery 2

: F-15e 335th FS recovery 3

: F-15e 335th FS return

55th FS Shaw AFB , SC

We always get Shaw F-16 participation in red flag. 18-1 is not exception with 55th FS coming in full force for the SEAD role.

Unit	Serial	Special markings	Tailcode	TYPE
55th FS SW	96-084	no color on tail	SW	F16C
55th FS SW	91-384	mission markings	SW	F16C
55th FS SW	97-110	blue checker 55th FS	SW	F16C
55th FS SW	AF930550	55th FS tail	SW	F16C
55th FS SW	91-355	blue checker 55th FS	SW	F16C
55th FS SW	93-546	blue checker 55th FS	SW	F16C
55th FS SW	96-084	no color on tail	SW	F16C
55th FS SW	94-045	blue checker 55th FS	SW	F16C
55th FS SW	93-532	blue checker 55th FS	SW	F16C
55th FS SW	91-381	blue checker 55th FS	SW	F16C
77th FS	01-052	gamblers red tail	SW	F16C
77th FS	91-371	gamblers red tail	SW	F16C
55th FS SW	AF030540	viper demo scheme	SW	F16C

: 55th FS F-16 recovery 1

: 55th FS F-16 recovery2

: 55th FS F-16 recovery3

: 55th FS F-16 recovery4

: 55th FS F-16 recovery5

: 55th FS F-16 recovery6

: 55th FS F-16 launch 1

: 55th FS F-16 launch 2

: 55th FS F-16 launch 3

: 55th FS F-16 launch tower

Weapon School and Test and Evaluation Squadron

We caught quite a bit of traffic from USAF Weapon school and 422nd TES because they were participating training in Red flag 18-1 and also with Colorado ANG 120th FS. Some of the F-35A I did not get the full serial number below.

Unit	Serial	Special markings	Tailcode	TYPE
433rd WS	83-027		WA	F15C
422nd TES	83-026		OT	F15C
422nd TES	12-5051	USAF WC	OT	F35A
422nd TES	12-5053		OT	F35A
66TH WS	5082		WA	F35A
	5138			F35A
66TH WS	5142		WA	F35A
433RD WS	83-037		WA	F15C
433RD WS	83-019		WA	F15C
66TH WS	5067	USAF WC	WA	F35A
66TH WS	5089		WA	F35A
66TH WS	5119		WA	F35A
422nd TES	5070		OT	F35A
66TH WS	79-186		WA	A-10C
66TH WS	78-671		WA	A-10C
422ND TES	91-325		OT	F15E
422ND TES	97-217		OT	F15E
422ND TES	90-256		OT	F15E

: Weapon school F15C

: 422nd tes F15C

: 422nd tes F15C

: Weapon school F35A 1

: Weapon school F35A 2

: Weapon school F35A 3

: Weapon school F35A 4

: Weapon school A-10C break

: WS A-10C recovery

: 422nd TES F-15E receovery

: 422nd TES f-15E recovery

: 422nd TES f-15E recovery2

: weapon school f-15E recovery

: weapon school f-16d recovery

: weapon school f-16C recovery

: weapon school f-15E recovery closeup

: weapon school f-15E recovery 3

: Weapon school A-10C

: loaded Weapon school F-15E

: Weapon school F15C launch

: Weapon school F15C hot ramp 2

: Weapon school F15C hot ramp

120th FS Colorado ANG

We were fortunate to photograph a few of the Colorado F-16C going up with weapon school, 422nd TES and Hill F-16

Unit	Serial	Special markings	Tailcode	TYPE
120TH FS CO ANG	86-368		CO	F16C
120TH FS CO ANG	86-338		CO	F16C
120TH FS CO ANG	87-241		CO	F16C
120TH FS CO ANG	88-401		CO	F16C

: 120th FS F-16 1

: 120th FS F-16 2

: 120th FS F-16 3

: 120th FS F-16 4

: Hill F-16C 1

: Hill F-16C

134th FS Vermont ANG, Green Mountain Boys

Vermont F-16 was flying their early Blk 30 F-16C. Most notable came from their 70th Anniversary Aircraft painted with a Green Tail.

