"BLUE FLAG" Exercise [Israeli F-35i]

[spazsinbad]

More from 'How Blue is your flag'? FOUR PAGE PDF of ARTICLE now Attached below. Combat Aircraft February 2020 "This shot illustrates the various participants, from USAF F-16CMs and Italian and Israeli F-35s, to the F-15A Baz. Amit Agronov"

F-35 AT ‘BLUE FLAG’
"This marked the first time the F-35I Adir participated in ‘Blue Flag’. Lt Col ‘T’, who commands 140 ‘Golden Eagle’ Squadron at Nevatim, said, ‘So far our training and co-operation using the ‘Adir’ has been within the [Israeli Air] Force.’ The F-35s flew with radar/reflecting Luneburg lenses, but according to Lt Col Herman: ‘Certain profiles of missions and rules of engagement involved the F-35 being immune to certain ground-to-air threats.’ This probably reflected how a ‘cloaked’ F-35 would be able to work around such threat systems. Lt Col ‘T’ also commented on working with the Italian Lightnings: ‘Our ability to sit together, brief, debrief and exchange information allowed us to take a step forward in our work, and see how each side does things differently while optimizing use of the aircraft’s capabilities.’"

WAR GAMES IN THE NEGEV
"Ovda air base in Israel’s Negev Desert hosted Exercise ‘Blue Flag’ in November, which attracted five nations and some 70 aircraft including F-35s for the first time. REPORT Giovanni Colla"

[spazsinbad]

Blue Flag exercise has Israel’s enemies seeing red
04 Nov 2021 Bradley Bowman, Brig. Gen. Jacob Nagel (ret.) & Ryan Brobst

"Israel flexed its military and political muscle last month, hosting its largest and most advanced air force exercise ever. The Blue Flag 2021 exercise included dozens of fighter aircraft from at least eight major countries and a landmark visit from the chief of the United Arab Emirates Air Force.

The exercise provided flight crews an opportunity to share best practices, improve interoperability, and refine the integration of fourth- and fifth-generation fighter aircraft operations. Much to the chagrin of those who seek to delegitimize, isolate and attack Israel, the exercise also demonstrated growing international respect for Israel as a regional leader and military power with deep operational experience.

France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States all sent fighter aircraft and personnel to Israel to participate in Blue Flag 2021. Participating aircraft included Israeli F-35Is, F-15Ds and F-16Cs; French Rafales; U.K. Typhoons; Italian F-35s and G550 early warning aircraft; German Typhoons; Greek F-16s; and Indian Mirage 2000s. The United States had wanted to send F-35A aircraft in addition to the F-16C aircraft that participated, but couldn’t due to scheduling challenges....

...The Pentagon should also encourage both Israel and the United Arab Emirates to send robust contingents to the next Red Flag exercise at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada....

...The United States, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and others are right to celebrate the success of the Blue Flag 2021 exercise. Given the growing threats, however, they should not spend too much time congratulating themselves and would be wise to get to work now on urgent next steps."

Photo: "Blue Flag 21 participants fly together after the exercise kicked off at Uvda Air Base, Israel, on Oct. 17, 2021. (Courtesy of the Israeli Air Force)" https://www.defensenews.com/resizer/LHn ... format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/mco/HHT4FSFEW5HRHHHMWOK4JEIT3I.jpg

Source: https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/com ... eeing-red/

[charlielima223]

That is beautiful, its a shame the US couldn't be there because of "scheduling". (No proof just saying) I think the Biden administration didn't allow the USAF to be there. After all Biden's political party has the most blatant anti-semites and anti-Israel politicians in the Democrat party and Biden publicly said he wants to return the US to that (sh**ty) Iran nuclear deal. It would look bad for Biden to Iran if US F-35s and other fighter aircraft were zooming around with Israeli fighter aircraft in military exercises.

[mixelflick]

That is beautiful, its a shame the US couldn't be there because of "scheduling". (No proof just saying) I think the Biden administration didn't allow the USAF to be there. After all Biden's political party has the most blatant anti-semites and anti-Israel politicians in the Democrat party and Biden publicly said he wants to return the US to that (sh**ty) Iran nuclear deal. It would look bad for Biden to Iran if US F-35s and other fighter aircraft were zooming around with Israeli fighter aircraft in military exercises.

