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reconnaissance integration. In 2006, the F-117 Weapons
Instructor Course deactivated and the merger with the Mobility Weapons School added the C-130, KC-135, and C-17 Weapons Instructor Courses. In 2008, the F-22 joined the Weapons School and in 2009, the ICBM Weapons Instructor Course was added. In 2012, the Cyber Warfare Operations Weapons Instructor Course was founded and joined the space squadron. In 2019, the Weapons School added the U-2 Weapons Instructor Course. In 2020, the Weapons School added the Control Reporting Center Instructor Course under the 8th WPS which had previously been an Advanced Instructor Course for enlisted ground based controllers.
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and B-1 Divisions that year. Rescue helicopters joined the school with the HH-60 Division in 1995 while the F-111 retired. That year also saw the addition of RC-135 RIVET JOINT and EC-130 COMPASS CALL courses to the CCO Division. To increase the graduate-level understanding of space and air integration for operators, the school added the Space
Division in 1996.
445:, the Fighter Weapons School began to have an impact across the larger Air Force. Many of the air-to-ground and air-to-air innovations of this period can be traced to the Weapons School. Assigned aircraft continued to change in concert with Air Force inventories. The Weapons School deactivated the F-100 and F-105 courses, and added the
527:
1985, ending 20 years of F-4 weapons officer training. The Air
Weapons Controller Division, later known as the Command and Control Operations (CCO) Division activated as a separate unit in 1987. The school gained a Fighter Intelligence Officers Course in 1988 which became the graduate patch-awarding Intelligence Division in 1990. The
521:
The 1980s ushered in a time of significant change for the
Weapons School. In 1981, the school underwent a complete reorganization as the squadrons became divisions. The Aggressor squadrons transferred to the 57th Fighter Weapons Wing. The F-111 Division became a geographically separated detachment of
526:
Division graduated its first students in 1982. In 1984 the
Weapons School expanded its courses beyond the traditional fighter aircrew, adding a course to train weapons controllers in the F-15 Division. A passing of the torch to the current Weapons School occurred when the last F-4 class graduated in
266:
The
Weapons School accomplishes its mission by providing graduate-level, instructor academic and flying courses to USAF Combat Air Forces (CAF) and Mobility Air Forces (MAF). It conducts extensive technical off-station training and is a liaison with CAF and MAF units. It publishes the quarterly USAF
964:
The
Weapons School Special Operations Forces (SOF) Division first activated as Detachment 1, AFSOC/DO on 15 March 2000 at Hurlburt Field, Florida. The unit designation was changed to Detachment 1, 16th Operations Group on 10 August 2000 to align it with the group charged with providing aircraft and
539:
With the stand-up of Air Combat
Command in 1992, the school embarked on a dramatic shift from its 43-year focus exclusively on fighter aviation, dropping the "fighter" from its title and becoming the "Air Force Weapons School." The change was much more than symbolic with the activation of the B-52
786:
Activated in 2012, the Cyber
Warfare Operations Weapons Instructor Course started under the 328th Weapons Squadron. In 2018, the Cyber course separated from the 328th Weapons Squadron. Graduates are experts in offensive and defensive cyber warfare and integrating cyber into USAF weapons systems.
556:
Divisions. SOF added an MC-130 course that year as well. In 2003, all of the
Weapons School divisions were re-designated (or initially activated) as squadrons, and the Intelligence Sensor Weapons Instructor Course was added to provide graduate-level training in intelligence, surveillance, and
509:
were stood-up as part of the Weapons School in the early 1970s to improve air-to-air skills by providing accurate threat replication for dissimilar air combat training. The A-7D tenure in the school was a brief 3 years as the squadron transitioned from A-7s to F-5 Aggressors in 1975. Fighter
900:
Originally activated in 1981 as the 433rd Fighter Weapons Squadron. Became Weapons School F-15C Division when the USAF Fighter Weapons School redesignated each of its squadrons as "Divisions" in 1981. First F-22A received July 2010. The last F-15C class graduated in December 2021.
865:
Non-flying organization. Originally the 4315th Combat Crew Training Squadron. ICBM WIC originally was in 328th Weapons Squadron. ICBM WIC underwent validation Jan – Jun 2010 (Class 10A), and the first class started in Jul 2010 (10B).
198:
The mission of the USAF Weapons School is to teach graduate-level instructor courses, which provide advanced training in weapons and tactics employment to officers of the combat air forces. The USAF Weapons School is headquartered at
753:
Activated in 1988 as the Fighter Intelligence Officer Course; became the Weapons School Intelligence Division in 1990. Graduates now include intelligence officers, as well as pilots of high-altitude ISR aircraft.
547:
to the CCO Division. Special Operations Forces (SOF) also became part of the Weapons School in 2000,developing courses for the MH-53 and AC-130 and Stealth joined the school in 2002 with the addition of the
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On 3 February 2003, the divisions of the USAF Weapons School formally became squadrons. Each of the new squadrons received the designation of a previously highly decorated notable inactivated unit.
