the flying element: less on the
planning, more on the execution.”
Hercules partnership
India brought a single C-130J
and ‘Garud’ commandos – Indian
Air Force special forces – who
conducted joint manoeuvres with
Israel’s elite Unit 669 combat
search and rescue force, 103
Squadron ‘Elephants’ from
Nevatim and IAF helicopter units.
Sqn Ldr K Bharat from the Indian
Air Force said: “This is the first time
for us here in Israel. There is a
significant importance in the ability
to work and train together and share
problems and solutions. There is
an understanding of the common
challenges, and a lot of combat
experience that we can learn from.”
Capt Itamar from 103 Squadron
added: “Flying in Blue Flag isn’t like
a regular training flight. The rules
of the game change in an exercise
as large as this one, and the aerial
‘playground’ is designed so that
the scenarios are as effective for
the participants as possible.”
Exchange of
knowledge
During the opening ceremony
Maj Gen Amikam Norkin, the
commander of the IAF, explained:
“We learn from international air
forces and the experience they have
gained from aerial activity around
the world – this is how we have
improved our combat doctrine over
the years. If we want to influence
the changing reality we see in a
decade, we must prepare together,
create common solutions and
establish an international plan.”
Brig Gen Ein-Dar added: “The
situation in the region is very
Exercise
Report Blue Flag 2017
Above: Mirage 2000D 668 ‘3-IG’ from Escadron de Chasse 1/3 ‘Navarre’ at Base
Aérienne 133 Nancy-Ochey. The Armée de l’Air Mirages were noted carrying
laser-guided bombs on the fuselage stations. Amit Agronov Right: F-16I Sufa 823
(YD-57, 99-9406) was among the 107 Squadron ‘Knights of the Orange Tail’ jets
involved. The squadron is normally based at Hatzerim. Noam Menashe Below:
Sufas roll out for another Blue Flag mission over the Negev Desert. Amit Agronov80 // JANUARY 2018 #358 http://www.airforcesmonthly.com
Blue Flag 2017 participants
Force Unit Type Number of aircraft/remarks
Israeli Air Force 103 Squadron ‘Elephants’ C-130J 1
107 Squadron ‘Knights of the Orange Tail’ F-16I 6
101 Squadron ‘First Fighter’ F-16C 6
109 Squadron ‘Valley’ F-16D Support aircraft for 115 Squadron
115 Squadron ‘Flying Dragon’ F-16C Complete squadron
117 Squadron ‘First Jet’ F-16C Support aircraft for 115 Squadron
120 Squadron ‘Desert Giants’ KC-707 1
122 Squadron ‘Nachshon’ G500/G550 –
133 Squadron ‘Knights of the Twin Tail’ F-15A/B/C/D 14 (some loaned from 106
Squadron)
Armée de l’Air Escadron de Chasse 1/3 ‘Navarre’ Mirage 2000D 5
US Air Forces in Europe 510th Fighter Squadron ‘Buzzards’ F-16CJ 8
Luftwaffe Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 73 ‘Steinhoff’ EF2000 6
Indian Air Force 77 Squadron ‘Veiled Vipers’ C-130J 1
Hellenic Air Force 335 Mira ‘Tigers’ F-16C/D 4
Italian Air Force 6° Stormo Tornado IDS/ECR 4
Polish Air Force 3 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego, 6 Eskadra
Lotnictwa TaktycznegoF-16C/D 6