The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18 Hornets from No 3 Squadron and Japanese Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) F-15 Eagles from No 4 Air Wing have completed bilateral flying operations for the first time during Exercise Red Flag.

No 3 Squadron commanding officer Wing Commander Terry van Haren said the four-day exchange programme included several activities to enhance shared cooperation between the Australian and Japanese fighter squadrons.

“The large force, multithreat environment of Red Flag enabled our fighter pilots to conduct complex missions with Japan, the US and Singapore as part of the exercise coalition force,” he added.

Exercise Red Flag Alaska 11–2, conducted from US Eielson Air Force Base, is a two-week long exercise held recently, designed to give pilots aerial combat training.