Summary
- Nellis AFB hosts Red Flag exercises for US and allied forces
- Elmendorf-Richardson sees joint exercise with US, UK, Australia, and more
- Andersen AFB participates in tri-lateral exercises with Australia and Japan
The
United States Air Force
continuously trains to be as ready as possible for any future conflict, but it is not enough to just train by itself. It also trains with the
US Marines
and the
US Navy
(both of which operate their own air forces) and with the United States’ international allies. Here are five air bases used for joint military exercises (some of these are among
the largest US Air Force bases
).
Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
Four US service branches and many allies train at Nellis AFB
|
Built: |
1941 |
|---|---|
|
Garrison: |
99th Air Base Wing (host) |
|
Notable exercises: |
Red Flag |
Nellis Air Force Base is best known for Exercise Red Flag as well as others like Green Flag West. The Air Force states, “There are three iterations of Red Flag annually, one U.S. only, one open to FVEY (Five Eyes) participants and one that welcomes an expanded roster of international allies and partners. The training occurs at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada on the Nevada Test and Training Range...”
Photo: USAF
Exercise Red Flag is held several times a year and is focused on providing realistic air-combat training for the US military and allied nations. Three to six Red Flag exercises are held at Nellis Air Force Base every year – the first of which was held in 1975. The US Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Army along with many NATO and other allied nations’ air forces take part.
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
Joint Air Force & Army base with RAF and RAAF exercises
|
Built: |
1940 |
|---|---|
|
Garrison: |
673rd Air Base Wing (host) |
|
Noted for: |
Headquarters of Alaskan Command and Alaskan NORAD Region |
As the name suggests, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is a joint base comprising the Air Force’s Elmendorf Air Force Base and the Army’s Fort Richardson (these were merged in 2010). The facility is located near the main Alaskan city of Anchorage and is host to Exercise Northern Edge. The exercise ran from May 4 to May 19 and was sponsored by the US Indo-Pacific Command.
In 2023, Northern Edge 23-1 was a joint exercise that included the Air Force and Marines as well as international allies the Royal Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Air Force noted, “Traditionally a U.S. only event, NE 23-1 incorporated Allies for the first time to conduct high-end training and experimentation to reassure Allies and Partners that the U.S. is committed to maintaining regional stability.”
Andersen Air Force Base, Guam
Anderson was host to tri-lateral exercises in 2024
|
Built: |
1944 |
|---|---|
|
Garrison: |
36th Wing (host) |
|
Noted for: |
Most important US air base west of Hawaii |
Guam is considered one of the most strategic bases for the Air Force as a new era of Great Power Competition heats up with China. The Anderson Air Force Base has seen the Royal Australian and Japanese air forces come and participate in tri-lateral exercises.
Photo: Andersen Air Force Base
In 2024, Anderson hosted the US Pacific Air Forces-sponsored exercise, Cope North 2024. The exercise focused on airborne integration for large-force employment and agile combat employment (ACE). The
United States no longer feels safe operating from forward airbases
and so is working to be more flexible and operating from dispersed airbases.
Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska
Four US service branches and many allies train at Eieslon AFB
|
Built: |
1943 |
|---|---|
|
Garrison: |
354th Fighter Wing |
|
Famous for: |
Northern Red Flag exercises |
Eielson Air Force Base is home to the northern iteration of the famous Exercise Red Flag. The base is located about 26 miles southeast of Fairbanks, and the latest exercise was held from April 18 to May 3. The Air Force stated it included 21 units with over 1,700 personnel from all US service branches as well as participants from Italy and the Netherlands.
Photo: USAF
Red Flag-Alaska exercises last ten days and is held up to four times yearly with operations including the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson air base. They are focused on suppressing enemy air defenses and conducting offensive and defensive counterair operations.
Ramstein Air Base, Germany
Ramstein hosts many inter-NATO exercises
|
Built: |
1949 |
|---|---|
|
Garrison: |
86th Airlift Wing (host) |
|
Notable for: |
Hub of US operations in Europe |
Ramstein Air Base is one of the most important US air bases outside of the United States and is a critical hub for NATO operations in Europe. The base is part of a larger series of US bases in Germany that include tens of thousands of personnel. The base is often at the center of NATO exercises that draw participants from across NATO.
Photo: USAF
The most recent NATO exercise held at Ramstein took place in June 2024. According to the Air Force, “Thirty-seven fighter jets from nine NATO countries participated in Ramstein 1v1, U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s first-ever basic fighter maneuvers exercise at Ramstein Air Base, June 6. Participants included military aviators from the U.S., United Kingdom, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France and Germany.”