Red Flag ‘77 -
…... a busy flying and detachment schedule but that year, with all the training demands and the rigours of operations in the barren wastes of Goose Bay and the heat of the Nevada desert, it had been particularly difficult. That the Squadron did not drop a sortie at either Goose or Nellis was an amazing feat, and to finish the final Red Flag sortie with all ten aircraft airborne after such a demanding operational exercise was truly exceptional. Long hours of preparation and rectification, excellent leadership and teamwork and a great sense of pride combined to great effect. Not least, the Squadron’s logisticians had also worked miracles to move our heavy weapons and critical aircraft spares to the right place when needed. The Squadron could not have asked for better.
Once back in the UK, news of the results had spread and the Squadron was tasked to brief every conceivable senior staff headquarters including the Chiefs of Staff Committee at the MOD. The briefs were honest and to the point and with factual reports to enforce the lessons learned. There was also some quite good film that left no doubt as to the parameters to which the sorties had been flown. Having worked on the premise that this Red Flag was to be a one-
On subsequent Flag exercises, (Green, maple, Blue etc.), which all had slightly different emphasis and complexity, the work-
Although the following YouTube video was taken by one of 208’s sister squadrons on a
later RED FLAG exercise, it still gives a very good account of the Exercise environment.
