Once the sole property of USAF civil engineer and services personnel, Silver Flag now opens its doors to other specialties—any that want to learn the basics of bare-base force beddown, base recovery after attack, explosive ordnance disposal, chemical warfare operations, food service, and personnel accountability. Run at Tyndall AFB, Fla., officials say that more than 5,600 troops—active duty and reserve of all services—train at the Silver Flag Exercise site each year.
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.