Blue air pilots went head-to-head with F-35 Lightning II aggressor pilots for the first time at the Red Flag-Nellis air exercise.
The exercise was held on the Nevada Test and Training range this week, testing pilots in more difficult training scenarios.
The aggressors provided a "realistic and robust adversary" that the blue pilots had to fight against, according to 57th Operations Group commander Scott Mills.
"The aggressor nation here is one of the best in the world at finding those niches, finding those gaps and seams, and absolutely punishing those mistakes that blue air makes," Mills said in a press release.
The F-35s are being introduced to expand on the F-16 Falcon's aggressor capabilities, representing a more advanced enemy.
The aircraft have faced problems in software updates and increased costs over the past months.
USAF makes history with highway landings in Michigan
Washington DC (UPI) Aug 5, 2021 –
The U.S. Air Force made history Thursday after intentionally landing six aircraft on a Michigan highway during Exercise Northern Strike — the annual multi-national military event hosted by the Michigan National Guard.
The special road-landing drill took place on highway M-32 near Alpena. The road was closed for five hours to accommodate the exercise.
Four a-10C attack aircraft and two C-146A Wolfhound special operations transports landed about 11 a.m. EST. They were joined by the Michigan Air National Guard's 127th Wing, the Air Force's 355th Wing and the Air Force Special Operations Command.
The highway was to remain closed until 1 p.m. local time, and 61 businesses and homes in the area were without power in the morning.
