One of Pacific Air Forces’ premier combat training events recently kicked off at Eielson AFB, Alaska, with dozens of aircraft scheduled to take part in two weeks of realistic air and air-to-ground combat training as part of Red Flag Alaska 15-3. Red Flag-Alaska 15-3 includes aircraft and airmen from South Korea and Japan, along with Navy EA-18G Growlers from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash. Air Force participants include Aggressor F-16s from Eielson, along with A-10s and F-16s deployed from Osan AB, South Korea; F-16s from the Minnesota Air National Guard and KC-135s from McConnell AFB, Kansas, according to Eielson officials. The exercise focuses on “red air” training with partner and allied nations in the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, along with air support training. This iteration will feature paratroopers from JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and one scenario will see some 600 paratroopers jump into a drop zone during RF-A, simulate an airfield seizure, and prepare the field to receive incoming mobility and combat assets. More than 1,000 personnel and up to 60 aircraft typically participate in the training, according to Eielson officials. The exercise concludes on Aug. 21.
The U.S. conducted a drone strike in Iraq on Dec. 3, as the American troops there continue to be targeted by Iranian-backed militants. The strike took place near Kirkuk as the militants were preparing to attack U.S. troops in northern Iraq, a U.S. official told Air & Space Forces Magazine.…