RED TAILS TRAIN TO KEEP F-35S IN THE FIGHT DURING TUSKEGEE THUNDER

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio, Aug. 18 -- The U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology issued the following news release:

Airmen assigned to the 187th Fighter Wing trained to generate and sustain F-35A Lightning II combat airpower under pressure during Operation Tuskegee Thunder, Aug. 12-14.

The exercise, conducted in conjunction with the wing's Combat Readiness Inspection, placed the Red Tails in a simulated Indo-Pacific operating environment. Airmen executed offensive and defensive counter-air missions while dealing with threats meant to disrupt operations.

The CRI represents a major milestone in the wing's transition to the F-35 mission. It evaluates the 187th's ability to generate and sustain combat airpower under combat condit...