RAAF C-130Js in Alaska for Red Flag

A RAAF C-130J on approach to JB Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska. (Defence)

Two RAAF C-130Js from Richmond’s 37SQN and 68 personnel have deployed to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska to participate in Exercise Red Flag Alaska 14-2.

The two week exercise runs from June 12 to 27, and also includes units from the US and Japan.

“We’ll be flying Hercules on tactical airlift missions as part of a wider group of aircraft that includes strike jets, fighters and surveillance aircraft,” Commanding Officer of 37SQN, WGCDR Darren Goldie said in a statement. “The training environment at Red Flag Alaska is one of the world’s most complicated recreations of a modern battlespace, with simulated missiles, enemy radar systems, and ‘aggressor’ fighter jets.

“The aircrew have been developing techniques to use these systems, but Exercise Red Flag Alaska will provide a suitably complex training environment before we ever have to employ it in the real world,” he added. “Coming to Alaska to work alongside foreign militaries is also critical to our success on real-world operations.”