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With a growing need for weapons officers skilled at integrating all aspects of air and space power, the Weapons School has continued to expand. 2000 saw the addition of the
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Today's Weapons School encompasses 21 squadrons, teaching 24 combat specialties at 9 locations. Only 30% of today's students come from the classic fighter specialties.
409:. In January 1954, the school assumed the mission of training fighter instructors, and took on the title, "USAF Fighter Weapons School." Students at Nellis trained in
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Originally was the Weapons School HH-60G Division. Had its beginning with the establishment of the USAF Combat Rescue School at Nellis AFB in 1993.
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combat veterans dedicated to teaching the next generation of pilots. The Gunnery School converted to combat crew training to meet the needs of the
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The Weapons School's squadrons include the Weapons Instructor Courses for the following aircraft and systems:
847:. When the Fighter Weapons School reorganized in 1981, the 66th FWS was redesignated as the A- 10 Division.
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Non-flying organization. Originally was the Weapons School Support Division was activated on 1 October 1997
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Strategic Bombardment training. Initially activated as the Weapons School B-52 Division on 1 October 1989.
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Tactical bombardment training. Initially activated as the Weapons School B-1 Division on 28 August 1992.
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Non-flying organization. Originally was the Weapons School Space Division was activated in July 1996.
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Utilizes CAF Aircraft. Originally was the Air Weapons Controller Division, activated on 21 June 1984
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Strategic airlift training. Was incorporated from the USAF Mobility Weapons School, 5 July 2006.
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Tactical airlift training. Was incorporated from the USAF Mobility Weapons School, 5 July 2006.
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Aerial refueling training. Was incorporated from the USAF Mobility Weapons School, 5 July 2006.
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The USAF Weapons School traces its roots to the Aircraft Gunnery School established in 1949 at
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1065:(13 August 2003 – 9 September 2005) Initially activated as the B-2 Division in May 2002
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Initially was the 66th Fighter Weapons Squadron on 15 October 1969 equipped with
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Weapons Review with worldwide readership. All positions are selectively manned.
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F-22A Raptor assigned to the USAF Weapons School's 433d Weapons Squadron
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equivalent, delivering the Qualified Weapons Instructor (QWI) courses.)
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Previously was the 561st Joint Tactics Squadron assigned to 57th Wing.
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1177:(USN/USMC equivalent, delivering Naval Air Weapons Courses, including
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to its courses. As the roles of fighter aircraft expanded during the
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were left as the two primary aircraft flown at the Weapons School.
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In 2015 the 26th Weapons Squadron stopped flying the Predator.
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1225:"New weapons instructor course trains experts to ready troops"
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Originally was the F-16 Division, established 1 October 1980
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F-16 Division F-16C 86–0251 in experimental "Aggressor" motif
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Originally was the F-15E Division, established 8 July 1991
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aircraft during this period. By 1960, the F-100 and the
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57th Fighter Weapons (later, 57th Fighter; 57th) Wing
581:Discontinued, and inactivated, on 1 September 1966
522:the Nellis-based Weapons School. The newly formed
1273:article about USAF Fighter Weapons School in 1957
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611:4520 Combat Crew Training Wing, 1 Jan-1 Sep 1966
1164:, NV, 1 Jan – 1 Sep 1966; 30 Dec 1981 – present
386:USAF Fighter Weapons School F-16 flying with a
437:In 1965, the Fighter Weapons School added the
1061:Advanced stealth bomber training. Replaced
531:Division became part of the school in 1991.
150:U.S. Air Force Weapons School Graduate Patch
965:personnel who would help build the course.
139:Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
518:into Weapons School operations in 1977.
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1265:United States Air Force Weapons School
961:Special Operations Aircraft (Various)
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1211:Air Force Historical Research Agency
573:, and activated, on 30 December 1965
103:Space Training and Readiness Command
1306:Staff colleges of the United States
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393:over the Nevada desert, about 1986
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1205: This article incorporates
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837:Joint Terminal Attack Controller
331:Joint Terminal Attack Controller
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129:Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
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510:modernization brought both the
489:Aggressor Division F-5E 74-1572
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923:Geographically separated units
810:57th Weapons Support Squadron
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1151:, B-2, Whiteman AFB, Missouri
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586:Activated on 30 December 1981
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24:U.S. Air Force Weapons School
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1271:Air & Space Smithsonian
1248:Nellis 57th Wing Fact Sheet
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578:Organized on 1 January 1966
571:USAF Fighter Weapons School
501:The Aggressors, flying the
473:A-10 Division A-10A 79-0172
465:F-15 Division F-15C 82-0038
16:US military training center
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1131:F-111 Division (1972–1992)
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691:/Control Reporting Center
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221:Little Rock Air Force Base
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1253:AFHRA USAF Weapons School
1125:A-7D Division (1972–1981)
783:Cyber Warfare Operations
481:F-4 Division F-4D 66-8700
176:United States Space Force
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81:United States Space Force
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421:and all versions of the
399:Las Vegas Air Force Base
304:Control Reporting Center
257:Barksdale Air Force Base
245:Fairchild Air Force Base
365:, Intelligence, Space,
237:Holloman Air Force Base
229:Whiteman Air Force Base
172:United States Air Force
69:United States Air Force
1207:public domain material
1149:715th Weapons Squadron
1135:417th Weapons Squadron
1095:509th Weapons Squadron
1071:340th Weapons Squadron
1063:715th Weapons Squadron
1043:325th Weapons Squadron
907:561st Weapons Squadron
872:328th Weapons Squadron
853:315th Weapons Squadron
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369:, Cyber, and Support.