Unit	Serial	Special markings	Tailcode	TYPE
134TH FS VT ANG	86-046		VT	F16D
134TH FS VT ANG	87-322		VT	F16C
134TH FS VT ANG	86-336	70TH ANNIVERSARY	VT	F16C
134TH FS VT ANG	87-326		VT	F16C
134TH FS VT ANG	86-288		VT	F16C
134TH FS VT ANG	86-365		VT	F16C
134TH FS VT ANG	87-312		VT	F16C

: 134th FS vermont F-16 1

: 134th FS vermont F-16 2

: 134th FS vermont F-16 3

: 134th FS vermont F-16 4

: 134th FS vermont F-16 5

: 134th FS vermont F-16 6

142nd FW ” Red Hawks” Oregon ANG

I overheard that some of the 142nd F-15C was use in “Red Air” but I could not get confirmation for this Flag. Oregon F-15C having those red hawks logo in the F15 tail makes them quite unique.

Unit	Serial	Special markings	Tailcode	TYPE
142ND FW OREGON ANG	80-024			F15C
142ND FW OREGON ANG	85-106			F15C
142ND FW OREGON ANG	84-021			F15C
142ND FW OREGON ANG	84-003			F15C
142ND FW OREGON ANG	82-016			F15C

: 142nd FW F-15C from Oregon ANG

: 142nd FW F-15C from Oregon ANG 1

: 142nd FW F-15C from Oregon ANG2

: 142nd FW F-15C from Oregon ANG3

: 142nd FW F-15C from Oregon ANG4

: 142nd FW F-15C from Oregon ANG5

94th FS “Hat in the Ring”

: 94thFS F22A 1

: 94thFS F22A 2

: 94thFS F22A 3

: 94thFS F22A 4

VAQ-135 Black Ravens

US Navy sent in their “electronic ” specialist EA-18G growler for this flag. Black Raven is base at NAS Whibey Island , WA, callsign Thunder. For 2018, VAQ135 CAG bird got a new paint job and here we have it.

Unit	Serial	Special markings	Tailcode	TYPE
VAQ135 BLACK RAVENS	524-168938		NL	E/A-18G
VAQ135 BLACK RAVENS	523-168935		NL	E/A-18G
VAQ135 BLACK RAVENS	520-16837	COLORBIRD	NL	E/A-18G

: vaq135 ea-18g 1 cag bird

: vaq135 ea-18g 1

: vaq135 ea-18g roll in

: vaq135 ea-18g 3 cag bird

: vaq135 ea-18g 2 cag bird

: vaq135 ea-18g 2

: vaq135 ea-18g 3

: vaq135 ea-18g hot ramp 1

: vaq135 ea-18g hot ramp 2

: vaq135 ea-18g hot ramp 3

11 Squadron RAF

11 or XI Squadron is one of the oldest RAF squadron. She was deactivated back in 2005 flying the Tornado F3 interceptor. 2006 she was reactivated flying the Typhoon.

Unit	Serial	Special markings	Tailcode	TYPE
RAF 11TH SQUADRON	ZK354			FGR4
RAF 11TH SQUADRON	ZK313			FGR4
RAF 11TH SQUADRON	ZK318	SQUADRON BADGE		FGR4
RAF 11TH SQUADRON	ZK364			FGR4

: typhoon fgr4 red flag 18-1 1

: typhoon fgr4 red flag 18-1 2

: typhoon fgr4 red flag 18-1 return1

: typhoon fgr4 red flag 18-1 return 2

: typhoon fgr4 red flag 18-1 recovery 1

: typhoon fgr4 red flag 18-1 recovery 2

: typhoon fgr4 red flag 18-1 hot ramp

: typhoon fgr4 red flag 18-1 5

: typhoon fgr4 red flag 18-1 6

Red Air 64th Aggressors

64th Aggressors is the only “Aggressor Asset” based out of Nellis. As of 2018, USAF is also contracting outside Adversary air assets like Draken. 2018 spot a few new camouflage schemes in the F-16C 64th is flying.

