'Red Necks' at Red Flag

The International Symposium of Aviation Photography was held for the fourth time this year. Every year, this three day symposium is held somewhere in the United States. The location for 2004 was Las Vegas and the field trip was planned for, yes, of course, a Red Flag exercise at nearby Nellis AFB. Knowing from previous experience that the symposium is well worth every penny, especially as it was organised by Jay Miller, Denny Lombard and Chad Slatterly, three of the most respected photographers and aviation historians around.  One other important factor for us was one of the guest speakers - Katsuhiko Tokunaga - the decision was made, we HAD to go. Words & Pictures by: Berry Vissers / Squadron Prints Ltd.

The first day was spent listening to various speeches, which were very good and informative. We were especially interested specially in the lecture about the Canon EOS 1D MkII of which I am now a proud owner of. What a great piece of kit! The Japanese Nikon contingent did their best to show off their RAW conversion software but unfortunately the programme slides were all in Japanese and nobody but Katsu could read it so he did the translation all the way through which must have been very tiring for him. Still, it was a very informative speech and lots could be learned from it.

The second day was the day to get out of the air-conditioned presentation room and into the baking sun for the day out at Nellis. The organisers did themselves proud. Everything was arranged absolutely perfectly and in great detail. I could never imagine that three busloads of people could be so well organised and instructed. At first, we were allowed a visit to the 547^th Intelligence Squadron and their Threat Training Facility (also known as the ‘Petting Zoo’. This unit has a lot of Soviet hardware on display, including several aircraft and helicopters. Outside, in between missile launchers and other military material were a Mi-14 Hip and a Mi-24 Hind and inside a MiG-23 and a MiG-29. Both aircraft had their engine, chaff/flare dispensers and other equipment removed. All original markings have been removed as well. As a gate guardian on the building is a MiG-17 and a Su-7 (in Iraqi markings) and the MiG-21F was parked on the other side of the road.

Next on the agenda were the sun sheds on, roughly, the middle of the huge ramp. Parked in the sheds were the only ‘OT’ marked aircraft that we were allowed to photograph. There was a restriction as well: only pictures from the front were allowed and we were not allowed to cross a certain line. Well, who cares! Any permission to photograph the brand new F/A-22 Raptors is very much welcomed. Speaking to some Dutch technicians earlier on, Red Flag participants were not allowed to even look at the aircraft, let alone take pictures, we knew we were quite privileged to being granted this permission.

Even the Base Commander came out to see how the field trip was doing and Gill, being Gill, grabbed the opportunity to present the General with our newly produced 422^nd TESS Squadron Print. His immediate reaction was: “Wow, that looks so real. Where did you get the Raptor information from?” Gill, again being Gill, immediately changed the subject and asked him to sign her print… Getting a fair bit of sun already, the group was split up in three, each going to another row on the flight line to photograph some aircraft and, more sun-shine.   We were getting a nice shade of pink by this time.

After lunch, we had a private show of the United Air Force Flight Demonstration Team the Thunderbirds. This took a bit longer than anticipated and we then had to rush to the coaches to be driven around the airfield to position ourselves to photograph the afternoon launch of Red Flag 04-2! Let the action begin and the sun beat down even more on our, by now, red necks. 

Our “drop off” point from the coaches was at rotation point for most jet aircraft, which was slap bang in the middle of the two runways at Nellis.  We stood on a white baked sand bed in about 97F! All you were meant to do was drink, drink, drink but there was work to be done! Compact Flash cards were demanding to be filled with images and  thankfully I had a few with me…

This Flag contained mostly F-15s and F-16s, but the British were there with Tornado GR4s from Lossiemouth, the Spanish were there with Hornets and some B-52s took part as well. It all happens fast during a Red Flag launch which can consist of about 80 aircraft or more, all itching to get airborne right on time. It takes about an hour to and hour and a half to get all the aircraft for that wave ‘off the deck’, just in time for the first aircraft to return. Unfortunately, we had to leave before the return, not only because our time was up, but also because the red necks, were now BRIGHT red and they badly needed some ‘aftersun’ and our bodies were screaming for more liquid!  What a fantastic day and, grateful thanks to Public Affairs at Nellis AFB for arranging this and supporting the event.

Saturday’s event consisted of yet more very good speeches during this, the final day. The highlight for me must have been the talk from Katsu. What a great photographer he is. He talked about a two weeks assignment in Turkey, flying more than 40 hours in an F-16 two-seater, taking pictures of aircraft of ALL fighter squadrons in the Turkish Air Force. He also told us about his latest photo shoot with the new Greek Block 52 F-16s, about Japanese F-15s air to air but sadly it was time for us to go. Next day we had to be at NAS Lemoore for their air show. We had to go because some units are looking to get a Squadron Print done. What a job J Stay tuned, these pictures will be up shortly.