The Air Force would like the Indian Air Force to participate regularly in Red Flag multinational air combat training exercises, according to an English-language South Asian online news service. The Sindh Today newspaper reported Aug. 22 that USAF has invited the Indians to be a regular presence at Red Flag after being impressed by the prowess of IAF pilots who took part in the two-week Red Flag that concludes today at Nellis AFB, Nev. The IAF sent eight Su-30MKI multirole fighters and a support package to the exercise, marking its first participation. “IAF is a world class air force with great aircraft and great leadership,” said Capt Marcus Wilson, one of Nellis’ team chiefs for the exercise, according to the news service. “It is a great training opportunity for USAF and IAF to integrate our assets in training environment.”
An important U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS command and control plane was among the aircraft damaged in a March 27 Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.