LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Airmen from the 71st Fighter Squadron returned Nov. 21 from a three-week exercise at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., where they provided weapons systems and adversary role support to pilots in training.
The 71st FS sent 12 F-15C Eagles and 160 Airmen to fly sorties as enemy forces for trainees to engage in simulated combat.
"It's essential that we stay on the leading edge of training and maintain readiness," said Lt. Col. Ed Corcoran, 71st FS commander. "This exercise definitely helped us as much as it helped the students."
The team provided a balance of blue air (friendly forces) and red air (enemy forces) scenarios. Trainees initially worked on similar platforms in one-on-one combat, gradually incorporating additional aircraft until more than 40 jets were in the air simultaneously. In addition to air combat exercises, 71st FS pilots dropped live ordnance while flying at low altitudes.
"We played the aggressive bandit role, attempting to defeat them," said Colonel Corcoran. "We provided the most advanced threat possible to help them become better pilots."
Typically, crews anticipate a 15-percent sortie attrition rate because of common maintenance and weather setbacks. This time, however, the 71st FS had a perfect operational run and exceeded the original number of scheduled sorties.
"We had 220 sorties scheduled and flew 237 sorties, resulting in a 100-percent success rate," said Colonel Corcoran. "
"Our guys really work hard on these exercises," said Colonel Corcoran. "It may look like fun and games, but it takes rigorous work, and our team takes it very seriously."
After long days and several sorties, the squadron commander said he's glad to bring his team back. "The first thing we all want to do is to hug our families and get some rest," he said.
The 71st FS augments the school program in November and February; this months' exercise prepared the students for their Dec. 12 graduation.