Combat Archer: Fighter jets, missile systems

by Senior Airman Christopher Reel
325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

2/28/2013 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, a tenant organization, is assigned to Tyndall Air Force Base and falls under the 53rd Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla.

The 53rd WEG recently conducted the air-to-air Weapons System Evaluation Program, known as Combat Archer, which exercises and evaluates the air-to-air weapon system capability of combat aircraft.

The 53rd WEG's 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron hosts approximately 38 air-to-air WSEP deployments annually, according to their factsheet. Squadron personnel verify weapon system performance, determine reliability, evaluate capability and limitations, identify deficiencies, recommend corrective action, and maintain combat Air Force-wide data. The squadron additionally investigates missile envelopes and evaluates capabilities and limitations to determine future firing requirements. They provide liaison support for pre-deployment, employment, and redeployment of Air Combat Command, U.S. Air Forces Europe, Pacific Air Forces, Air National Guard, U.S. Air Force Reserve and Canadian Forces participating in WSEP and Weapons Instructor Course missile firing programs.

The group's 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron at Tyndall and Holloman AFB, N.M., operates the Defense Department's only full-scale aerial target program, maintaining an inventory of approximately 50 modified QF-4 Phantom II aircraft for this purpose. It also provides BQM-34 and BQM-167 subscale aerial targets to Gulf range customers at Tyndall. Full and subscale aerial targets are provided to Air Force, U.S. Navy and U.S. Army customers for developmental and operational tests. The squadron also provides target support for WSEP.