RED FLAG - Air Combat for the 21st Century

With kill ratios reaching an unacceptable low during the Vietnam War, Air Force Generals began looking for a viable solution. The trick was to train pilots in the most realistic wartime scenarios possible without increasing the level of risk to new pilots.

Concentrating on 'Blue Four', the name given to the least experienced pilot typically flying in the fourth position of an echelon formation, Red Flag was designed to introduce new pilots to their first ten realistic combat missions. According to the 'Red Baron Study', pilots who survived their first ten missions in combat were most likely to survive the remainder of the tour. On November 29th, 1975, Red Flag was born. The Red Flag exercises have become so sucessful that nations from all over the world now join US Forces in the field to take part in training.

Introducing 'Red Flag, Air Combat for the 21st Century'. Join forces from both the Red and Blue Teams as they fly combat missions over the Nellis Range Complex outside Las Vegas, Nevada and fly along with aircrews during the first ever Joint Red Flag. Learn the facts behind the history of this ground-breaking exercise and see what is in store for the future as stealth technology and space related tactics are introduced to the warfighter.

Reviews:
Pacific Flyer, February 2007
“Tyson Rininger has produced a glossy, 125-page book filled with history, insights and spectacular photos outlining the history and mission of Nellis AFB outside Las Vegas … a lavishly illustrated book offering a complete history and an unprecedented insider’s view of the fully integrated, war-conditions exercise.”

Wings & Airpower, April 2007
“The promo material sent with this book says quite simply ‘Strap in tight, light it up, and take to the skies. You’re training at Red Flag!’ It’s correct … This lavishly illustrated work takes you behind the scenes of the largest, most complex high-tech military exercise conducted anywhere in the world … ‘Red Flag’ are two words that can make or break an Air Force pilot. Luckily for you, reading this book will be the closest you’ll ever come to flying this arduous exercise, but without the risk of losing your airplane or career!”

Text & Photography by Tyson V. Rininger
Publisher: Motorbooks International / Zenith Press
Softbound 10x8
On store shelves now!

Available through:
Amazon.com
Motorbooks Intl.