US and South Korean F-16 pilots and maintainers paired up at Kunsan AB, Korea, last week to practice for Red Flag later this year. “We want to train together so we understand these subtle differences and fight alongside each other seamlessly,” said Lt. Col. Luther Cross, safety chief with Kunsan’s 8th Fighter Wing. He added, “The main difference between Red Flag and other training scenarios is the large number of aircraft in each fight.” Cooperative training is essential because “our normal flights here are usually four versus two aircraft, but Red Flag could possibly have more than 50 versus 12 aircraft,” said Cross. Exercise Buddy Wing 14-1 ran Jan. 14 to Jan. 20 at Kunsan. Republic of Korea Air Force jets are slated to participate in Red Flag at Nellis AFB, Nev. in July. The Air Force had to cancel Red Flag exercises last year due to sequestration. (Kunsan report) (See also Red Flag’s Back)
The Air Force Research Laboratory awarded Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems Inc. and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems matching $17.7 million contracts for an "Off-Board Sensing Station,” which is an unmanned aircraft that would extend a manned fighter’s sensing range and also potentially carry additional weapons for that aircraft. The cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts…