Simulated War
Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag
Review by Ross Anthony

Loosely following a young American Air Force pilot from his young boy dreams to a new career in the Air Force, the film documents the world's most intense air-training event: OPERATION RED FLAG. According to the production, pilots say RED FLAG exercises are more challenging and more dangerous than actual combat.

Fighter planes and pilots from multiple countries join Americans to simulate real dogfights, real missions, real combat above the canyons in America's southwest.

Airplane's roll and dodge, cameras mounted inside and outside; most of the action is interesting, relaxing up in the sky, some is very cool. Capturing two planes at 600-mph roll and dodge is admittedly a daunting task, but I could have used more of that and less landings, less of our dashing young pilot head-on in his craft looking around for the "bad guy" on his tail.

The film flies the fine line between edutainment and propaganda for the Air Force. Our star fighter esteems his grandfather who flew and fought in WWII. In narration, he strives to tame the "glory" of fighting with respect for the enemy and quell the swell of ego with the rewards of working as a team. Either way, overall, "Fighter Pilot" successfully educates as it entertains.

I particularly enjoyed the "mission control" aircraft, stocked with computers and operators keeping track of the various squadrons. Serving as an airborne controller station, everybody looks to them to keep soaring jets from smashing right into each other.


  • Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag. Copyright © 2004.
  • Directed by Stephen Low.
  • Produced by Stephen Low, Pietro Serapiglia at Low/K2.

Grade..........................B+ (2.5/4)

Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.

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Last Modified: Saturday, 16-Sep-2006 08:10:55 PDT