Exercise Desert Flag –VI successfully culminated with deinduction of the Indian contingent from UAE. Ex Desert Flag is an annual multi-national large force employment warfare exercise hosted by the United Arab Emirates Air Force. The Indian Air Force participated for the first time along with air forces of United Arab Emirates, United States of America, France, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Bahrain. The exercise took place 3-27 March 2021 at Al- Dhafra airbase, UAE. The IAF participated with six Su-30 MKI, two C-17 and one IL-78 tanker aircraft. C-17 Globemasters provided support for induction/ de-induction of the IAF contingent. Su-30 MKI aircraft undertook the long range ferry, routing direct from India to the exercise area with aerial refueling support from IL-78 tanker aircraft. The objectives for the exercise were to expose coalition participating forces to large force employment, sharpen tactical capabilities and enhance interoperability along with fostering closer relations between the participating forces. The aim for the participating crew and specialist observers was to expose them to operational environment in scenarios requiring multinational forces working together.
During the exercise IAF flew Large Force Engagement (LFE) missions in near realistic environment involving many aircraft of varied types. IAF successfully undertook all the planned missions, both by day and night, without any mission abort. All possible assistance was provided by UAE Air Force ensuring that all planned activities were completed in time.