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Partner nations join Airmen during first multilateral Silver Flag exercise

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joshua Smoot
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs

Engineers from the Royal Australian Air Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force, Republic of Korea Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force began the first multilateral partner-nation Silver Flag exercise Feb. 13, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

Led by engineers from the 554th RED HORSE Squadron, Silver Flag is a U.S. Pacific Command multilateral subject matter expert exchange event designed to build partnerships and promote interoperability through the equitable exchange of civil engineer-related information.

After an in-brief, 54 multinational students divided into groups based on their specialties, which includes command and control, electrical, power production, heavy repair and emergency management.

During their first hands-on training scenario, the exercise cadre shared techniques with the students on how to build tents during contingency operations.

“I feel extremely lucky to be given the opportunity to train at Silver Flag,” said Leading Aircraftsman Leighton Howard, an electrician with the RAAF. “I hope to take back some techniques and equipment ideas for our own capabilities.”

As the week progresses, students will be trained on multiple engineering tasks including how to setup emergency airfield lighting and mobile aircraft arresting systems, repair airfield damage, maintain and repair power production systems and more. The course will conclude with a recovery exercise and a retreat ceremony.

“We are hoping to learn their capabilities and share with them how we do things during contingency operations,” said Maj. Vuong Tran, 554th RHS Silver Flag flight commander. “We want to bring our capabilities together to help build a better relationship between our nations.”