Which Airplanes, Where?

Nellis AFB, Nev., currently has seven F-15C and 12 F-16C Block 32 and 42 aircraft serving in the aggressor role. Each type provides very different capability for Red Flag, Col. T.J. O’Shaughnessy, 57th Adversary Tactics Group commander, told reporters Tuesday at the Pentagon. The F-15—because of its significantly larger size—is a good replication of some of the threat airplanes, he said, while the F-16 does a good job replicating some of the smaller aircraft. Eielson AFB, Alaska, anticipates getting F-16C Block 30 aircraft for its Red Flag operations, although Brig. Gen. Dave Scott, head of the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson, said that there might be opportunities to bring Nellis F-15s to Eielson and bring Eielson F-16s down to Nellis. Nellis “will actually be supporting us with their aircraft and their pilots,” at next year’s Red-Flag Alaska, Scott said.