![Exhaust from planes obscure the Stratosphere Tower as they leave to participate in the Red Flag air combat exercise Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2002 at Nellis Air Force Base. Red Flag is a two-week aerial war simulation exercise with more than 100 aircrafts from six countries participating. Nellis hosts four Red Flag exercises throughout the year.](http://media.lasvegassun.com/media/img/photos/2008/05/08/scaled.nellisstrat_t653.jpg?214bc4f9d9bd7c08c7d0f6599bb3328710e01e7b)
AARON MAYES / Las Vegas Sun / Sun File Photo
Exhaust from planes obscure the Stratosphere Tower as they leave to participate in the Red Flag air combat exercise Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2002 at Nellis Air Force Base. Red Flag is a two-week aerial war simulation exercise with more than 100 aircrafts from six countries participating. Nellis hosts four Red Flag exercises throughout the year.