SANTA MARIA — Residents in Santa Maria and the surrounding area will be hearing an increase of military aircraft for the next couple days. KSMA learned that this training is called Bamboo Eagle which is coordinated by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center as well as a multi-national military training exercise, being delivered from Nellis AFB in Nevada. The aircraft, pictured to the left, is one of four Typhoon FGR4’s being used in the training mission, in addition to the USAF and aircrafts with the Australian Air Force.
Over 10,000 service members from the U.S. Department of Defense, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Air Force are taking part in this training mission. The goal of this training is to better strengthen among joint and allied forces while honing in on combat readiness, respond quickly to new threats with great speed, flexibility and cooperation while protecting national and allied interests in the most effective manner.
Taking from previous experience, they are utilizing tactical expertise that was exercised in a unit called “Red Flag”. With this, it brings the chance for participants to experience any challenges that might arise from associated mission generation, command and control in any situation in a contested environment.
KSMA was provided a statement from Gp Captain Lefroy, a UK Detachment Commander:
“RED FLAG will focus on UK tactical interoperability and integration with US and Aus 5th gen and cutting edge capabilities against current threats.
Then, at the operational level BAMBOO EAGLE will test our ability to integrate those tactical effects from dispersed forces and under distributed C2, to synchronise air, space and cyber effects with the focus and agility needed to outmatch a near-peer adversary.
And throughout, we will develop our people’s ability to dynamically deliver air power through empowerment, effective risk management and innovation.
Ultimately, our contributions to the C2, mission execution, enablement and protection of these Exs, which involve >150 air systems across >15 locations, will sharpen our individual, Service and collective international capabilities to deliver battle-winning effect and deter potential aggressors.”
–Gp Capt Lefroy, UK Detachment Commander
It’s not just air training during Bamboo Eagle; a team of engineers and ground crews from the Royal Air Force were sent to Santa Maria to train on what is known as “hotpit refueling”. Having Santa Maria Airport closer to where this training mission is taking place, is an advantage for the aircrafts; they’re able to land and refuel with engines still running and quickly return to the training area. This is also an opportunity for crews to be a part of Agile Combat Employment, the ability to work away from their Main Operating Base.
Bamboo Eagle’s training zone is located off the coast of Southern California, Hawaii and over the Pacific Ocean allowing for warfighters to train in an environment that would represent a combat situation. It is anticipated that RAF Typhoons will conduct Agile refueling operations from the Santa Maria Airport from now until Friday. Both Day and Night Missions are expected.
RAF Typhoons from No.6 Squadron currently deployed to Nellis Air Force Base in support of Ex BAMBOO EAGLE. Working alongside our United States and Australian counterparts, BAMBOO EAGLE is an opportunity for the Aircrew to hone their air to air combat tactics and procedures in an accurate, high tempo environment. Photo Courtesy: courtesy of the Royal Air Force -Crown Copyright 2025.
RAF Typhoons from No.6 Squadron currently deployed to Nellis Air Force Base in support of Ex BAMBOO EAGLE. Working along side our United States and Australian counterparts, BAMBOO EAGLE is an opportunity for the Aircrew to hone their air to air combat tactics and procedures in an accurate, high tempo environment. Photo Courtesy: courtesy of the Royal Air Force -Crown Copyright 2025.
