It’s air combat season once again in the Silver State, with the latest Red Flag underway now through Feb. 18 at Nellis AFB, Nev. Air Combat Command’s Red Flag 06-1 comprises more than 80 aircraft, flying day and night sorties at the nearby Nevada Test and Training Range. Joining USAF air and ground crews are airmen from the US Navy, United Kingdom, and Australia, as well as US Army forces.
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. assumed leadership of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, succeeding Navy Adm. John Aquilino at a change of command ceremony, urging action amid China's “increasing intrusive and expansionist claims,” on May 3