F-22 Raptor News

May 9, 2011 (by A1C Jack Sanders) - Airmen of the 90th Fighter Squadron, known as the Dicemen, participated in a realistic combat-training exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. known as Red Flag.
The 90th FS brought along the F-22 Raptor for the first time.

Red Flag was established in 1975 to better prepare forces for combat and to maximize combat readiness, capability and survivability of participating units.

"Red Flag is the most advanced air combat exercise in the world," said 90th FS commander Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Kunkel.

At Nellis, the 90th FS and other Red Flag affiliates flew sorties for three weeks straight and trained against F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon aggressors as well as a robust Surface-to-Air Missile defense system, Kunkel said.

"Red Flag is a great opportunity to train and employ in a high-threat environment with military forces from other services as well as our closest allies to include Australia and Great Britain," Kunkel said.

"This particular exercise brought the largest adversary force ever assembled in a Red Flag exercise."

The Arctic Warriors traveled as a group composed of 92 Alaska based Airmen.
"It was a team effort," Kunkel said.

Kunkel said that the 90th FS will continue its efforts at the home station training in preparation for its next deployment.