The most modern U.S. Combat Aircraft train together during Exercise Orange Flag

Orange Flag enables the test community to capture data to assess the interoperability of multiple aircraft platforms in an environment outside of traditional Edwards AFB testing

Taken on Dec. 13, 2018 in the skies above California, the cool photo in this post shows an F-35 and F-16 from Edwards Air Force Base joined by an F-15E and F-22 from the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron out of Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, along with a U.S. Navy F-18 from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 31 out of Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California.

As explained by Kenji Thuloweit, 412th Test Wing Public Affairs, in the article Joining forces: Test team completes fourth Orange Flag of 2018, the Orange Flag Evaluation Team executed its fourth successful event Orange Flag, developed by the 412th Operations Group, evaluates teamwork across the sister services to integrate joint forces across a wide range of mission areas.

The events enable the test community to capture data to assess the interoperability of multiple aircraft platforms in an environment outside of traditional Edwards testing.

“The latest event involved a total of 18 aircraft in six combat-relevant test tasks and experiments,” said Maj. Christopher Campbell, Air Force Test Center, Orange Flag Evaluation Director.

In addition to the fighters, B-52, B-2 and B-1 bombers participated along with KC-135 and KC-10 aerial refueling tankers.

Campbell said the team will analyze the data collected and apply it to develop new air power capabilities.

Photo credit: Ethan Wagner / U.S. Air Force

Artwork courtesy of AircraftProfilePrints.com