100% agree. And yet, most Jews vote Democrat. Does anyone know why?

The current administration and especially the far left wing of his party is strongly anti-semite/anti-Israel, and not making any secret about it. Given the far left nuts are dragging the Democrat party in this direction, it doesn't bode well for the future IMO. I want Israel to have the most advanced American hardware it can get, and worry that liberals will erode the current advantages the IAF enjoys..

[aussiebloke]

its a shame the US couldn't be there because of "scheduling". (No proof just saying) I think the Biden administration didn't allow the USAF to be there.

The USAF was there. The article above says so. USAF F-16s were there; just not USAF F-35As.
You can see a photo of one of the F-16s here:
https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6903176/ ... ue-flag-21

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet maintainers monitor aircraft generation of a U.S. Air Force F-16C from the 480th Fighter Squadron during Blue Flag 21 at Uvda Air Base, Israel, Oct. 24, 2021.

[steve2267]

Nice photo. To me it shows, yet again, that the visual signature of the F-35 is not much greater than the Viper, and appears to be slightly smaller than both the Rafale and Typhie.

[eagle3000]

That is beautiful, its a shame the US couldn't be there because of "scheduling".

3rd Viper from top is from the 480th FS / 52nd FW.

[optimist]

That is beautiful, its a shame the US couldn't be there because of "scheduling". (No proof just saying) I think the Biden administration didn't allow the USAF to be there. After all Biden's political party has the most blatant anti-semites and anti-Israel politicians in the Democrat party and Biden publicly said he wants to return the US to that (sh**ty) Iran nuclear deal. It would look bad for Biden to Iran if US F-35s and other fighter aircraft were zooming around with Israeli fighter aircraft in military exercises.

100% agree. And yet, most Jews vote Democrat. Does anyone know why?

The current administration and especially the far left wing of his party is strongly anti-semite/anti-Israel, and not making any secret about it. Given the far left nuts are dragging the Democrat party in this direction, it doesn't bode well for the future IMO. I want Israel to have the most advanced American hardware it can get, and worry that liberals will erode the current advantages the IAF enjoys..

Because most Jews aren't Zionists fanatics?

[not_kent]

That is beautiful, its a shame the US couldn't be there because of "scheduling". (No proof just saying) I think the Biden administration didn't allow the USAF to be there. After all Biden's political party has the most blatant anti-semites and anti-Israel politicians in the Democrat party and Biden publicly said he wants to return the US to that (sh**ty) Iran nuclear deal. It would look bad for Biden to Iran if US F-35s and other fighter aircraft were zooming around with Israeli fighter aircraft in military exercises.

100% agree. And yet, most Jews vote Democrat. Does anyone know why?

The current administration and especially the far left wing of his party is strongly anti-semite/anti-Israel, and not making any secret about it. Given the far left nuts are dragging the Democrat party in this direction, it doesn't bode well for the future IMO. I want Israel to have the most advanced American hardware it can get, and worry that liberals will erode the current advantages the IAF enjoys..

Because most Jews aren't Zionists fanatics?

I guess it is because the Jews are smart enough to know what is best for themselves and are not brainwashed members of a cult mindlessly repeating lies.

Under trump Iran enrichened nuclear materials to 20%, just below what is needed to make a nuke.
Under the " (sh**ty) Iran nuclear deal" it was never more than 4%.

Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) - Blamed wildfires in CA on "Jewish space lasers"
Trump called Neo N*zis and others chanting "Jews will not replace us" Very Fine People.
A national Jewish group has condemned statements made by U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, Friday.

Certification that Iran is complying with the deal must be sent to Congress every 90 days. The first under the Trump administration noted that Tehran was in compliance. foxnews.com/politics/iran-nuclear-deal-trump-administration-says-tehran-complying-with-agreement

"The Trump administration notified Congress Tuesday that Iran is complying with the landmark nuclear deal negotiated by former President Obama, and has extended sanctions relief given to Tehran in exchange for curbs on its atomic program. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, in a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis, said that the administration has undertaken a full review of the agreement to evaluate whether continued sanctions relief is in the best interest of the U.S."

