Marines debut at Red flag this week.

Long article that's worth the read (Spaz, you'll find it interesting):

https://news.usni.org/2017/01/05/interv ... ns-in-2017

Some notable news: VMFA-121 will be participating in Exercises Northern Edge (in Alaska) and Forager Fury (in Guam) this calendar year. Then, in 2018, they will also be participating in Exercises Ssang Yong and Max Thunder in South Korea, Pitch Black and Southern Frontier in Australia, as well as another Forager Fury, and also Valiant Shield in Guam.

There's lots more that's interesting; USMC infantry have been able to update raid plans from tablets in the back of MV-22s and send them to a (in this specific example, simulated) F-35 and other (real) Ospreys via data link.

They also talk more about up-gunned surface action groups / 'getting back to their roots', as well as mention how technologies like 3D printing are now allowing them to perform briefs using miniature, physical 3D replica models of what's on the ground.

UhOH - just posted long excerpts from the very long original article oberhere at 20:36:

viewtopic.php?f=61&t=28931&p=359658#p359658

UhOH - just posted long excerpts from the very long original article oberhere at 20:36:

viewtopic.php?f=61&t=28931&p=359658#p359658

.....great minds think alike??

Some notable news: VMFA-121 will be participating in Exercises Northern Edge (in Alaska) and Forager Fury (in Guam) this calendar year. Then, in 2018, they will also be participating in Exercises Ssang Yong and Max Thunder in South Korea, Pitch Black and Southern Frontier in Australia, as well as another Forager Fury, and also Valiant Shield in Guam.

How many non-CONUS exercises did the F-22 participate in during its first few years after IOC?

That's just VMFA-121 as well, who knows what VMFA-211 will get up to in the Middle East, or (assuming the rumours are true), what the Rude Rams will do in Europe.

How many non-CONUS exercises did the F-22 participate in during its first few years after IOC?

The Raptors first trip OCONUS for an exercise was Northern Edge in Alaska in 06' with the 27th. They followed that up with their Kadena trip in 07' at the same time 94th participated in the Raptors first official Red Flag after OIC.

Executive Summary of VMFA-121 Support of Red Flag 16-3 obtained via FOIA.

Cut & paste not working so well. Best download & read.

Was notified of the document via a tweet.

Found here: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents ... f-Red.html

Great work there 'StevieWonder'! Here is the 3 page PDF OCRed so the text can be copy/paste BUT WITH ERRORS that must be double checked with the original text (which is sadly in graphic format - why is this so one may akssk - dunno).

“...Overall, the F-35 was far more survivable then the participating legacy aircraft. Debrief analysis of each F-35 loss was either the result of a pilot's individual employment error or the result of a scenario/airspace limitation. Due to the large number of assets involved, pilots were, limited to a 1000 foot altitude block. Block adherence and no-fly areas within the range complex prohibited pilots from positioning themselves in the most lethal or survivable position. Even with those restrictions, it was extremely difficult for the opposing red force to acquire and successfully engage F-35s. As the squadron commander, I am extremely proud at the humble professionalism we brought to this exercise. Our maintenance department worked hard and delivered combat capable aircraft !or every vul. Our pilots seamlessly integrated with other aircrew and cyber/space operators. We capitalized on our opportunities to lead the events as Mission Commanders, Package Commanders, and Tactical Mentors. Most notably, our pilots were the Mission Commanders for the event with the most capable enemy threat laydown as well as the VIP event with the Secretary of the Air Force and USAF Chief of Staff present. This was the first Red Flag exercise with F-35 participation and the USMC lead [led?] from the front....”

Operations: Based upon historic readiness rates of 50-60%, and with 6 aircraft in Nellis, the majority of sorties were planned as a two ship. Four ship surge events on Tuesday and Wednesday nights were chosen based on OCA and SA mission sets. Planned vs executed sorties and hours are as follows:

Sorties, Planned / Executed: 70 / 67
Hours, Planned / Executed: 91 / 94.1
Readiness Execution Rate: 98.5%

1 sortie cancelled for maintenance (executed. tasking as a three ship)
2 sorties cancelled for weather (event cancelled for Thunderstorms / Icing in the NTTR)..."
&
"...Maintenance summary: Aircraft readiness exceeded the historical averages. Six aircraft were deployed to Nellis AFB. The squadron's seventh aircraft remained in Yuma with a persistent IPP problem that was discovered after completion of the Iwakuni modifications. The Average readiness rates for the three week of the exercise are listed below. Notably, these numbers only reflect the six aircraft deployed to Nellis AFB.

Ready Basic Aircraft (RBA) : 77%
Full Mission Capable (FMC) : 23%
Partial Mission Capable (PMC) : 53% ..."