USAF Weapons School
Overview
The United States Air Force Weapons School (USAFWS) is a unit of the United States Air Force (USAF) that provides advanced-level weapons and tactics training for officers in the combat air forces. The school is located at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada and is a part of the Air Combat Command (ACC). The USAFWS is often compared to the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School, also known as TOPGUN, due to its similar focus on advanced air combat training.
History
The USAFWS was established in 1954 as the Fighter Weapons School at Nellis AFB. The school was initially focused on training fighter pilots in air-to-air combat during the Cold War. Over time, the school expanded its curriculum to include other types of aircraft and weapons systems, and in 1981, it was renamed the USAF Weapons School.
Mission and Training
The mission of the USAFWS is to train officers in the application of advanced weapons and tactics in air, space, and cyberspace domains. The school offers a rigorous six-month course that covers a broad range of topics, including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground combat, electronic warfare, space warfare, and cyber warfare. The course culminates in a final exercise known as the "Mission Employment Phase," where students must plan and execute a complex air operation.
Organization
The USAFWS is organized into several squadrons, each responsible for a specific type of aircraft or weapon system. These include the F-15C Eagle, F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, B-1B Lancer, B-2 Spirit, B-52 Stratofortress, A-10 Thunderbolt II, MQ-9 Reaper, and others. Each squadron is led by a commander who is a graduate of the school.
Notable Alumni
Many graduates of the USAFWS have gone on to distinguished careers in the USAF and other branches of the U.S. military. These include numerous general officers, test pilots, and astronauts.