Anatolian Eagle 15-1

Konya Air Base, Turkey, 8-19 June 2015 Report by Aidan Curley After visiting the US for many years since the 1980s to observe and sometimes participate in Red Flag exercises, the Turkish Air Force formulated a plan to organise a similar set of exercises closer to home with the aim to become one of the most prestigious Tactical Training Centres in the world.

Red Flag Alaska 15-2

Elmendorf and Eielson AFB, Alaska, USA, 30/4-15/5 2015 Report by Aidan Curley Three times a year Red Flag Alaska (RFA) military exercises are held at the two main bases of Eielson and Elmendorf-Richardson just outside Fairbanks and Anchorage respectively. Originally named Cope Thunder, the Pacific Air Forces sponsored exercise was moved to Eielson from Clark Air Base, Philippines in 1992 after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo on June 15, 1991 forced the curtailment of operations. Cope Thunder was re-designated Red Flag Alaska in 2006.

NATO Tiger Meet 2015

Konya, Turkey, 4-16 May 2015 By Aidan Curley A favourite event on the calendar of many military aviation photographers is the annual NATO Tiger Meet in which various units having a Tiger in their squadron emblem get together at a different base each year for a flying exercise and to renew old friendships. The long-held tradition of creating stunning special colour schemes makes this event truly special and the organisers are to be congratulated for holding media/photographer days each year allowing great access for photos.

NATO TLP Albacete

NATO Tactical Leadership Programme Albacete Air Base, Spain 15 September – 10 October 2014 The visit was made in the fourth week of the exercise which was blessed with good flying weather and a westerly wind. Local authorities were considerate and, since the harvest was already gathered in, landowners were considerate in allowing the many photographers to gather near the runway approach paths. In week four only afternoon sessions are flown.

NATO Tiger Meet 2014

Each year the NATO Tiger Meet brings together as many squadrons as possible that include a ‘big cat’ in their squadron motif. Over the years the development of weatherproof adhesive vinyl has allowed more innovative and complex colour schemes to be applied to ‘Tiger’ aircraft and inspired squadron ‘artists’ to run riot in demonstrating their creative skills.

Frisian Flag Exercise 2013

15-26 April 2013 Leeuwarden Air Base, Netherlands In a similar style to last year, European military airmen gathered in northern Holland to train for realistic combat operations flying two sorties a day spread over two weeks. This year participants were slightly reduced with the United Kingdom and Finland deciding not to attend. However, Leeuwarden and hundreds of enthusiasts witnessed arrivals from Belgium, Poland and the Netherlands (F-16s), Germany (Typhoons), France (Mirage 2000 and F1CRs) and Sweden (Gripens). Other participants included a civilian agency Learjet 36A from Skyline Aviation and the Dutch Hercules providing a slow moving target for interceptions. Other command and control assets deploy from their home bases.