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Joint Red Flag (JRF)

In 2002 Joint Forces Command directed that one Red Flag period every two years be designated a "Category 2 Joint Interoperability Training Exercise" that would evaluate integration in a number of joint interoperability tasks, including close air support, personnel recovery, fires, and SEAD. Although Red Flag has always included joint participation, this specialized exercise required participants to integrate capabilities rather than simply deconflict operations, as in the past.

Red Flag 03-2

In Red Flag 03-2, the first of the new joint exercises, scheduled for January 2003, the Army's 101st Airborne Division would deploy 24 AH-64/ Apache attack helicopters to conduct deep-strike missions with Air Force SEAD and fighter support. Additionally, the National Training Center (hosting the Army's III Corps) and Air Warrior exercises would take place concurrently with Red Flag. All three, having adopted a common-threat scenario, would execute and be evaluated with joint integration in mind. Preparations for Operation Iraqi Freedom, however, necessitated the cancellation of Joint Red Flag several weeks prior to execution of the exercise.

Joint Red Flag 05 (JRF05)

U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) sponsored Joint Red Flag 05 (JRF05), one of the year's premier joint training events, March 14 through April 1 to evaluate how the Department of Defense will conduct operations in the future. One key to combat effectiveness is to train forces as they are going to fight. Ensuring interoperability is one of the key goals of JRF05. By integrating and enhancing several exercises normally run by the individual services, the training audience is better prepared to address joint interoperability issues before they deploy to a joint environment.

One of USJFCOM's four component commands, the US Air Force's Air Combat Command (ACC) at Langley Air Force Base, VA, acted as the executive agent for Joint Red Flag 2005 (JRF05). ACC linked a number of traditionally separate training events and locations. It will primarily take place at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Kirtland Air Force Base, NM, Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Bliss, Texas. More than 10,000 members from the US armed forces, reserves and National Guard, special operations forces and other government agencies participated in the event. Several coalition partners played major roles as well, both as participants and observers.

JRF05 used the Joint National Training Capability (JNTC) to link live, virtual and constructed (L-V-C) forces and create a computer-simulated battlespace distributed to sites across the country. Live forces consist of real people and real systems in a live environment, while virtual forces consist of real people participating in simulators. Constructed forces are computer-generated. Adding virtual and constructive forces to the event significantly enhances the interoperability training opportunities while minimizing the costs to the taxpayers. One example of the L-V-C environment in action was in the Virtual Flag component of JRF05. Aircraft flew out of numerous airfields in the western US, while participants in the eastern US flew simulators. Computers merged the data they generate to create a common tactical picture all the participants can see.

JRF05 was designed to (1) save lives and resources by training our potential deployers in the lessons learned from contemporary military operations so they arrive in theater as prepared for the conditions as possible, (2) assess the extent to which a joint force is able to implement the principles outlined in SECDEF's Joint Training Transformation Implementation Plan, (3) develop improved joint training and experimentation capabilities; and (4) produce recommendations for current doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership, personnel, and facilities (DOTMLPF) in order to more effectively use our existing weapons systems by developing and adapting a new set of doctrine, organizational and training principles.

By testing concepts to allow military commanders to make better decisions and leveraging information superiority, JRF05 helps support DoD's six key transformation goals: protecting the homeland and forces overseas; projecting and sustaining power in distant theaters; denying enemy sanctuary; protecting US information networks from attack; using information technology to link up US forces so they can fight jointly; and maintaining unhindered access to space and protect US space capabilities from enemy attack. Joint exercise and experimentation fosters an operational, decision-making culture in the defense of our nation by exploring the threats of tomorrow today. The basic premise is that critical decisions on future military doctrine, organization or technology should be based on solid empirical results. National defense transformation begins with aggressively setting the joint context for concept development and robust joint experimentation.

JRF05 participants worked electronically, through the command and control systems used to provide a common operational picture for the decision-makers. During JRF05, the training audience used command and control devices to receive and respond to simulated events, tracking and modifying their plans as necessary. Many of the forces and equipment, including their movement and location, were converted to entities in a simulated battlespace and forces were able to react to simulated actions, such as sending simulated missiles in response to a simulated attack. Simulation technology allows training realistically and at the same time save people, resources, and money.