Exercise Red Flag is an intense aerial combat training exercise that takes places in the skies above Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada and Area 51. Known as the most realistic aerial war games, Red Flag invite pilots from around the world to drop live ammunition and conduct high-speed operations in the dead of night.

If you are stuck on the ground during these drills, the normally calm desert becomes awash with color and sound. Eric Bowen of The Aviationist captured the brilliance of Red Flag’s combat aircraft streaking across the sky in a multitude of bright colors and patterns in this timelapse video.