The
IDF is prepared for every threat, be it on the ground, at sea, or in
the air. But with threats from several enemies, how exactly does the IDF
prepare for the danger posed by enemies? In order to be ready for
attacks, one unique squadron prepares the whole Air Force by simulating
dog fights and emulating enemy forces and tactics - creating scenarios
as close as possible to what pilots may face in war.
One
by one, and from every direction, combat aircrafts take off in a
dizzying rush. At first, it may be possible to follow their actions, but
they disappear from sight in seconds, dashing towards the designated
aerial training zone. Up in the sky, dozens of airplanes fight
head-to-head.
Israel Air Force pilots are used to practicing day or night, and in every part of the country. In the IAF,
one squadron specializes in simulating the enemy. The Flying Dragon,
also known as the Red Squadron, is a practice squadron whose objective
is to simulate enemy aircrafts for the purpose of training other IAF
fighter squadrons and preparing them for war.
The
squadron effectively serves as the operational branch of the IAF’s
Advanced Training Center in southern Israel’s Ovda airbase. Established
in its current form five years ago, this training squadron specializes
in enemy simulations, both in the air and on the ground. They expertly
prepare IAF pilots, as well as pilots from around the world, for real-life aerial combat scenarios through head-to-head drills.
Capt.
Omer is a 25-year-old pilot in the IAF’s Flying Dragon. He spends most
of his time in the IAF’s F-16 fighter squadron, the Negev Squadron,
while often training with the Flying Dragon.
Capt.
Omer discussed the opportunities that this squadron provides in order
to reach ultimate preparation for possible attacks. “The quality of the
Flying Dragon is that we have many capabilities: the best aircraft, the
best pilots, the best technology for simulations and a large area for
exercises (southern Israel),” Capt. Omer explained. “Our job is to bring
the exercise to an unprecedented difficulty level for the other
squadrons.”
Head-to-head
The
Flying Dragon is unique in that it is able to create specific, tactical
plans in order to deal with obstacles provided by the enemy. “To
simulate the enemy in different operational situations, we hold
exercises - each one with a different plausible enemy-attack scenario,
where 2-3 squadrons participate. Our mission is to stage an attack as
close to an enemy attack as possible, with the missions of the other
participating squadrons to take down our planes [the enemy planes] before they can attack.”
While
most of the IAF’s combat squadrons are busy with their operational
duties, with little time to focus on simulating enemy attacks, Capt.
Omer explained that these simulation exercises are critical to the IAF’s
ultimate preparedness. “These workshops allow for all squadrons to be
on the same page, as they gain more knowledge on the enemy itself and
what a possible attack would look like, depending on the enemy.”
Recognizing
that the air force was lacking something crucial in its training, the
decision was made to allocate planes and pilots for enemy simulation.
“During these exercises, we try to take down the aircraft of the
participating squadrons using enemy tactics. If they have been ‘downed’
by us [the enemy], we lower their scores and they are requested to
return to their base. The squadron that comes in first place gets a
trophy,” Capt. Omer said.
How
exactly is the squadron able to stage enemy aircrafts and mimic their
tactics for attack? “We work diligently with the IAF Intelligence
Formation and, along with our experience, we work to understand
precisely how enemy air forces, and their aircraft, work. We then
simulate these different threats and that is how we stage an enemy
attack.”
While
the Flying Dragon is not an operational squadron, all its pilots have
emergency postings and its aircraft are equipped to serve as combat
aircraft in the event of war.
“We
always pick exercises that are operationally relevant,” Capt. Omer
said. “The squadron is very advanced and holds exercises that are
considered very difficult, even for IAF standards.”
Going global
The
IAF’s development of the Flying Dragon Squadron has come to the
attention of air forces around the world, and has even led to several international exercises being held in Israel.
“In the past few years, we have become a central part of global air force exercises being held in Israel. We have been involved in exercises with other nations’ air forces that come to Israel, such as the U.S. Air Force, the Italian Air Force, and the Polish Air Force.”
In
the eight years since its establishment, the Flying Dragon Squadron has
come to be regarded as among the best in the IAF. “We are known to hold
quality exercises,” Capt. Omer said. “Many IAF squadrons wish to
practice with us to be as prepared as possible for war.”
No comments:
Post a Comment