16th Weapons Squadron

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	16th Weapons Squadron USAF Weapons School Nellis AFB, Nevada
*The following is an excerpt from The Viper Story, Part II: Test & Training F-16s, available from Reid Air Publications.*


		The United States Air Force Weapons School is arguably the most prestigious flying organization in the United States' military. Located at Nellis AFB, the 16th Weapons Squadron is the largest squadron assigned to the Weapons School, graduating 20 Weapons Instructors each year.

Every six months, a fresh batch of student instructors arrives at Nellis for the Weapons School courses. Upon graduation, they leave Nellis as expert instructors on weapons and weapons systems. They return to their squadrons to serve as weapons and tactics officers, providing fellow pilots with the newest tactics ready for use in combat operations, including the most up-to-date air-air and air-ground techniques.

To become eligible to attend Weapons School, a potential student must be an Instructor Pilot in their squadron and nominated by their Wing Commander. Their record is reviewed by a selection board of Weapons School Instructors, chaired by the Commandant of the school. Students seldom make the cut their first effort and only the top three to five percent of all USAF Instructor Pilots are ultimately selected to attend the course.

Once accepted into the course, the student receives about 280 hours of academics, along with 36 training missions (encompassing 41 flying hours for the Viper) in a simulated combat environment over the enormous Nellis Range Complex. Flying missions build from relatively simple 1 v 1 air-to-air engagements and basic bombing missions to elaborate Large Force Exercises (LFEs) that include all elements of a modern aerial campaign. Adversary aircraft, helicopters, ground forces, and ground-based air defense systems are included in typical Weapons School LFE missions. Many times, aircraft and crew from other bases are invited to participate and supplement the training.

The course culminates in the rigorous Mission Employment (ME) Phase. ME is a "final exam" of sorts, a two-week exercise that allows students to employ the techniques they have learned during the course. The students demonstrate their ability to manage a battle and effectively integrate weapons systems. ME missions are similar in format to Red Flag missions, except emphasis is placed on Weapons School students, as opposed to the goal of training an entire squadron during Red Flag. ME is made up of a series of three-day cycles, which include a planning day, mission day, and debrief day. Students usually fly three or four ME missions prior to graduation.








		Thanks to Lt. Col. Brook "Tank" Leonard, Lt. Col. Chris "Reggie" Hammond, the entire 16th Weapons Squadron, and Nellis Public Affairs for great access to this great squadron.