An interesting clip shows the amount of Eurofighters (and other European aircraft, including the Italian F-35s at their first Red Flag) taking part in RF20-2.
I wrote that RF 20-2, currently underway at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, would be a sort-of “European Red Flag” when I reported about the Spanish Eurofighters on their way to the U.S. via Lajes Field, Azores. In fact, along with the Spanish aircraft, the current RF is attended by the Italian F-35A and F-2000 Typhoons, accompanied by the G550 CAEW, by the German Eurofighters and Tornado, as well as by NATO E-3A AWACS normally based at Geilenkirchen, Germany.
The following video shows almost all the European aircraft taking part in RF 20-2 (most of those performed a “Flex” departure) launching and then recovering at the end of a RF “wave”. You can see the AEW (Airborne Early Warning) aircraft depart first, followed by the rest of the aircraft, including the Italian Air Force F-35As of the 13° Gruppo (Squadron) of the 32° Stormo (Wing) of the Italian Air Force at their first Red Flag ever.
While the video focuses on the European fighters, you can also spot the U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornets (carrying AGM-88 Harm missiles) of VMFA-232 recovering after a mission. Many other U.S. aircraft are taking part in this Flag, including 5th and 2nd BW B-52s, 20th FW F-16s and 62nd FS F-35As.
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