RED STAR RENEGADES

SQUADRON SHOWCASE // 64TH AGGRESSOR SQUADRON

The 64th Aggressor Squadron is one of just two dedicated ‘red air’ units in the US Air Force that specialize in replicating adversary aircraft types such as the MiG-29. However, this community of ‘bad guys’ is growing and big changes are on the radar scope.

Marked up for the commander of the 57th Adversary Tactics Group, serial 85-1418 is a Block 25 F-16C.
Dan Stijovich
Taxiing out at Nellis in May, this 64th AGRS F-16C is carrying an Elta EL-8222 electronic attack pod.
Jamie Hunter

AS THE TEMPERATURE hits 30°, four pilots step into the searing heat of a bright Nevada morning, quickly slapping on their sunglasses for protection from the glare. Greeted with a sharp salute from each of their crew chiefs, these ‘Viper’ masters inspect their mounts before climbing aboard. As they strap in, their respective flying helmets — perched carefully on the cockpit sill — reveal that each visor cover carries an unmistakable red star and Cyrillic writing. For these aviators, today’s intention is the same as any other: to prepare their opponents for what they might expect from a highly capable opponent in the air.

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