[hornetfinn]

Some very good videos about this particular exercise:

Short pilot interviews:



German Eurofighter Typhoons arriving to Israel:



Fighters taking off to exercise:


I just love the contrast between totally clean F-35s and not-so-clean 4th gens (except F-15Is) taking off...

Israeli F-35 pilot interview from "Blue Flag" exercise:

[Corsair1963]

Whatever happen to Israel buying more F-15's?

[magitsu]

Whatever happen to Israel buying more F-15's?

They got some old for nearly free in 2016. Maybe they are waiting for a new batch if the USAF/ANG transitions away from more of them. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/3 ... se-of-this

But basically it seems:
Own money: F-35 only
US aid: ok, maybe we could accept new F-15 if there's nothing better

[doge]

Blue Flag 21 Articles.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/air-f ... eek-683046

Air Force Drill 'Blue Flag' 2021 enters second week
Thousands of foreign troops and dozens of foreign jets are taking part in Israel's most advanced aerial drill, which is entering it second week.
By ANNA AHRONHEIM Published: OCTOBER 25, 2021
The fifth bi-annual Blue Flag exercise entered its second week, with thousands of troops and dozens of aircraft from around the world taking part in the most advanced aerial drill ever held in the Jewish state.
An estimated 1,500 technical and administrative personnel from different air forces are taking part in the drill at the Ovda Air Force base in the Negev north of Eilat.
Along with the dozens of Israeli aircraft taking part, some 40 aircraft from Germany (six Eurofighters), Italy (five F-35 jets and five G550 planes), Britain (six Eurofighters), France (four Raphael jets), India (five Mirage jets), Greece (four F-16 jets), and the US (six F-16 CJ jets) are taking part.
The two-week drill marks the first time that a British fighter squadron has been deployed to Israel since the establishment of the state, as well as the first time that India has sent a Mirage fighter squadron to Israel and that France has deployed a Rafael squadron to the Jewish State.
In addition, personnel from South Korea, Finland, Romania, Netherlands, Japan, Australia, Croatia and other countries have arrived to learn from the exercise without any active participation.
Israeli platforms taking part in the drill include F-35 jets, F-15s, F-16s, G5500 aerial monitoring aircraft, a Patriot battery and UAVs, as well as Hofit and Tzufit aircraft. The IAF squadrons taking part include the 106th Spearhead squadron which is leading the exercise, the 119th Bat squadron, the 115th Flying Dragon, 140th Golden Eagle, 116th Lions of the South and the 122th Nachson squadron.
Uvda airbase hosts squadrons training in the Negev Desert and has an advanced training center, which trains air crews in numerous exercises. It is also the base of the 115th “Red” Squadron which plays the role of enemy aircraft in exercises; ground teams that operate enemy ground targets such as missile launchers and radars; and infantry soldiers who act as the enemy during these training scenarios.
During the drill, forces are practicing aerial battle, as well as surface-to-air battle scenarios, advanced surface-to-air missile combat outlines in enemy territory, and more.
The exercise focuses on “broadening and enhancing the operational capabilities of the participating forces,” with a focus on air-to-air and air-to-ground attacks, as well as evading ground-based air defense systems “and various operational scenarios in enemy territory,” the army said.
With fighter jets, helicopters, unmanned aerial systems, a Patriot battery and more, the “Red” Force simulate the enemy that has mobile weaponry resembling real threats that pose strategic and tactical challenges during training scenarios.

