Report and photo by Robbie van Disseldorp
We can confirm that Red Flag 25-1 will take place from 27 January until 7 February 2025.
Red Flag is a large force, contested aerial combat training exercise held several times a year at both Nellis AFB, NV and Eielson AFB, AK. A Red Flag exercise provides aircrews the experience of multiple, intensive air combat sorties in the safety of a training environment.
As usual, the first Red Flag of the year at Nellis AFB is for Five Eyes (FVEY) intelligence alliance nations only. This means all participants will come from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The F-35 will be the star of the show with at least four F-35 units participating. Below is a list of expected participants.
Australia (RAAF)
F-35A no. 77sqn RAAF Base Williamstown
UK (RAF)
Typhoon ? ?
Voyager KC ? RAF Brize Norton
USA
USAF
B-2A 509th BW Whiteman AFB
B-52H ? ?
F-16CM/DM 20th FW Shaw AFB
F-22A 1st FW Langley AFB
F-35A 356th FS Eielson AFB
F-35A 421st FS Hill AFB
USMC
F-35B VMFA-211 MCAS Yuma
Just as in 2024, many of the Red Flag participants are expected to take part in a follow-up exercise called Bamboo Eagle. Some of these units will stay at Nellis AFB during Bamboo Eagle, while others will deploy to other bases in the region.
We will continue to update this story as more participant information becomes available.