Nov. 30, 2020 “As goes the 53rd Wing, so goes the Air Force” Gen. Mark Kelly, commander of Air Combat Command, and Chief Master Sgt. David Wade, ACC command chief, visited the 53rd Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Nov. 23-24, 2020. Their visit with 53rd Wing Airmen showcased test, evaluation, and mission data reprogramming, highlighting the wing’s drive
Nov. 20, 2020 LFTE 20.03 sets standard for future test events LFTE 20.03 integrated ten weapons systems, including the F-35, F-22, F-15E, F-16, A-10, E/A-18G, HH-60G, EC-130H, KC-46, and KC-135, from the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy on November 17, 2020 to test four Tactics Improvement Proposals, known as TIPs, as well as various high priority tests.
Nov. 12, 2020 53rd WEG hosts simultaneous WSEPs in Florida, Utah The 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group hosted both Weapons System Evaluation Program East and West from November 2-13, 2020. The WSEPs included more than 86 aircraft participating at the two installations in live-fire air-to-air and air-to-ground evaluations.
Nov. 3, 2020 Tyndall brings the heat with Checkered Flag 21-1 Checkered Flag 21-1, a large-scale aerial exercise hosted at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, began Nov. 2 and is scheduled to continue through Nov. 14.
Oct. 26, 2020 WSEP East kicks off FY21 with Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground Evals The first Weapons System Evaluation Program-East of Fiscal Year 2021 provided air-to-air and air-to-ground training and evaluation from October 13-23, 2020.
Oct. 15, 2020 29th TSS provides essential training mission on Robins, across the Nation At nine locations across the country the 29th Training Systems Squadron validates and maintains aircrew training devices, such as flight simulators. At Robins AFB specifically, the 29th TSS’s Operating Location-Bravo is responsible for all the E-8 JSTARS aircrew training devices.
Oct. 5, 2020 WSEP 20.12 provides opportunities for test and training The 83d Fighter Weapons Squadron hosted squadrons from across the country for Weapons System Evaluation Program East 20.12 from September 15-25, 2020 enabling first-time shooter experience for front-line Combat Air Force squadrons while shaping the future fight through integrated operational test
Sept. 29, 2020 MQ-9 Reaper Takes Flight with 8 Hellfire Missiles The 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron conducted the first flight of the MQ-9A Reaper carrying eight live AGM-114 Hellfire missiles on September 10, 2020, reinforcing the platform’s “persistent attack” role. This new capability is part of the MQ-9 Operational Flight Program 2409, a software upgrade
Sept. 10, 2020 ABMS Onramp 2 sees second MQ-9 AIM-9X shot and other CMD tactics development From employing an AIM-9X from an MQ-9 to improving AGR-20 cruise missile defense tactics from the F-16, units across the 53d Wing played a critical role in the Advanced Battle Management System Onramp #2 from August 31 to September 3, 2020. A U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper assigned to the 556th Test
Aug. 27, 2020 28 TES conducts successful tests of BLU-136 bomb The 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron conducted a Force Development Evaluation to operationally test the BLU-136 Next Generation Area Attack Weapon from July 8-24, 2020 at the Nellis Test and Training Range. The fragmentation of the BLU-136 is non-explosive, making it a less-hazardous alternative to