343:HC-130J Combat King II
1229:Nellis Air Force Base
1019:77th Weapons Squadron
995:57th Weapons Squadron
971:29th Weapons Squadron
948:14th Weapons Squadron
888:433d Weapons Squadron
825:66th Weapons Squadron
793:34th Weapons Squadron
777:32d Weapons Squadron
760:26th Weapons Squadron
736:19th Weapons Squadron
718:17th Weapons Squadron
700:16th Weapons Squadron
617:, 30 Dec 1981–present
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201:Nellis Air Force Base
113:Nellis Air Force Base
1009:C-17 Globemaster III
708:F-16 Fighting Falcon
669:8th Weapons Squadron
652:6th Weapons Squadron
606:Tactical Air Command
524:F-16 Fighting Falcon
457:Post–Vietnam War era
319:F-16 Fighting Falcon
307:EC-130H Compass Call
296:C-17 Globemaster III
209:Dyess Air Force Base
207:with detachments at
186:. It is located at
1109:KC-135 Stratotanker
1085:B-52 Stratofortress
833:A-10 Thunderbolt II
593:USAF Weapons School
512:A-10 Thunderbolt II
351:KC-135 Stratotanker
292:B-52 Stratofortress
276:A-10 Thunderbolt II
168:USAF Weapons School
1301:Military in Nevada
1279:(or archived copy)
879:Space Superiority
764:30 September 2008
726:F-15E Strike Eagle
685:RC-135 RIVET JOINT
630:Nellis-based units
608:, 30 December 1965
529:F-15E Strike Eagle
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415:F-80 Shooting Star
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359:RC-135 Rivet Joint
315:F-15E Strike Eagle
272:Air Battle Manager
255:, Washington, and
178:, assigned to the
99:Air Combat Command
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1053:9 September 2005
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423:F-100 Super Sabre
327:F-35 Lightning II
170:is a unit of the
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816:Mission Support
813:3 February 2003
797:3 February 2003
749:RQ-4 Global Hawk
740:3 February 2003
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1139:F-117 Nighthawk
976:Little Rock AFB
939:Weapons System
936:Date activated
801:HH-60 Pave Hawk
745:U-2 Dragon Lady
643:Weapons System
640:Date activated
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569:Constituted as
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1232:. Retrieved
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1145:, New Mexico
1143:Holloman AFB
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1105:1 June 2003
1078:, Louisiana
1048:Whiteman AFB
1005:1 June 2003
981:1 June 2003
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896:F-22A Raptor
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689:COMPASS CALL
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44:1949–present
18:
1234:13 February
1050:, Missouri
1000:McChord AFB
978:, Arkansas
677:E-8C JSTARS
600:Assignments
443:Vietnam War
433:Vietnam era
339:MQ-9 Reaper
311:F-15C Eagle
219:, Florida,
119:Decorations
109:Garrison/HQ
1290:Categories
1196:References
1162:Nellis AFB
1057:B-2 Spirit
1033:B-1 Lancer
955:, Florida
622:Components
545:E-8 JSTARS
535:Modern era
516:F-15 Eagle
503:T-38 Talon
407:Korean War
288:B-2 Spirit
284:B-1 Lancer
249:Washington
241:New Mexico
190:, Nevada.
188:Nellis AFB
1024:Dyess AFB
930:Squadron
637:Squadron
261:Louisiana
180:57th Wing
1169:See also
1156:Stations
1026:, Texas
933:Station
514:and the
233:Missouri
225:Arkansas
145:Insignia
839:(JTAC)
564:Lineage
378:Origins
373:History
194:Mission
49:Country
1276:
1179:TOPGUN
942:Notes
646:Notes
391:MiG-21
355:MC-130
205:Nevada
78:
66:
57:Branch
41:Active
1175:NAWDC
550:F-117
447:F-111
213:Texas
1236:2021
1187:(UK
1185:ASWC
768:MQ-9
660:F-35
552:and
505:and
449:and
367:ICBM
182:and
174:and
166:The
87:Type
681:E-3
554:B-2
203:in
1292::
1227:.
1141:,
1137:,
747:,
453:.
417:,
413:,
361:,
357:,
353:,
349:,
345:,
341:,
337:,
333:,
329:,
325:,
321:,
317:,
313:,
309:,
302:,
298:,
294:,
290:,
286:,
282:,
278:,
274:,
263:.
259:,
251:,
247:,
243:,
239:,
235:,
231:,
227:,
223:,
215:,
211:,
1238:.
1181:)
687:/
683:/
679:/
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