[tadtam]

you may notice increased military aircraft activity as the Air Force conducts Red Flag 14-1 from Jan. 27 through Feb. 14.

[Raiderman]

I'm guessing this takes place over the test and training range, not something that is watchable. I'd love to have a vantage point from which to watch!

[icarian]

Yep, except for the takeoffs and landings. Desert and Reveille Military Operations Area (MOA) to the north for Red Flag. Restricted areas if separation from bombs, bullets, and aliens can be maintained.

[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by Raiderman

I'm guessing this takes place over the test and training range, not something that is watchable. I'd love to have a vantage point from which to watch!

Google "Hancock Summit, Nevada."

[Raiderman]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

Google "Hancock Summit, Nevada."

Road trip!

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by Raiderman

I'm guessing this takes place over the test and training range, not something that is watchable. I'd love to have a vantage point from which to watch!

If they bring back Aviation Nation this year try to go.

Nellis cancels Aviation Nation 2013

[Raiderman]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

If they bring back Aviation Nation this year try to go.

Nellis cancels Aviation Nation 2013

Thank you, I absolutely will be there if it happens. My wife doesn't understand my fascination with the machines.. I think it's a guy thing? dunno. But for me it's nostalgic. I used to sit on the roof of my Navy barracks in the Caribbean with a cold beer (or 20) and watch the fighter squadrons train over the ocean.

[Buzz123]

You do know that Top Gun is at Fallon, NV, north of here?

My wife worked for a government contractor that played Russians in the war games. She got us an invitation to watch the practice of the Air Force bombing and strafing presentation that they put on for the big wigs. I think they do it the day before the public is invited in. They did it up at Creech AFB at Indian Springs. They ran it through once and everyone got up to leave, and they said nobody can leave yet, we have to do it again. No one was upset by that. It was thrilling to say the least. I'd say we were no further than 200 yards from tanks and trucks being strafed and bombed. My favorites were the Warthogs - the A-10's with their Gatling guns. When they fired those guns the planes seemed to freeze in mid-air from the back pressure.

[sargentodiaz]

There's been a lot of discussion about continuing Red Flag. The origin was to teach our pilots the performance and armament of USSR and Warsaw Pact aircraft. There are lots of the aircraft parked all over NAFB - none with the guts left in. Our guys used F-5s but flew exactly how the Warsaw Pact pilots did.

Now that we no longer have a Cold War where our main enemy would've been Russian aircraft, the question is: why continue?

I haven't heard or talked to those involved but have a strong gut feeling that they've turned their concentration over to Chinese aircraft and pilots. As of yet, haven't seen a single Chinese plane anywhere near here.

The neat thing about the exercise is always watching the various aircraft taking off and landing. B-1s are common and we occasionally get to see B-2s - awesome! The F-35s are also flying.

But, the absolute best viewing is when the Thunderbirds are up and practicing. This should be some time towards the end of January or in February. Go to U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds | America's Ambassadors in Blue for the show schedule but it doesn't include the training sessions at NAFB or Creech.

[Buzz123]

They may keep Chinese jets under wraps at Creech, or Andrews, or at Area 51, or maybe not even in Nevada, but you can bet your boots they have them somewhere.