by Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska - Members of the 428th Fighter Squadron arrived here Oct. 3, 2012, to participate in the realistic, 10-day air combat training exercise known as Red Flag-Alaska.
Each Red Flag-Alaska exercise is a multiservice, combat operations exercise and corresponds to the designed operational capability of the participating units. Pilots and aircrews will train with a variety of platforms throughout the exercise.
"We are extremely excited to be here and ready to get started," said Lt. Col. Michael Quintini, 428th FS commander.
Most participating Red Flag-Alaska units arrive the week prior to the actual exercise. This gives aircrews and maintainers an opportunity to fly one or two range orientation flights, make physical and mental preparations, receive local safety and survival briefings, and work on developing orientation plans.
During the two-week employment phase of the exercise, aircrews are subjected to every conceivable combat threat. Scenarios are shaped to meet each exercise's specific training objectives.
At the height of the exercise, multiple fighters can be operating in the same airspace at one time. Typically, Red Flag-Alaska conducts two combat missions each day.