JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Red Flag-Alaska is a Pacific Air Forces-directed field training exercise for United States and international forces flown under simulated air combat conditions taking place at Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex over Alaska. The exercises are focused on improving the combat readiness of U.S. and international forces and providing training for units preparing for air expeditionary force taskings.
During these training exercises, Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson provides necessary support to its partners to help them complete their mission.
For this highly vital training to be accomplished successfully, JBER’s full support is required. A representation of this support can be seen in the current Red Flag 19-1, with the Alpha Battery 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
“Our unit is tasked to provide long-range artillery support for RF-A exercising interoperability with U.S. Air Force units to showcase our capabilities and develop a relationship with the services,” said U.S. Army Capt. John Heath, Alpha Battery 3-27th FAR commander, Ft. Bragg, N.C. “Part of the training is putting a HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) system on a cargo aircraft and fly to any destination to provide long-range support.”
Maintenance support is a primary function JBER offers during RF-A to their partners.
“JBER has provided outstanding maintenance support to help us continue to sustain while we’re here,” Heath said.
Besides maintenance, JBER also provides storage and office space for a better work environment.
“We have received phenomenal support as an entity supporting Red Flag,” Heath said. “We’ve even been provided office space to plan out of as well as a place to store our vehicles. We are very grateful for the opportunity to have cross training with U.S. Air Force units in addition to the other U.S. Army units located here. Without a doubt we have received top-notch support from JBER.”
Successes obtained through each RF-A would not be possible if it weren’t for the hard work of JBER personnel.
“There are multiple agencies throughout JBER who assist with units participating in Red Flag exercises,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. James Sanders, 354th Operations Group Detachment 1, RF-A maintenance superintendent. “Participating units utilize the Red Flag Exercise support staff as a focal point for whatever needs that may arise, from arrival to sustainment as well as redeployment. Exercise Support does a lot for participants however, as much as we try, we could not do the exercise without the cooperation and assistance of JBER units.”
The men and woman at JBER are dedicated to providing its partners with great training experiences and assist them on what they need to help them fulfill their purpose during the exercise.
“All in all the 354th OG, Det. 1 in conjunction with a myriad of JBER base agencies, give units an awesome exercise that they want to come back to time and time again,” Sanders said.