India-US participate in multinational air exercise

New Delhi, Jul 7: Indian Air Force (IAF) fighters will leave for the United States today to participate in a multinational air exercise 'Ex-Red Flag 08', scheduled to be held at Nellis Air Force Base from August 9.

The IAF will participate with eight SU-30 MK-I aircraft, two IL-78 air-to-air re-fuellers and one IL-76 transport aircraft. The contingent will comprise 156 personnel below officers' rank and 91 officers (inclusive of 10 members of 'Garud' IAF Special Force team). The contingent is being led by Gp Captain D Chaudhury and Exercise Coordinator would be Gp Captain Ajay Rathore.

The IAF will participate alongside South Korean Air Force with F-15K and the French Air Force with their latest Rafale aircraft, apart from the United States Air Force (USAF).

'Red Flag' was originally conceived in 1975 by USAF with an advanced aerial combat training format - the purpose being to ensure that pilots are trained well enough to survive in air combat and win air battles.

The 15-day exercise holds tremendous learning opportunity for all the participating air forces.

'Exercise Red Flag' is a multinational air exercise that is held thrice a year at Nellis Air Force base, USA.

ANI