Vegas Goes Blue: 64th Aggressor Squadron flies training mission using all blue F-16s to symbolize Nellis appreciation for COVID-19 First Responders

The photos in this post feature F-16C Fighting Falcons assigned to the 64th Aggressor Squadron lining up, taxing and taking off from Nellis Air Force Base.

Taken on Apr. 3, 2020 the photos in this post feature F-16C Fighting Falcons assigned to the 64th Aggressor Squadron lining up, taxing and taking off from Nellis Air Force Base (AFB).

As the images show the 64th Aggressor Squadron flew a pre-scheduled training mission using all blue aircraft, symbolizing the base’s appreciation and support for Las Vegas Valley medical professionals, including those at the Mike O’Callaghan Military Medical Center, and first responders who are fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

The unit was activated within the 57th Fighter Weapons Wing on Oct. 15,1972. Initially equipped with T-38A Talons, upgraded in April 1976 with Northrop F-5E Tiger II export fighters having been originally destined for delivery to South Vietnam and became available when the South collapsed.

Since the F-5E had approximately the size and performance characteristics of a Soviet MiG-21, it was used throughout US and overseas to teach adversarial tactics and provide dissimilar air combat training to US Air Force flying units, eventually becoming the 64th Aggressor Squadron.

From October 1972 to June 1990, deployed throughout US and overseas to teach adversarial tactics and provide dissimilar air combat training (DACT) to US Air Force flying units.

The squadron transitioned to the F-16 Fighting Falcon on Apr. 1, 1988 when the F-5Es began having structural problems with the airframes.

The unit was replaced by the 4440th Tactical Fighter Training Group, (Advisory Tactics Division) and assigned to the USAF Weapons School. The squadron was subsequently inactivated on Oct. 5,1990.

The squadron was reactivated on Oct. 3, 2003, again flying the F-16 as an Aggressor Squadron. Today the 64th Aggressor Squadron prepares US, allied, and partner nation aircrews for aerial combat with accurate and realistic threat replication training. They accomplish this as the USAF’s professional adversaries, flying F-16 (64 AGRS) aircraft for Red Flag and Maple Flag exercises, USAF Weapons School syllabus support, priority test mission support and road shows that visit various units throughout the Continental Air Forces (CAF).

Photo credit: Staff Sgt. Tabatha Arellano and Senior Airman Jeremy Wentworth / U.S. Air Force

Source: USAF and Wikipedia