Friday 21 August, the Green Flag exercise successfully concluded at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, with the participation of 10 AMX aircraft and the establishment of an Autonomous Flight Unit (RAV).
The ‘Green Flag’ represents the state-of-the-art in training for close support of ground troops. During the two-week exercise, aircrews and ground troops worked closely together, developing and testing appropriate tactics in the field that are used in current operational theatres. The aim of the exercise was to make participants understand the potential of using air power in a training environment that faithfully reproduces today's operational scenarios, in order to employ air assets efficiently, effectively, and above all without collateral damage to civilians or friendly troops.
The scenario set up for the exercise had the typical characteristics of operations taking place outside national borders in crisis areas. The purpose of the exercise was therefore to train personnel to conduct complex air operations such as ‘Close Air Support (CAS)’, ‘Convoy Escort’, ‘Urban CAS’, cooperation actions with MQ-1 and MQ-9 Reaper Predators, which for the first time allowed the release of inert laser-guided bombs (GBU-12 Lizard) guided onto the target by a “laser designator”, and ‘Join Air Attack Team (JAAT)’ operations, the latter being a combined and coordinated action on the same objective which saw the participation of AMX aircraft, American artillery, where personnel from the 17th and 16th Wings and the 185th Air Operations Regiment (R.A.O) were integrated into the JTAC (Joint Terminal Attack Controller), and Ah-64 APACHE helicopters.
All of the actions were coordinated by the 549th Combat Training Squadron Nellis and the 12th Combat Training Squadron at Fort Irwin. The missions flown were 171, totalling 300 flying hours. 30 inert bombs were dropped on the Leach Lake range, and over 300 simulated drops were carried out. Ground attack simulations were also conducted using the Vulcan cannon, with which the AMX is equipped. Evasive action in the event of an attack by S.A.M. (Surface to Air Missile) systems was also practised. For each of these missions, a careful analysis of any collateral damage was undertaken. Where the tactical situation deemed it necessary, the use of weaponry was to be forgone if there was the slightest risk of hitting targets involving the civilian population or any Blue on Blue (friendly fire) incidents.
Personnel from the Flight Test Centre were also present at the Green Flag exercise. In addition to carrying out the missions planned for the exercise, they also certified the P4 and P5 ACMI (Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation) Pods. These pods are used to monitor flight parameters and the unfolding tactical situation in the operational theatre in real time from the ground. The data from the missions flown are then downloaded from the pods for analysis during debriefing, thus representing a very important means of increasing “lessons learned”.
The exercise concluded with the traditional Italian Party, attended by the Honorary Consul of Italy, Dr. Stefano Ripamonti, and members of the staff of Green Flag. Words of appreciation were expressed by the Commander of the 549th Combat Training Squadron, Lt. Col. John Walker, to all the personnel who participated in Green Flag, also highlighting the enthusiasm and preparation of the young Italian pilots.
The ‘Red Flag’ exercise, on the other hand, is almost exclusively aerial, during which pilots consolidate their proficiency in the use of assigned weapon systems and the validity of their respective tactics. This involves organising and coordinating “packages” comprising a large number of aircraft, whilst simultaneously reinforcing the ability to operate jointly with other units in ground attack (real and simulated) and air defence operations. In particular, during ‘Red Flag 09-05’, which will involve AM-X aircraft, over 60 American and allied air assets will participate, including American F-16, F-15, F-18, EA6 Prowler, E-3 Sentry (AWACS) and KC-135 aircraft, as well as F-16s from the United Arab Emirates. The ‘enemy’ component will be performed by the 64th CTS and 65th CTS squadrons (the so-called ‘aggressors’) based at Nellis, who will simulate the most advanced and therefore most challenging enemy tactics to counteract.
Further information
Nellis Website;
NELLIS AFB Website;
