US Air Force to reactivate aggressor squadron for training
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The U.S. Air Force is reactivating the 65th AggressorSquadron (AS) and moving 11 F-35A Lightning IIs to Nellis Air Force Base,Nevada, as part of a larger initiative to improve training for fifth generationfighter aircraft.
The action came after Gen. Mike Holmes, Air Combat Commandcommander, recommended improving training for fifth generation fighter tacticsdevelopment and close-air support by adding F-35s to complement the fourthgeneration aircraft currently being used.
To support this requirement, the Air Force decided to createa fifth generation aggressor squadron at Nellis AFB and move nine non-combatcapable F-35A aircraft from Eglin AFB, Florida, to the squadron.
“This move will allow us to repurpose early production F-35sto help train airmen for the high end fight,” said Secretary of the Air ForceHeather Wilson.
It also draws from a deep and successful history.
“Aggressor squadrons have been honing the skills of AirForce pilots since the early 1970s,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. DavidL. Goldfein. “They provide a dose of realism in air exercises and theirtraining value is crucial. These F-35 aggressor aircraft will keep us ahead ofadversaries for years to come.”
Aircraft transferring from Eglin AFB to Nellis AFB will notoccur until newly produced aircraft arrive at Eglin AFB to replace them. Newaircraft are planned to arrive at Nellis AFB beginning in early 2022.
The 65th AS, which previously flew F-15 Eagle aircraft, wasinactivated in September 2014.
The Air Force will also assign two F-35A aircraft fromEdwards AFB, California, to Nellis AFB to join the 24th Tactical Air SupportSquadron (TASS). The 24th TASS is an F-16 Fighting Falcon squadron whose primaryfunction is supporting and performing close-air support training. Introducingthe F-35As from Edwards AFB will allow additional training for the F-35As asclose-air support assets.
The reactivation of the aggressor squadron and the additionof aircraft to the tactical air support squadron will add approximately 194additional military personnel and 37 contractors to the base.
As part of the strategic basing process, the Air Forcedetermined Nellis AFB was uniquely suited to support the requirements of thesemissions because it hosts large Combat Air Forces exercises, U.S. Air ForceWeapons School, Weapons Instructor Courses, a test and evaluation squadron, anda close air support integration group.
The Air Force will make its final basing decision following compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and other regulatory and planning processes.
Source: US Air Force
