Red Flag Alaska 16-3

Red Flag Alaska 16-3 Overview

Red Flag Alaska started at Clark AB, Philippines in 1976. Upon its closure this Air Exercise has moved to Eielson AFB, Alaska and renamed Cope Thunder.  In 2006 it was again renamed, this time Red Flag Alaska (RFA) which still stands today. This multi-service and multinational exercise has hosted various USAF units from the US Navy, US Marines and International Air Forces like Japan, Korea, Singapore, India and our NATO allies.

RFA 16-3 was the last exercise at Eielson AFB for fiscal year 2016.  It was held from Aug 4^th to Aug 19^th. .  Compared to the Red Flag Exercises held at Nellis AFB, NV,  this was smaller and comprised of about 80+ combat and supporting aircraft as well as hundreds of participants to include the local 18th Aggressor Squadron, pilots, service members and aircraft from 13th FW, Misawa Air Base, 35^th FS, Kunsan AB,  336^th FS, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, 409th TFS, Royal Canadian Air Force 409th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Cold Lake, Canada, MacDill AFB, the local 168th Air Refueling Squadron, VAQ-135, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Schriever AFB, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Please refer to the following link for detail report:

https://airwingspotter.com/red-flag-alaska-16-3-detail-report/

Here are some of the teaser pix.. Please refer to the above link for detail coverage of this Air Ex.

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank the 354^th FW/Public Affairs Office for extending their great hospitality to Airwingspotter.  The exposure and amount of coverage they allowed us was second to none. A very special thank you to Master Sgt Karen Tomasik for hosting this event both on the runways and the interview panel and for accommodating us photographers in getting the best picture possible.

CPT Zani Elias

LT Luke Nimmo

Staff Sgt Ashley Taylor

Master Sgt. Karen Tomasik

We would like to thank the following units participated in the Media Day Interview panel

Sr Airman Wall                  35^th ARW/80 MRS

1LT Moron                         336^th FS

CPT Eden                            336^th FS

LTC Radiff                          409 TFS

CPT Mayfield                     35^th FS

Ssgt Huls                             93 ARS

LT Trimble                          93 ARS

CPT Davis                           93 ARS

MAJ Riley                            353 CTS

MAJ Harrigan                     527 SAS

 

Photo and Article by

Dave Chng