An F-35A Lightning II from the 388th Fighter Wing's 421st Fighter Squadron departs for a training sortie during Red Flag 25-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Feb. 5, 2025. This iteration of Red Flag marks 50 years of high-end training, highlighting the exercise’s enduring legacy of preparing its participants to be combat-ready and mission-effective in the face of evolving threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Micah Garbarino)