RED FLAG LAS VEGAS FIELD TRIP - MARCH 12-14, 2025
On March 12-14, 2025, John Geldermann is leading a field trip to the Las Vegas Red Flag airplane activities at Nellis AFB, NV. This exercise is expected to run from March 10th to March 21st. They don't work the week-ends. March 12 and 14 are traveling days, but we can meet up for other activities as desired.
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John will be there at 10:30 a.m. on March 13th as the on-site host. We will meet on Las Vegas Blvd adjacent to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway halfway between Gate 6 and Gate 7 (near the "SouthPoint 400" billboard). Look for John's Teal Blue Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Here's the Coordinates (36.270052, -115.003921)
Directions: For those going North on I-15, take Exit 54 (Speedway Blvd/Hollywood Blvd). Turn East (right). Turn Right on Hollywood Blvd. Turn Left on Las Vegas Blvd. Proceed to the meetup point past Gate 6 and halfway to Gate 7. If you are staying near the base, you can set your GPS for the Nellis Main Gate and when you reach Las Vegas Blvd, turn North.
Parking is on the Speedway side of the road. Do not park on the Nellis AFB side of the road. Please note that this whole area is undergoing road construciont, so be prepared for traffic weirdness as you arrive. Carpooling is encouraged since the area will be crawling with photographers. 
Bring food/snacks, drinks, a chair, a long lens (you'll want a minimum of 400 mm of reach). Also bring warm clothes, a hat and sunscreen. Las Vegas temperatures in March are unpredictable. You'll need to drive a couple of miles to take a restroom break. There are some truck stops in the vicinity for breaks and for picking up snacks.
Aircraft typically used during Red Flag include the B-1, B-52, B-2, Tankers, A-10, F-22, F-35, F-15, F16, EA-18G, and more. Be prepared for a full day, especially if you want to photograph the aircraft returning to base.
Rules/Security: Do not go near the base fence line. Stay out of the street.
Hotels: Some of the hotels near the base include the Cannery Casino - Craig Rd., Hampton Inn - Speedway, Best Western, La Quinta, and Comfort Inn. Most of these are on Craig Rd. Of course, there are tons of hotels on the Strip and in Downton-Fremont St.
Resources:
SpotterGuide - Nellis AFB
Dreamland Resort website:https://www.dreamlandresort.com/info/flags.html
