An IAF contingent arrived on 30 May 2024 at
the Eielson AF Base of the USAF at Alaska, USA, to participate in the next
edition of the multi-national exercise Red Flag 24. Ably supported by its Il-78
air to air refuellers and the C-17 transport aircraft, the IAF Rafale fighters
took a transatlantic flight with staging halts at Greece and Portugal. Aimed to
integrate aircrew in a multinational environment, Ex Red Flag is a two week
advanced aerial combat training exercise.
IAF Rafale fighter jets then finally
returned to India on 26 June 2024, after successful participation at Ex Red
Flag in the USA. While on the return, a refuelling halt was planned at Lajes,
Portugal, where Mr Manish Chauhan, the Indian Ambassador to Portugal,
interacted with the IAF team and exchanged mementos. Subsequently, the
contingent split into two teams and conducted a joint exercise with the
Egyptian AF and Hellenic AF in Egypt and Greece respectively. While at Egypt,
the Indian Rafales soared high and flew over the Great Pyramids in formation
with the Egyptian Rafales. Indian ambassador to Egypt Mr Ajit Gupte met the
team and extended his best wishes.
The Greek sky
saw the IAF Rafales flying with the F-16s of the Hellenic Air Force. Aimed at
enhancing international military cooperation and interoperability, this “transatlantic
leap by IAF's Rafales has opened the gates to many such enriching exercises in
future”.
IAF
in Indonesia
On 10 July 2024, an IAF contingent made a transit halt at Indonesia while heading
towards southern hemisphere for Ex Pitch Black 24. Su-30MKI fighters landed at
Halim and were welcomed by Mr. Sandeep Chakravorty, Indian Ambassador to
Indonesia. These long range missions were supported by IAF Il-78 inflight
refueller aircraft.
