Image Cache: A United States Air Force (USAF) B-2A Spirit stealth bomber (background) comes into land following a mission during Exercise RED FLAG 15-1, with a USAF F-22A Raptor (foreground left) and F-15E Strike Eagle (foreground right) on the flightline at Nellis Air Force Base.
Image credit: LAC Michael Green / Australian Defence Image Library / © Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Defence
There are three amazing pieces of military technology on display here. One is the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, one of the USA’s few strategic bombers capable of carrying and deploying thermonuclear weapons. The second is the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor stealth fighter, widely considered one of the most powerful and advanced air superiority weapons platforms on the planet. The third is the venerable McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, an incredibly long-lived fighter model and a mainstay of awesome video games since time immemorial.
This image actually comes to us from the Australian Defence Image Library, captured by Leading Aircraftman (LAC) Michael Green on assignment as part of the RAAF team sent to the USA to participate in Exercise RED FLAG 15-1.
RED FLAG 15-1 involved members of the RAAF, USAF and the United Kingdom’s RAF training in simulation and real-world tests. We took along two our of Air Force’s C-130J Hercules transports, as well as an AP-3C Orion — an important part of Australia’s border-surveillance Operation RESOLUTE.
The photo’s caption reads:
From 27 January to 13 February 2015, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will participate in Exercise RED FLAG 15-1 at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. Hosted by the United States Air Force (USAF), Exercise RED FLAG 15-1 will involve participants from the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. Utilising the Nevada Test and Training Range, participants will be exposed to one of the world’s most advanced airborne training environments, and work together to overcome simulated threats in the air, from the ground, and in cyberspace. A total of 150 RAAF personnel will participate in Exercise RED FLAG 15-1, along with two C-130J Hercules transport aircraft and an AP-3C Orion surveillance aircraft.