FRISIAN FLAG 2010

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Haley Ageton
  • 48th Operations Group
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  One of the largest exercises in Europe, FRISIAN FLAG 2010, started April 12 when approximately 40 fighter jets from seven countries launched into the air at Leeuwarden Air Base, the Netherlands.

FRISIAN FLAG 2010, a two-week exercise involving pilots, maintenance personnel, and others personnel, was developed in the early 1990s and has since grown into an annual large-scale, multi-national event. This year's exercise was comprised of Dutch F-16s, USAFE's F-15Cs and KC-135s, Sweden's JAS-39s, Finland's F-18s, Norway's F-16s and a DA-20, Germany's F-4s, Poland's F-16s, and NATO AWACS.

The first exercise of its kind in Europe - comparable to RED FLAG at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. - was staged at Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, in 1992, but due to growing international participation, the exercise evolved into a much larger force exercise dubbed "FRISIAN FLAG" in 1999.

"What is great about FRISIAN FLAG is that it is organized by aircrew for aircrew," said Capt. Joost Meijer, a pilot with the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

This gave a whole new meaning to the exercise as pilots planned missions and coordinated the logistics behind such a large event. The importance of joint-force cooperation is reinforced by the tactical learning shared between nations at each debrief.

"This exercise is different from others we attend," said Capt. Ben Davis, a pilot assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron. "Different European countries attend with their foreign aircraft giving us [the U.S. Air Force pilots] the opportunity to train with them.

"This is great training for us because, unlike RED FLAG, we get to fly an even mix of offensive and defensive missions," said Captain Davis. "Training to both offensive counter-air and defensive counter-air missions is important in order to thoroughly prepare the squadron for future combat scenarios."

Lt. Col. Michael King, 493rd FS commander, agreed.

"FRISIAN FLAG is a great opportunity to fly as mostly Blue Air (friendly forces)," the colonel said. "Many of the missions we fly back at Lakenheath involve the pilots flying as Red Air (enemy forces), so this exercise is a welcome change of pace.

"This is also a great training environment for new wingman," Colonel King continued. "Flying and debriefing with several countries can be overwhelming, but that is why the 493rd Fighter Squadron becomes acquainted with the demands now, so we are ready to fight later."

The pilots, however, aren't the only ones getting training. The 493rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit brought more than 70 maintenance personnel to help keep the aircraft in the best flying shape possible.

The maintainers' real-world ability was tested when flying was halted because of volcanic ash that threatened aircraft engines and systems. Their quick response ensured all aircraft were protected from the potentially damaging ash which led to all aircraft being deemed fully mission capable after they were inspected.

Although the volcanic activity cut the training of FRISIAN FLAG 2010 short, all participants say the two-week training provided them with important knowledge, and they are better prepared to fight in the coalition environment.