This years’ drills will focus on the integration of fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft, including the F-35 Adir in complex operational scenarios, the military said.
Israeli F-35i Adir aircraft are also flying as the “Red” team, posing a challenge to the other aircraft.
“This exercise is groundbreaking in terms of technology, quality of training, and the number of participating nations,” Israel Air Force commander Amikam Norkin said.
“It illustrates the partnership and strong bond between the nations’ air forces and acts as a stepping-stone toward regional and international cooperation.”
IN ADDITION to the aerial drills, there will be a conference at the Nevatim airbase for countries flying the F-35 including Italy, Norway, Netherlands, the UK, the US and Belgium. As part of the conference, Commander of the United Arab Emirates Air Force Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Nasser Mohammed al-Alawi will land in Israel for the first time as Norkin’s guest.
Following the signing of the Abraham Accords last year and the visit by Alawi, it’s believed that other regional countries will take part in future Blue Flag exercises.
With several countries taking part in the drill, aerial diplomacy provides the IAF with legitimacy to act against threats posed to the country, be it in Gaza or in Israel’s North.
Norkin, who took part in a symbolic flyover over Jerusalem alongside his German counterpart Lt.-Gen. Ingo Gerhartz last week, said that the threats posed to Israel continue to increase and that the drill is a “stepping stone” towards cooperation with other countries in the region.
“We are living in a very complicated region, and the threats to the State of Israel from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Iran are only increasing,” he said. “Holding an international exercise in this current reality, while continuing our public and covert operational activities on all fronts, is of utmost strategic importance and has an extensive impact over the Israeli Air Force, the IDF and the State of Israel.”
While the drill does not simulate any particular threat, the IAF is “constantly training to be ready for a wide range of emergency scenarios” and is flying “in a joint coalition, wing-to-wing with partnering air forces,” Norkin said.
“The Middle East is a complex arena that changes at any given moment,” he said. “The threat to the State of Israel comes from different arenas: the Gaza Strip, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and more.
“The challenges we face are increasing and we are making sure to stay one step ahead of the enemy.”

A rare decent article on nationalinterest.
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/ ... ces-195818

Israel F-35 Pilot Describes Elite Joint Training with U.S., Western Air Forces
The Israeli-hosted drill was the largest in Israel in recent memory and represents the way Israel is increasingly a key partner for the United States, European nations, and countries in the Eastern Mediterranean and as far away as India.
November 4, 2021 　by Seth J. Frantzman
Israel recently hosted the Blue Flag drill. Air forces from eight countries came together in Israel to participate in the joint training. This included the use of Israel’s F-35 fighter jets and warplanes such as F-16 Fighting Falcons, Indian Air Force Mirage jets and French Rafale jets. This represents how Israel, a leader in using the F-35 fighter jets, has become a key place for other militaries to conduct joint drills and learn from Israeli pilots.
An Israeli pilot, who due to security reasons can only be known as “Captain O,” described the important drill. “We are flying with the Blue Flag, the multi-national exercise with other countries,” he said, noting that fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft were flying together. “The F-35s are being flown by Israeli and the Italians.” Israel has practiced with the Italians in the past with F-35 jets in at least two drills, one earlier this year and Blue Flag in 2019. In addition, Israel has used F-35 jets alongside the Americans in Enduring Lightning, a series of drills in 2020.
Captain O said one of the challenges was working with other people from other countries who speak different languages. The commonality is that all the pilots speak English and use it to communicate with one another. Through briefings and planning the pilots and other participants were able to work well together. They practiced different scenarios and flew air suppression and other missions. In some cases, the operations consisted of F-16 Fighting Falcon modeling a strike force and Mirage jets as a defensive counter-air element. “Every day has a different focus point. We train on a variety of aspects,” the Israeli pilot said.
Israel has increased the tempo of joint trainings over the past several years.
“We always had a strong partnership from different air forces from NATO and others,” Captain O said. “This is a huge benefit. We learn a lot from them. It’s not a change for mentality. We always reached out to new partners across the globe.” Blue Flag happens every two years.

Israel is now under U.S. Central Command’s area of operations. In the first days of November, a U.S. Marine Expeditionary force arrived from the 5th Fleet for another joint training near Eilat. The United Aran Emirates’ air force took part in a ceremony for the Blue Flag drill. This comes in the wake of the peace agreement between Israel and the UAE last year.
Captain O, an F-35 pilot, was previously an F-15E pilot. He has been in the fifth-generation aircraft now for a year and is amazed by the transition. “It’s a big privilege to be one of the] first pilots to fly the plane,” he said. The F-35 Eagle fighter jet is a single-seat aircraft unlike the traditional dual-seater F-15 Eagles that Israel has use. That means there is no Weapon Systems Officer or “Wizo,” which means the pilot does more on the aircraft. You can’t split the job into two people, the pilot said. “But the aircraft helps you with it [using] smart avionics, unique systems, so you can perform well as one crew member, it’s fun to be in a single-seat [aircraft], you feel it’s your plane against the world,” the pilot said. F-35 fighter jets are known for being data sponges. Part of the new way of warfare that is netcentric and digital for a battlefield involving more information, more drones and autonomous systems.

