Message posted by Hank on February 02, 2007 at 15:54:14 PST:
NEWS RELEASE Nellis Air Force Base Office of Public Affairs www.nellis.af.mil --more-- --30--
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
4430 Grissom Ave. Suite 107
Nellis AFB, NV 89191
Phone: (702) 652-2750; Fax (702) 652-9838
E-mail: 99abw.pa@nellis.af.mil
Release No. 07-05
Time: 11 a.m.
Date: 30 Jan 2007
SUPERSONIC ACTIVITY TO INCREASE IN PARTS OF LINCOLN COUNTY
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. – Some Lincoln County residents will notice an increase in military aircraft activity starting Feb. 5 and continuing through Feb. 16 as a historic Red Flag exercise takes place here.
For the first time, the newly operational F-22 Raptor, the Air Force’s premier stealth fighter aircraft, will participate in the exercise along with other stealth aircraft, including the F-117 Nighthawk and B-2 Spirit bomber.
Nellis officials are predicting an increase in sonic booms in Alamo, Hiko and Rachel as the F-22s use their supercruise capability to clear the skies of F-15s and F-16s playing the role of enemy aircraft. Supercruise allows the F-22 to fly at supersonic speeds for long distances without using its afterburners.
The officials added that the majority of aerial battles will take place in the central and western portion of the military operating areas. They added that there should be little or no increase in supersonic activity in the Caliente, Panaca and Pioche areas of Lincoln County.
“The Raptor will be flying in Red Flag for the first time, and its role will be primarily air-to-air fighter escort for the Flag’s air-to-ground strike aircraft, but will also demonstrate its air-to-ground capabilities,” said Capt. James Govin, 414th Combat Training Squadron flight commander and team chief for this Red Flag.
Along with the Air Force, Red Flag 07-2 will involve more than 100 multi-service and coalition aircraft, including 14 F-22 Raptors. In addition to the stealth participants, aircraft ranging from the unmanned MQ-1 Predator to the Royal Air Force’s Tornado, Australian Air Force’s F-111 Aardvark and high-flying U-2 surveillance aircraft will be flying over southern Nevada. These aircraft will be flying missions during the day and night to the nearby Nevada Test and Training Range where they will simulate an air and ground war.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley said last year, “We have to continue to train at a high level against high-end threats and in all mission areas from fighters to combat search and rescue to ground controllers.” He added that attendees of Red Flag exercises “will leave better prepared to engage the enemy in any environment worldwide.”
For more information about Red Flag, please call the Nellis Public Affairs Office at 652-2750 or 1-800-859-3804.
Nellis officials are encouraging Lincoln County residents to report all sonic booms they hear during Red Flag to the Public Affairs Office at the above numbers. The Air Force will use the information to better predict the impact of future F-22 operations on citizens in Lincoln County and, when possible, modify operations to avoid populated areas.
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