Red flag 9-3 took place at Nellis AFB between Feb 24 & March 13, 2009. These exercises have recently been extended from periods lasting two weeks, to three weeks for additional closeair support work. The Red Flag program, along with Green Flag and Air Warrior,  provides a realistic training environment for American and Allied aircrews.

  The primary highlight for photographers this time around was the presence of Australian F-111 Aardvarks. Due for possible retirement in 2010, this may have been the last chance to photograph these swing-wing aircraft in flight here in the United States. Australia is last country flying the type.

  Other aircraft present were Tornadoes from the UK; EA-6B Prowlers from NAS Whidbey Island; an EA-18G Growler from China Lake; A-10s from Air National Guard units in Maryland, Idaho, and Michigan; an E-8 Joint Star; several E-3 Sentry AWACs aircraft; a pair of UK-based C-130s; an EC-130 Compass Call from Davis-Monthan AFB; a KC-10A from Travis AFB; a KC-135R from Rickenbaker ANGB, Ohio; and several Spangdahlem Germany-based F-16s.

   With no media day scheduled for this round of training, photographers and spotters who converged on Nellis, were left with roaming around the excellent spotting locations outside the base.