Friendlies and aggressors squared off over Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, in May at the first Gunfighter Flag held at the base. Some 40 aircraft of six different types participated in offensive and defensive air operations, reports The Gunfighter. Alongside F-15C/Ds, F-15Es, and F-16s of Mountain Home were F-16s from Luke AFB, Ariz., B-52s from Barksdale AFB, La., E-3s from Tinker AFB, Okla., B-1Bs from Ellsworth AFB, S.D., and F-15s from the Oregon Air National Guard. During offensive counter air ops, the visitors played “red” air, while the roles reversed during defensive ops.
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.