The USAF Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Nev., is increasingly using Air National Guard fighter rotations to provide aggressor support and is looking to formalize a more permanent relationship. Since Nellis inactivated its F-15 aggressor squadron last September, the school has faced a perennial shortage. “Over the last six months, we have asked the Guard to provide even more support in the adversary role. It’s something that we need, due to a reduced number of Active Duty assets,” school Deputy Commandant Lt. Col. Jon Berardinelli, said in a release. “A formal arrangement is going to take a collaborative effort and commitments across all major commands and the National Guard Bureau—all for the greater good,” he said. Nellis signed a long-term deal for contracted “red air” from Draken International back in September. Massachusetts ANG F-15C/Ds and some 114 pilots, maintainers, and support personnel from the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes ANGB, Mass., deployed to Nellis to support the most recent two-week training phase, according to the release.
The last remaining T-1 Jayhawk at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, took its final flight to the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on July 15. The 99th Flying Training Squadron will train pilots using T-6 and simulator until it gets T-7 Red Hawk in fiscal 2026.