Saudi Air Force Aircraft Arrive In USA For Red, Green Flag Exercise 2017

Saudi Royal Air Force (RSAF) aircraft have arrived to the USA to participate in the Red and Green Flag exercise 2017 comprising selective air and technical crews and a number of air control teams.

The Saudi Air Force flew thousands of kilometres in various weather conditions with the highest levels of safety and professionalism to reach the US, Saudi Press Agency reported Wednesday.

The Red and Green Flag exercise is one of the oldest combat exercises in the world that will involve the most advanced countries in the field of air and military operations, Training leader Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Al-Yousef said.

Red Flag is the US Air Force's premier air-to-air combat training exercise. Participants often include both United States and allied nations' combat air forces. The exercise provides aircrews the experience of multiple, intensive air combat sorties in the safety of a training environment.

Green Flag is a joint and coalition exercise consisting of close air support. Green Flag is an advanced, realistic, and relevant Air to Surface training exercise, preparing joint and coalition warfighters to meet combatant commander requirements across Air, Space, and Cyberspace.

One key difference between the two is the fact that Red Flag not only includes air-land integration, but it also involves joint offensive counter-air and air interdiction scenarios.