DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- The Carrier Air Wing NINE Unit from Naval Air Station North Island, California, flew their MH-60S Seahawks as part of Red Flag-Rescue 19-2 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Aug. 17, 2019.
For nearly three weeks, Airmen teamed up with Sailors, Marines and Soldiers to execute the Department of Defense’s premier combat search and rescue exercise.
“Interoperability can be difficult while doing interservice operations,” said U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Jonny Kane, Officer in Charge of HSC-14 for Red Flag-Rescue 19-2. “Working with fixed wing aircraft, helicopters and ground operators there are always challenges that rely on communications in the aircraft. It [Red Flag-Rescue] certainly presented a realistic challenge of scenarios we would have.”
The MH-60S Seahawk pilots were able to experience live fire, as well as executing refueling drills and simulated combat search and rescue drops.
“Coming back from a nearly year-long deployment, getting to train over land in a very realistic opposing force presentation with real players, live fire and non-live fire is training that is second to none,” Kane said.
Red Flag-Rescue gives U.S. aircrews the opportunity to complete their first 10 combat sorties, the realistic training helps prepare to face and defeat any potential adversaries.
This joint service exercise contributes to the readiness of the entire DoD force. The training accomplished ensures that the Air Force and its sister branches continue to develop into a faster, smarter and more lethal force.