Captain O said the F-35 fighter jets perform well and bring new abilities to the battlefield. He noted that during training Israel used its old F-16 Fighting Falcons and F-15 Eagles as a “red force” adversary for training. “The Israeli F-35 also plays red force in some scenarios and that helps the drill be more beneficial and difficult. In each drill there are red players and they are also the force responsible for debriefing, and focus of the day, making all of us as the blue force perform well each and every day,” Captain O said. Both of Israel’s F-35 squadrons participated in the training. These are the 140th and 116th squadrons. The pilot is from the 116th. “I have several years ahead in the squadron and will fly operationally in the 116th. The aircraft is being learned and we are studying it more and more and I have few years to [continue to] fly,” Captain O said.
The new way of hi-tech warfare means receiving a lot more data and information in an airplane, the pilot said. This means more situational awareness. “The pilot has a major role and that won’t change for years to come, it is more data-centric and netcentric and enables us to make better and quicker decisions, pilot has a major role,” Captain O said. That means pilots won’t be replaced by hi-tech drone unmanned aircraft vehicles anytime soon.

[doge]

In Blue Flag 21, Greek's four F-16s shot down 17 of 19 enemies as a result of support from Israeli F-35Is. (What!? ) wow.
https://hellasjournal.com/2021/10/ellin ... ea-photos/ (Language is Greek. Used Deepl Translation.)

Greek supremacy in the Israeli "Blue Flag": a shooting performance by the 336M and an operational flight of the A/GCF (photos)
30/10/2021 REPORTAGE, HELLAS JOURNAL
The purely offensive spirit that governs the Air Force was seen in practice by the allied forces that were at Blue Flag, accepting Greek superiority and in the so-called debriefing.
In one formation alone, reportedly led by the "hawks" of 336 Squadron, the number of enemy shoot-downs by the four Greek F-16 Block 52 Advanced reached 17 out of a total of 19 enemy aircraft.
Leading in the DCA role 336 Squadron "Olympus", i.e. defensive formation protecting high-value targets, were flanked by friendly F-35 platforms, four Eurofighters and three Rafale F3Rs.
･Against them as a "replicate" they had almost all types of aircraft that took part in the Blue Flag exercise, but mainly the advanced Israeli F-35, F-15 & F-16. According to the same sources, the enemy comao depicted an offensive formation of aircraft of "different" technology. Each type of aircraft with similar capabilities as "those" non-NATO types.

The F-16 Advanced "cleared" the landscape while at the network-centric level they were several times exemplarily led by the F-35 which demonstrates the seamless communication of the advanced F-16s with the 5th generation platform. It was this and many subsequent actions taken in the Negev desert and at Ovda Air Base in Israel that made the host Israelis evaluate 336 Squadron "Olympus" as the best crews in operational proficiency and effectiveness.
The crews of 336 Squadron who took part in the Israeli "Blue Flag" exercise , alongside Rafale & F-35 , with the F-16 Advanced, i.e. the most modern version of this fighter in Europe, until the advent of the Viper stood as the worthy successors to the legacy left behind by 340, 337 and 335 Squadron "Tiger".

In advanced combat scenarios flew the A/GC
This year's "Blue Flag" was Israel's largest and most advanced aerial exercise, which was conducted with the participation of the Air Forces of Greece, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, India and Italy. 15 days with 24-hour take-offs from all participating countries with more than 70 aircraft.
･The objective of the exercise is to enhance international cooperation through integrated co-training of 4th and 5th generation aircraft in complex operational scenarios, day and night, with emphasis on enhancing the combat capability of the participating air forces.

