Exercise Blue Flag 2022

(Photo: RAF)

After every two years, the Israel Air Force holds the Blue Flag exercise: an international training exercise hosting air forces from around the world to strengthen cooperation between the nations. This year witnessed the largest and most advanced aerial exercise ever held in Israel. “Holding an international exercise in this current reality, while continuing our public and covert operational activities on all fronts, is of utmost strategic importance and has extensive impact over the Israeli Air Force, the IDF, and the State of Israel” On 17 October 2021, after months of extensive preparations, the international Blue Flag exercise led by the Israeli Air Force with the participation of seven air forces officially commenced. The exercise lasted two weeks and ended 28 October 2021.

A Historic Exercise

Germany, Italy, Britain, France, India, Greece and the United States participated in Blue Flag 2021. This was the first deployment of a British fighter squadron in Israel since establishment of the country, as well as the first-ever deployment of an Indian Mirage fighter squadron in Israel, and the first deployment of a French Rafale fighter squadron in Israel. Each participating air force differs in weapon systems, combat doctrines and operational protocols, which could pose challenges in joint training. “The participants aren’t familiar with the airspace so we designed a gradual two-week-long training programme”, Lt Col E. shared. “First, training scenarios designed to familiarise aircrew members with the airspace and its challenges took place to allow for safe training in the days ahead. To start, each country flew in separate formations and over time, we began flying in joint formations of different nations and platforms. Also, we performed singular training sessions with the aim of understanding the training ground and the aerial and ground forces it contains. Lastly, we shifted to air superiority situations, simulating various ground and aerial threats while completing varying operational missions”.

Between Generations

This year’s theme was the integration of fourth and fifth-generation aircraft in complex operational scenarios. “Due to the rise in the use of fifth-generation fighters around the world, this year’s Blue Flag exercise focused on combining them with other platforms in the battlefield”, explained Lt. Col. E. “Air forces understand that, at least in the near future, they will not strictly operate fifth-gen aircraft, but also the older fourth-generation platforms”, he added. “When planning the exercise, we tried to create heterogenic scenarios that combine different countries, squadrons and generations. Fourth-generation aircraft will fly alongside fifth-generation aircraft in ways that utilise the relative advantages of each platform. Cooperation between different generation aircraft strongly enhances the power of an air force”.

A Historic Flyover

Another event taking place for the first time was a joint honorary flyover in Israeli skies. Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin, commander of the Israeli Air Force, headed the flyover in a “Baz” (F-15) alongside an Israeli “Adir” (F-35I). Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, Commander of the German Air Force, flew alongside them in the “Eagle Star” Eurofighter, which has been specially painted with the Israeli and German flags. Maj. Gen. Norkin stated, “This exercise is groundbreaking in terms of technology, quality of training, and the number of participating nations. It illustrates the partnership and strong bond between the nation’s air forces and acts as a stepping-stone toward regional and international cooperation”.

Article by: Roni Kolman and Israel Air Force Photos: RAF (@RoyalAirForce)/German Air Force (@Team_Luftwaffe)/Israel Air Force (@IsraelAirForce)/USAF/Tomar Aizik/Amit Agronov/Nevo Levin

IAI’s Scorpius T AESA EW next generation threat simulator debuts at Blue Flag 2021

Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) subsidiary, Elta unveiled the Training Scorpius (Scorpius T) system participating in the Blue Flag 2021 military exercise- the first use of the system in an international military exercise. The mobile, Scorpius T, AESA EW threat simulator, emulates modern, signal-dense, multi-threat scenarios for aircrews and operators training, as well as test EW functions. The system is compatible with 5th generation fighters, mission-aircraft and fighter aircraft. The technology uses a range of small transmitter/receiver units, opposed to a single mechanical antenna, to provide a mobile training unit capable of simulating a range of combat scenarios. In addition, Scorpius T is the first system to combine IAI Elta’s AESA technology with EW systems to simulate multiple land-based threats in training exercises.