Indian Air Force (IAF) fighters and pilots are gearing up to face the toughest challenge of their flying skills which will be put to test later this week at the world's most advanced air force exercise at Nellis Base in Nevada, US. Frontline Indian Sukhoi fighters will test their capabilities against US and NATO air forces' F-16s and F-15s in a complex and advanced network centric operations -- the toughest test for flying machines and men -- during the exercise named 'Red Flag' from August 9.

In preparation for the 'Red Flag' exercise, the IAF contingent is at present gearing up at an US Air Force base at Idoho in US, according to an IAF spokesperson here. The contingent has already flown over a 100 sorties in what is called as "a cost-effective deployment" with the team making full use of the training facilities made available, he said. "Crawl, walk and run" is the term used for the format of deployment for systematically increasing pace and scope of the exercise and combat maneuvers during 'Red Flag.'

Among the maneuvers under training by the IAF contingent comprising the mainline Su-30 MKI, IL-78 refuellers and IL-76 heavy lift transport aircraft are the air defense mission, offensive air operations, large force engagements and dynamic targeting.