Pioneers of Red Flag Honored for Lifetime Achievement

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., Sept. 12, 2023 — The Air & Space Forces Association presented the pioneers of Red Flag, the most comprehensive combat training program in the world, with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Air, Space & Cyber Conference. Lt. Gen. Glen “Wally” Moorhead, USAF (Ret.), accepted the award on behalf of the program’s trailblazers, including himself, retired Gen. John Jumper, and the late Col. Richard “Moody” Suter.

Red Flag is legendary among fighter pilots, ground units, controllers, planners, and maintainers around the world. For two weeks every year, U.S. military services and allied air forces from around the world come together at Nellis Air Force Base to participate in Red Flag. Since 1975, 29 countries have joined the U.S. in this exercise. More than 30,000 aircraft have participated in the program, which has provided training for close to 530,000 military personnel, who have flown approximately 423,000 sorties and an astonishing 784,000 flying hours. Deemed one of the most advanced training programs in the world today, Red Flag enables our nation’s military and its allies to maximize combat readiness, capability, and—ultimately—survivability.
 
Congratulations to all pioneers of Red Flag, and thank you for a lifetime of work in the advancement of aerospace power!