Air Combat Command’s Air Warfare Center at Nellis AFB, Nev., is in the midst of the first Red Flag for the new fiscal year. The exercise, which runs through Oct. 20, comprises USAF F-16, F-15, C-130, KC-135, and E-3 AWACS aircraft and Navy EA-6 Prowlers. Officials say the next Red Flag, slated to begin in January, will include F-22 Raptors.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.