within its somewhat utilitarian construction
are operator consoles – mission simulators for
fast jets, the E-3D Sentry and Joint Tactical Air
Controllers; a large-screen mission briefing/
debriefing auditorium; and other facilities.
Mobile phones and recording equipment are
forbidden beyond a bold yellow line marked on
the floor between the ABTC construct and inner
hangar wall, leaving space only just sufficient
for two-way pedestrian traffic. With the
exercise under way and classified information
up on a multitude of screens, AFM’s side of
the line was politely, but very clearly, drawn.
Responsibility for major UK air exercises,
including Cobra Warrior, and RAF Red Flag
participation falls to No 92 Squadron, an
AWC unit dedicated to tactics and training.
According to its CO, Wg Cdr ‘Flash’ Gordon,
it sits “front and centre” of UK air power
delivery, a claim reflected in its unique set-up.
Freshly returned from a US exchange
posting, ex-Harrier pilot Wg Cdr Gordon
explained how his unusual squadron works
using the accepted parlance of ‘green suits’
(RAF personnel) and ‘black suits’ (former RAF
personnel, now working for civilian company
Inzpire). Combined, green and black constitute
White Force, the exercise facilitators.
“I need my green suits concentrating on
current tactics and being the direct interface
and conduit between scenario development
and the training set-up that Inzpire facilitates.
While the black suits concentrate on that,
my guys, as the current expertise, can be ‘in
the weeds’ instructors during the exercise.
“My green suits, none lower than squadron
leader in rank, are subject matter experts [SMEs].
At the moment they include 11 RAF personnel,
plus Canadian and Australian liaison officers and
a USAF exchange officer. Two have flown the
B-2 on exchange, for example, while others
Above: The ABTC exercise control room is a hive
of activity. Garry Ridsdale via Inzpire
Top: The Luftwaffe contingent fl ying out of
Coningsby included Tornado ECR 46+45
from Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 51
‘Immelmann’. Luke Webster
Below: Luftwaffe Eurofi ghters also joined
Cobra Warrior from Coningsby. The
exercise offers overseas aircrew with
similar graduation possibilities
to those enjoyed by the RAF’s
QWIs. Luke Websterhttp://www.airforcesmonthly.com #363 JUNE 2018 // 99