Planning of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, countering threats from anti-aircraft systems and especially from surface-to-air missiles, as well as simulated air operations in hostile territory, with the last three days of the exercise focusing on simulating an advanced warfare scenario, were some of the daily demanding scenarios in which the Greek air culture stood out, which in fact, as pointed out by the Israelis, is particularly suited to their own standards.
And not even the first "hawk" of the Greek Air Force, Vice Admiral Georgios Blioumis, who not only attended the DV-Day, but took part in an operational scenario, in which both the F-35 and the Rafale participated, which the Vice Admiral knew first-hand as an aviator and understood their aviation value as a platform for air superiority, did not escape the operational evaluation.

This article is by a Greece Hellenic Army veteran, so it may be a more accurate Translation and interpretation.
https://www.19fortyfive.com/2021/11/qua ... ghter-jet/

Quarterback In The Sky: The F-35 Is Far More Than Just A Fighter Jet
ByStavros Atlamazoglou PublishedNovember 1, 2021
1945’s New Defense and National Security Columnist, Stavros Atlamazoglou is a defense journalist specializing in special operations, a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), and a Johns Hopkins University graduate.

Blue Flag 21, the largest fighter jet exercise in Israel, just concluded with the participation of the most advanced fighter jets on the planet.
With over 70 participating aircraft of many types, the exercise offered an opportunity to see how the F-35 platform would work together with older fighters in a war with China or Russia.

Blue Flag 21
In total, eight nations with a versatile fleet of aircraft participated in the most important air combat exercise on the Israeli calendar.
The U.S. Air Force joined with F-16C Fighting Falcons, the Israeli hosts with their F-35A Lightning IIs, F-15I Eagles, F-16I Sufans and F-16Cs, the French Air Force with their Dassault Rafale F3Rs, the Hellenic Air Force with their F-16C, the Indian Air Force with their Mirage 2000s, the Italian Air Force with their F-35As, the German Air Force with their Typhoon FGR4s, and finally the Royal Air Force—the first deployment of a British fighter squadron in Israel since the Levantine country’s independence—also with their Typhoon FGR4s.
“Everybody out here wants to win, but we all have different ways of doing that. That’s the interesting part … getting together with the different nations and figuring out how we are going to win together, focusing on each other’s strengths and minimizing each other’s weaknesses,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Bjorn Nielsen, the 480th EFS integration specialist, said in a press release.
The aircraft executed Suppression and Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD/DEAD), aerial combat, ground strikes, and defensive missions.
The fifth iteration of the biennial exercise took place in Uvda Air Base.

Harnessing the Power of the F-35
One of the key aspects of Blue Flag 21 was to test and push to the limits the interoperability of 4th and 5th generation aircraft.
Although the U.S. Air Force seems committed to the F-35 platform, it still has hundreds of older 4th generation fighter jets in its fleet. Although not as competitive or survivable in a near-peer combat scenario, these F-16s and F-15s are still important and can be quite effective if employed properly.
Dubbed the “quarterback of the skies,” the F-35 is an extremely capable aircraft that has the ability to increase the effectiveness of other, older aircraft on the battlefield. Its stealth characteristics combined with its ability to quickly collect, analyze, and disseminate information on the tactical outlook to any friendly aircraft in the vicinity makes America’s second stealth fighter a force multiplier.
For example, during a Blue Flag 21 scenario, a flight of four Greek F-16Cs was protecting some “high-value targets” when they got jumped by about 20 “enemy” aircraft. F-35As accompanying the F-16Cs used their sensors and tech to quickly understand the battlefield and guide the older generation F-16Cs to the incoming “hostile” jets. As a result, the Greek pilots “shot down” in mock combat 17 out of the 19 “enemy” aircraft.
“To have the F-16s work with the fifth-generation platforms, [it] gives us a chance to work on sensor integration, making sure the airplanes can talk to each other, pass information, and then really work on the tactics for a higher-end fight if we have to go against a competitive adversary,” U.S. Air Force Colonel Kristoffer Smith, the commanding officer of the 52nd Operations Group commander, said.
Although it is costly and seen its share of growing pains for sure, the F-35 is still the world’s most advanced fighter jet.

If the F-35 had not been there, what would have become of the F-16?