Pentagon awards Red Air contract

Seven companies were awarded a not to exceed, indefinite delivery/ indefinite- quantity contract to provide counter air services through October 2024. The total value of the contract is estimated at $6.4B. The companies are Air USA of New Mexico, ATAC of Newport News, Blue Air Training of Las Vegas, Coastal Defense of Pennsylvania, Draken International of Lakeland, Tactical Air Support of Reno, and Top Aces of Mesa.

The activities will take place at multiple locations, using multiple aircraft types.

www.defense.gov...

a reply to: Zaphod58

Thats a good deal for both the companies and the Fighters IMHO. The USAF does not need to burn through air frame life fighting against the exact same craft they are flying. Plus the training aspect.

I'd expect to see alot more stuff resurrected and put on the flightline in the future.

a reply to: FredT

I'm looking forward to seeing Cheetahs and Mirages at future Red Flags.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: FredT

I'm looking forward to seeing Cheetahs and Mirages at future Red Flags.

Yep wonder of they will dust off an Alpha Jet as well as say some Tornado ADV's

a reply to: FredT

I doubt they'll bring the Tornado back. Top Aces in Australia and Canada has Alpha Jets though. There are quite a few still around in service, so we'll probably eventually see some flying around as Red Air eventually.

Loved hanging out at Point Mugu to watch, saw the F4 in Vegas



These pics don't do the justice.

Edit: briefing over the article you linked, does the Omega air refuelling service fit into this? Generally watching Flightradar24, where there's ATAC, there's an Omega Refueler nearby. Granted Omega is circling over Mojave, I've seen them out over SoCal/San Clemente Channel islands.

Another question: who's piloting these Faux Fighters? Are they current fighter pilots? Seems like a nice gig.

a reply to: Bigburgh

My fav plane, the A-4. I had some flights in the back seat of the TA-4 when I was a young bloke. Fun memories.

Great pics,

Kind regards,

bally

originally posted by: bally001
a reply to: Bigburgh

My fav plane, the A-4. I had some flights in the back seat of the TA-4 when I was a young bloke. Fun memories.

Great pics,

Kind regards,

bally

Thanks for the correction.. I said f4, not a phantom. But A4 is the proper pre f18 blue angels.

a reply to: Bigburgh

I happened to catch the last (public) A-4 demo before the change. Good times.

It's retired guys flying for these companies. From all over. English is already the lingua franca in aviation. The local group was recruiting heavily out of the Navy and Marines, but they've got people from everywhere.

a reply to: RadioRobert

Caught my demo in Fallon NV.
And thanks for answering my question.

a reply to: Bigburgh

Omega services the Navy. They'll be part of any exercises involving them, but not involved with this contract outside that.