USAF activates first F-35 aggressor squadron

Yesterday, at Nellis Air Force Base, the USAF’s 65th Aggressor Squadron was reactivated and will be equipped with F-35 Lightning II fighters, which will simulate enemy fifth-generation fighters.

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The mission of the 65th Aggressor Squadron will be to learn about and replicate fifth-generation aerial adversaries to prepare its own and allied pilots for the emergence of Chinese and Russian fifth-generation fighters.

See also: U.S. Marine Corps to activate second aggressor squadron

Air Combat Commander Gen. Mark Kelly flew his F-15E Strike Eagle against the unit’s first assigned F-35A Lightning II, piloted by Lt. Col. Brandon Nauta, immediately prior to the ceremony.

“Due to the growing threat posed by PRC [People’s Republic of China] fifth and sixth-gen fighter development, we must use a portion of our daily fifth-generation aircraft today at Langley, Elmendorf, Hill, Eielson, and now Nellis, to replicate adversary fifth-generation capabilities,” Kelly said. “Precisely because we have this credible threat, when we do replicate a fifth-genration adversary, it must be done professionally. That’s the Aggressors.”

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In 2019, the then-commander of Air Combat Command and the secretary of the Air Force approved the activation to enhance training for fifth-generation fighter tactics development, advanced large force training and operational test support.

The 65th AGRS was previously active at Nellis Air Force Base from 2005 to 2014. During that time, the unit replicated potential adversary tactics and techniques with a fleet of F-15 Eagles. When they were deactivated, the 64th AGRS continued the aggression mission with F-16 Fighting Falcons.

“This significant milestone marks our ability to bring fifth-generation capabilities to the high-end fight, and will allow us to enhance our premier tactics and training with joint, allied and coalition forces,” said Brig. Gen. Michael Drowley, 57th Wing commander.

“Using the F-35 as an aggressor allows pilots to train against low-observable threats similar to what adversaries are developing,” said Col. Scott Mills, 57th Operations Group commander.

For the first time during Red Flag-Nellis 21-3, the 57th Operations Group introduced F-35 aircraft as dedicated aggressors, complementing the F-16 aggressors assigned to the 64th AGRS.

“Working in concert with the 64th Aggressor Squadron, the F-35 aggressors dismantled significant components of the Blue Air game plan and ensured that our combat forces had to work hard for every win,” Mills said.

The F-35s will be used in major Combat Air Forces exercises, U.S. Air Force Weapons School missions, joint exercises and operational test and evaluation events that are only conducted at Nellis Air Force Base and Nevada Test and Training Range.

“Our message to our joint, allied and coalition forces is simple: come to Nellis to fight. The aggressors are ready, and our mission is to ensure you are too,” Mills said.