Unit	Serial	Special markings	Tailcode	TYPE
64TH AGGRESSORS	83-159	BLUE WHITE SPLINTER	WA	F16C
64TH AGGRESSORS	86-299	LIZARD	WA	F16C
64TH AGGRESSORS	85-418	BLUE SPLINTER 57ATG	WA	F16C
64TH AGGRESSORS	84-220	DESERT	WA	F16C
64TH AGGRESSORS	87-321	SHARK	WA	F16C
64TH AGGRESSORS	86-280	DARK GREY	WA	F16C

: 64th Aggressor flex launch 1

: 64th Aggressor flex launch 2

: 64th Aggressor flex launch 3

: 64th Aggressor flex launch 4

: 64th Aggressor recovery 1

: 64th Aggressor recovery 1

: 64th aggressors launch 1

: 64th aggressors launch 2

: 64th aggressors launch 3

: 64th aggressors launch 4

Draken International

Draken International, Inc. is a provider of tactical fighter aircraft for contract air services including military and contract customers. For red flag 18-1 we caught A-4 and L129 flying “Red Air” with the local 64th Aggressors.

Unit	Serial	Special markings	Tailcode	TYPE
Draken	N266EM			L129
Draken	N265EM			L129
Draken	N145EM			A-4K
Draken	N264EM			L129
Draken	N257EM			L129
Draken	N258EM			L129
Draken	N284EM			L129
Draken	N283EM			L129

: draken A-4k -1

: draken A-4

: Draken A4

: draken L129

: draken L129 1

: draken A4 recovery

: draken L129 coming home

: draken L129 recovery

: draken L129 recovery 1

425th FTS

This is one of the flag that we see T-38C posing as “Red Air”. We spot a number of T-38 doing Flex launch just like the Aggressors.

Unit	Serial	Special markings	Tailcode	TYPE
435TH FTS	68-201		RA	T38C
435TH FTS	67-844		RA	T38C
435TH FTS	68-195		RA	T38C

: 435th FTS launch

: 435th FTS recovery 1

: 435th FTS recovery 2

Heavies!

Our last section covers all the Heavies that was involved in Red Flag 18-1. This include 7th Bomber Wing, B-1B Dyess AFB, TX, 963rd and 964th AACS ” AWACS” E-3G from Tinker AFB, all tanker units

Unit	Serial	Special markings	Tailcode	TYPE
7th Bomb Wing, 9th Squadron	85-124		DY	B1B
7th Bomb Wing, 9th Squadron	85-087		DY	B1B
963rd or 964th AACS	80-0137			E3G
100TH ARW RAF MILDENHALL	37999			KC135
22ND ARW McCONNEL	23554			KC135
RAF	ZZ335			KC2
43RD AW	11-725		FT	KC-130J

: c-130J flex tae off 1

: c-130J flex tae off 1

: HH-60 red flag 18-1

: MC Connell KC-135 red flag 18-1

: RAF voyager KC2 red flag 18-1

: RAF voyager KC2 red flag 18-1 2

: B-1B red flag 18-1 2

: B-1B red flag 18-1

: B-1B red flag 18-1 3

: E-3G red flag 18-1

: E-3G red flag 18-1 2

: mildenhall KC-135 red flag 18-1

: mildenhall KC-135 red flag 18-1 2

: mildenhall KC-135 red flag 18-1 3

Overall a very special Flag Exercise 18-1 gives us. Mainly we get 2 traffic during the Exercise and also the foreign participation. I still felt a little disappointing not able to catch the Royal Australian Air Force E/A-18G Growler.

Article and Photographs by Dave Chng