LFE Red Fang
Published June 21, 2025
v303 Fighter Group Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nevada --
The Nevada skies roared with the power of the v303 Fighter Group during the Large Force Exercise Objective Red Fang, a high-stakes training mission held on June 19, 2025, at the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR). This intensive exercise showcased the skill, coordination, and resilience of the group’s A-10C Thunderbolt II “KC Hawgs” and F-16C Fighting Falcon “Makos” as they tackled simulated enemy air defenses and ground targets, preparing for Afghanistan operations.
LFE Red Fang pitted the v303 FG’s Warlock (v93FS F-16C) and Spooky/Habo (v303FS A-10C) flights against a formidable array of simulated enemy forces, including CH_HQ22 surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, SA-8 Gecko SAMs, ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft artillery, and various ground assets. The mission’s objective was to neutralize enemy air defenses through suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) operations and deliver (STRIKE, AI) precision strikes to support ground forces, testing the group’s ability to operate in a contested environment.
Despite initial challenges, including technical issues with Simple Radio Standalone (SRS) communications and a headset failure that required a last-minute pilot swap, the v303 FG demonstrated exceptional adaptability. Warlock flight, faced complications with a malfunctioning CH_HQ22 mod that disrupted AGM-88 HARM missile guidance. Undeterred, Warlock’s v93FS F16 pilots employed tactical ingenuity, baiting enemy missile launches and using terrain to exhaust SAM reserves. A critical HARM strike by Warlock -3 disabled the CH_HQ22’s tracking radar, paving the way for follow-on attacks.
Spooky flight’s A-10Cs delivered devastating close air support, destroying both primary and secondary targets assigned to them. Their precision strikes eliminated two SA-8 Gecko sites, a command headquarters, three drones, a communications center, and numerous ground assets, including six ZU-23-2 units, four UAZ-469 jeeps, four Ural-375 trucks, two T-72B tanks, two GAZ-66 trucks, four infantry units, and two LAZ buses. The Warthogs’ iconic GAU-8 30mm cannon and AGM-65 Maverick missiles proved instrumental in dismantling enemy defenses.
“Red Fang was a true test of our teamwork and combat readiness,” said a Warlock flight lead
JJnine . “From overcoming technical hiccups to neutralizing a tough SAM network, our pilots showed what the v303 FG is capable of.”
The exercise wasn’t without setbacks. Three aircraft—two A-10Cs and one F-16C—were simulated "lost" to early enemy SAM engagements, and one v303FS A-10C returned single-engine after taking ground fire, underscoring the risks of low-altitude operations. Communication congestion between the flights also led to occasional target misidentification, highlighting areas for improvement said Spooky flight lead
Matty8251 .
The NTTR’s diverse terrain, from rugged mountains to vast deserts, provided a realistic backdrop that challenged pilots to adapt to dynamic threats in the Middle East. Lessons learned from the exercise, including the need for refined ingress tactics, enhanced communication protocols, and thorough pre-mission mod verification, will strengthen the group’s readiness for future missions.
“LFE Red Fang pushed our Airmen to their limits, and they delivered,” said a v303 FG spokesperson. “The integration of F-16C SEAD and A-10C close air support showcased the lethal synergy of our forces. We’re proud of their resilience and precision, and we’re taking these lessons forward to ensure mission success wherever we’re called.”
As the v303 Fighter Group analyzes Red Fang’s outcomes, their focus remains on honing tactics and interoperability for their Afghanistan deployment later this year.
For more information, contact v303FG Public affairs on our Discord at: https://www.v303rdfightergroup.com/index.php?link-forums/v303rd-fg-discord.3/
Photo Caption: Numerous photos attached of aircrews from the v303 Fighter Group unleashing HARMS, and Gun runs during LFE Objective Red Fang, June 19, 2025, at the Nevada Test and Training Range.
Published June 21, 2025
v303 Fighter Group Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nevada --
The Nevada skies roared with the power of the v303 Fighter Group during the Large Force Exercise Objective Red Fang, a high-stakes training mission held on June 19, 2025, at the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR). This intensive exercise showcased the skill, coordination, and resilience of the group’s A-10C Thunderbolt II “KC Hawgs” and F-16C Fighting Falcon “Makos” as they tackled simulated enemy air defenses and ground targets, preparing for Afghanistan operations.
LFE Red Fang pitted the v303 FG’s Warlock (v93FS F-16C) and Spooky/Habo (v303FS A-10C) flights against a formidable array of simulated enemy forces, including CH_HQ22 surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, SA-8 Gecko SAMs, ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft artillery, and various ground assets. The mission’s objective was to neutralize enemy air defenses through suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) operations and deliver (STRIKE, AI) precision strikes to support ground forces, testing the group’s ability to operate in a contested environment.
Despite initial challenges, including technical issues with Simple Radio Standalone (SRS) communications and a headset failure that required a last-minute pilot swap, the v303 FG demonstrated exceptional adaptability. Warlock flight, faced complications with a malfunctioning CH_HQ22 mod that disrupted AGM-88 HARM missile guidance. Undeterred, Warlock’s v93FS F16 pilots employed tactical ingenuity, baiting enemy missile launches and using terrain to exhaust SAM reserves. A critical HARM strike by Warlock -3 disabled the CH_HQ22’s tracking radar, paving the way for follow-on attacks.
Spooky flight’s A-10Cs delivered devastating close air support, destroying both primary and secondary targets assigned to them. Their precision strikes eliminated two SA-8 Gecko sites, a command headquarters, three drones, a communications center, and numerous ground assets, including six ZU-23-2 units, four UAZ-469 jeeps, four Ural-375 trucks, two T-72B tanks, two GAZ-66 trucks, four infantry units, and two LAZ buses. The Warthogs’ iconic GAU-8 30mm cannon and AGM-65 Maverick missiles proved instrumental in dismantling enemy defenses.
“Red Fang was a true test of our teamwork and combat readiness,” said a Warlock flight lead
JJnine . “From overcoming technical hiccups to neutralizing a tough SAM network, our pilots showed what the v303 FG is capable of.”The exercise wasn’t without setbacks. Three aircraft—two A-10Cs and one F-16C—were simulated "lost" to early enemy SAM engagements, and one v303FS A-10C returned single-engine after taking ground fire, underscoring the risks of low-altitude operations. Communication congestion between the flights also led to occasional target misidentification, highlighting areas for improvement said Spooky flight lead
Matty8251 .The NTTR’s diverse terrain, from rugged mountains to vast deserts, provided a realistic backdrop that challenged pilots to adapt to dynamic threats in the Middle East. Lessons learned from the exercise, including the need for refined ingress tactics, enhanced communication protocols, and thorough pre-mission mod verification, will strengthen the group’s readiness for future missions.
“LFE Red Fang pushed our Airmen to their limits, and they delivered,” said a v303 FG spokesperson. “The integration of F-16C SEAD and A-10C close air support showcased the lethal synergy of our forces. We’re proud of their resilience and precision, and we’re taking these lessons forward to ensure mission success wherever we’re called.”
As the v303 Fighter Group analyzes Red Fang’s outcomes, their focus remains on honing tactics and interoperability for their Afghanistan deployment later this year.
For more information, contact v303FG Public affairs on our Discord at: https://www.v303rdfightergroup.com/index.php?link-forums/v303rd-fg-discord.3/
Photo Caption: Numerous photos attached of aircrews from the v303 Fighter Group unleashing HARMS, and Gun runs during LFE Objective Red Fang, June 19, 2025, at the Nevada Test and Training Range.
