A US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot assigned to the 18th Aggressor Squadron takes off during the Red Flag-Alaska 12-3 exercise at Eielson AFB, Alaska, on 6 August 2012. Red Flag-Alaska is a series of Pacific Air Forces commander-directed field training exercises for US and partner nation forces, providing combined offensive counterair, interdiction, close air support, and large force employment training in a realistic simulated combat environment.