EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Visible heat waves from a Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 Hornet pour from the engines prior to launching July 6, 2011, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The RAAF is participating in RED FLAG-Alaska 11-2, a two week long exercise designed to give pilots aerial combat training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Two Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 Hornets launch side-by-side from the runway during RED FLAG-Alaska 11-2 July 11, 2011, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. RF-A, a two week long exercise, focuses on aerial combat training for U.S. and allied forces and is conducted within the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, a 67,000 square mile training range. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- An A-10 Thunderbolt II taxis past the air traffic control tower during RED FLAG-Alaska 11-2 July 11, 2011, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. RF-A, a two week long exercise, focuses on aerial combat training for U.S. and allied forces and is conducted within the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, a 67,000 square mile training range. The A-10 is assigned to the 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- An F-16 Fighting Falcon is prepared for shutdown after completing a familiarization flight July 6, 2011, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The F-16 is assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The 36th FS is participating in RED FLAG-Alaska 11-2, a two week long exercise providing aircrew realistic combat sorties, increasing their chances of survival in combat. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- An F-16 Fighting Falcon taxis to the runway as another F-16 Fighting Falcon Aggressor launches during RED FLAG-Alaska 11-2 July 11, 2011, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. RF-A allows participating units to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures as well as improve interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- A Japan Air Self Defense Force E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft soars over Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, July 6, 2011. The JASDF is participating in RED FLAG-Alaska 11-2, a two week long exercise providing aircrew realistic combat sorties, increasing their chances of survival in combat. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- The checker tailed F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 36th Fighter Squadron stand at the ready during RED FLAG-Alaska 11-2 July 6, 2011, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. RF-A is a two week long exercise designed to give pilots aerial combat training. The 36th Fighter Squadron is based at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- An F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot shows enthusiasm prior to his first sortie during RED FLAG-Alaska 11-2 July 11, 2011, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. RF-A enables aviators to sharpen their combat skills by flying simulated combat sorties in a realistic threat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

International RED FLAG-Alaska 11-2 exercise gets underway at Eielson

Published July 13, 2011