RED FLAG-Alaska exercise underway

EIELSON AIR FORCE, Alaska -- The latest RED FLAG-Alaska exercise kicked off Monday at Eielson and Elmendorf AFB, AK.

This exercise is expected to be the largest iteration this year; with more than 2,500 personnel and 124 aircraft taking part in the large-force exercise and is scheduled to end June 25.

Air Force units from Shaw AFB, S.C., Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., Yokota AB, Japan, Kadena AB, Japan, Hickam AFB, HI and elements of the Louisiana and Florida Air National Guard are all participating in the 10-day exercise.

The U.S. Marine Corps is also represented by a Harrier squadron from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Yuma, Ariz.

At Eielson, the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force has sent F-15J fighter aircraft and KC-767 tanker aircraft to participate in the exercise and the Italian Air Force has sent a detachment of Tornado strike aircraft. At Elmendorf, Belgium and JASDF have sent C-130 transport aircraft.

Aircrews will challenge each other in varying combat scenarios over the skies of Alaska. The exercise is conducted at the Joint-Alaska Pacific Range Complex, a military range that spans nearly 67,000 square miles over much of the Eastern portion of Interior Alaska.

Photo By Scharnhorst