WASHINGTON: Pakistani aircraft will fly alongside US, UAE and Israeli fighter jets during a military exercise in Nevada later this month, the US media reported on Wednesday.

The Aviationist magazine reported that six Pakistani AFF16C/D Block 52+ combat jets had already arrived in the United States to take part in the Green Flag and Red Flag exercises at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

The US Air Force describes Red Flag as its “premier air-to-air combat training exercise,” in which participants simulate dogfights to improve their aviation skills. Green Flag prepares pilots to fight in a combined air, ground and electronic threat environment.

In 2016, the US Air Force is holding four Red Flag exercises in Nevada. The first ran from January to February, the second from February to March and the third in July, while the final exercise will be conducted on Aug 15-26.

Besides USAF, Pakistan, UAE and Israeli air forces are also participating in the August exercise. The Israeli media reported that Israel is sending both fighter jets and cargo planes for the exercises.

“For the second and fourth Red Flag, we will be including foreign players which include the United Kingdom, Australia, Turkey, Italy, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, and Spain,” Col. Jeffrey Weed, a Combat Training Squadron commander in the US Air Force, announced after the 2015 Red Flag exercise.

The Israeli military said that their air force was only participating as a guest and the decision to include them in an exercise with aircraft from two Muslim nations was taken by the host country, the United States.

Earlier this year, a senior Israeli official told his country’s media that such exercises also gave Israel the opportunity to take part in “a form of roundabout” diplomatic strategy.

“[International exercises] are not just military, but strategic in nature. “And the strategic benefits are not always direct; they can also be roundabout.”

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2016

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...