Turkey will take part in the U.S.-hosted Red Flag air combat exercise for the first time since 2016, marking its return to one of the world’s most advanced aerial warfare training programs. The Turkish Ministry of Defense confirmed the participation in a statement, as reported by Voice of America’s Turkish edition on Thursday.
According to the ministry, Turkey will send five F-16 fighter jets and 73 military personnel to the Red Flag-2025 Joint Air Combat Exercise, which is set to take place from March 10 to March 21 at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, United States. Turkish defense officials stated that the country’s F-16s and military personnel have already arrived in the U.S. ahead of the drills.
This year’s participation marks Turkey’s eighth appearance at the prestigious exercise, which has been held annually since 1975. The Red Flag exercises are designed to provide realistic combat training, improve strategic planning, and enhance interoperability among U.S. forces and allied nations. The program is conducted multiple times each year, with the sessions at Nellis Air Force Base referred to as Red Flag, while those at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska are known as Red Flag-Alaska.
Originally established in response to combat lessons from the Vietnam War, Red Flag has grown into a crucial international training platform, equipping military personnel with advanced combat tactics. Over the past five decades, the exercise has trained more than 500,000 personnel and conducted over 420,000 sorties, reinforcing the combat readiness of allied air forces.
Turkey’s return to Red Flag follows a period of strained defense ties with Washington, particularly over its removal from the F-35 program in 2019 after acquiring Russian S-400 missile defense systems. However, recent developments, including the U.S. approval of F-16 sales to Turkey, indicate a potential shift in bilateral military cooperation.
With the upcoming Red Flag exercise, Turkey aims to enhance its operational capabilities, strengthen alliances with NATO partners, and reaffirm its strategic role in international defense collaborations.
