Last Warthog Clears Nellis Air Force Base Runway

Sept. 23, 2026 | By Air Force Staff Sgt. Kristal Munguia, Nellis Air Force Base |

The last A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, made its final departure yesterday. 

Nearly 70 airmen assigned to Nellis Air Force Base lined up on the flight line to give the A-10, affectionately nicknamed the "Warthog," one final salute as it took off. 

Although the departure signifies the conclusion of nearly 50 years of elite tactical training, operational testing and maintenance sustainability at the installation, the A-10's impact will not soon be forgotten. 

The first attack jet arrived at the base in 1977. Over the past five decades, the installation served as the primary proving ground for the Warthog's tactical employment. Nellis-based units refined the aircraft's software, avionics and precision weapons, while the U.S. Air Force Weapons School's 66th Weapons Squadron trained more than 300 A-10 weapons officers across 100 classes. 

"We are maintaining the culture of the A-10 by involving as many other fighter communities involved in the close air support mission," said Air Force Lt. Col. Ridge Flick, 66th Weapons Squadron commander. "We are also training F-15 Eagle, F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots to take on some roles we have had in combat search and rescue." 

As the aircraft departs, Flick emphasized that the squadron's mission to forge elite tactical leaders remains unchanged. The unit will continue training the next generation of ground-based specialists, including combat rescue officers, pararescue, special tactics officers and combat controllers. 

As the Air Force retires the A-10 fleet, the military's close air support capability is not declining. Instead, foundational tactical expertise, operational roles and personnel are transitioning to multirole and advanced fighter platforms across the service. 

Airmen assigned to the 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's Thunder Aircraft Maintenance Unit are being reassigned to other squadrons and airframes, such as the F-35 and the F-16. The discipline that A-10 maintainers developed over 50 years of managing airframe fatigue, wing replacements and depot-level overhauls is being integrated into those newer flight line programs. 

At the same time, fifth-generation platforms like the F-35 are absorbing new close air support and combat search-and-rescue command roles into their operational profiles. The platform combines stealth features, advanced sensor suites and secure data-sharing networks to conduct precision ground-support missions in contested environments. For maintainers making the shift, the transition carries both operational and personal significance. 

"Working on the A-10 is meaningful to me because that is something that I share with my grandfather," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Eva Kehn, a weapons load crew chief assigned to the 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. "I'm very excited to have that new chapter and bond over that again with my grandfather." 

With her reassignment to an F-35 unit at Nellis, that unique family connection will continue. Her grandfather now serves as a civilian F-35 instructor, meaning their shared professional bond will transition to a new airframe. 

"It's a bittersweet moment," said Air Force Master Sgt. Aaron Edmonds, an aircraft section chief assigned to the 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. "I enjoyed my time with the A-10, but I'm excited because this departure marks the closing of one chapter and the start of another."

Defense Secretary Ash Carter visits Nellis

by Staff Sgt. Jack Sanders
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

9/3/2015 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Defense Secretary (Dr.) Ash Carter visited the base Aug. 26 to observe Red Flag 15-4 operations and speak to Airmen and coalition partners about the future of the force and innovation.

While at Nellis Air Force Base, the secretary visited the 414th Combat Training Squadron, toured the Combined Air Operations Center, visited the Strike Aircraft Maintenance Unit to see F-15E Strike Eagle maintenance Airmen at work, and held an all-call at the Lightning AMU hangar.

"It was a huge honor for us at Strike AMU that he would take the time out of his day to invest such a personal interest in us," said Capt. Christopher Bright 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Strike AMU officer in charge. "He seemed like someone who generally cares."

During the secretary's visit he actively sought out Airmen and had them explain to him their role in the squadron.

"Every time I come here I'm so impressed," Carter said. "I'm impressed by how realistic the training that is done here is."

Red Flag, one of the most advanced training programs in the world, is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies, is coordinated at Nellis AFB and conducted on the vast bombing and gunnery ranges of the Nevada Test and Training Range.

The secretary said as a country, America's military is in a period of transitioning to a full-spectrum defense against less traditional enemies.

"We need to look ahead to a full spectrum of threats," Carter said.

Before departing, he emphasized that training -- like what happens on Nellis AFB -- is what moves the U.S. forward and away from a narrower mindset.

"You here at Nellis AFB are at the center of America's military transition to full spectrum," Carter said. "The new technology like the F-35 and all the other stuff like, space, cyber, electronic warfare, and all the other technology represented here is an ingredient of that transition, but the most important ingredient to it is you.

"All of this doesn't matter without you, without skilled people who know how to operate, who know how to maintain, and who know how to imagine future operations. Without you the technology doesn't get us anywhere. At the end of the day the most important ingredient in the finest fighting force the world has ever known is you."

40 years of Red Flag ends on high note

by Airman 1st Class Jake Carter
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

8/31/2015 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev.  -- From its inception in 1975, Red Flag exercises have tested military members' combat capabilities in air, space and cyberspace. Red Flag 15-4, which concluded here Aug.28, will close out the 40th anniversary of Red Flag.

Col. Jeffrey Weed, 414th Combat Training Squadron commander, expressed his enthusiasm for the cohesion created between foreign allies and the U.S.

"I'm really impressed with the integration of foreign countries (for Red Flag 15-4)," Weed said. "There is tremendous integration on their part when they come," Weed said. "Also, this is the second time we've had Virtual Flag as part of Red Flag as well."

Weed was also impressed with what U.S. forces were able to accomplish together during the exercise.

"Working with foreign countries has been a collective partnership," Weed said. "There has also been great training with our sister service Marine and Navy members. We had ground forces stay out in the field for the entire exercise and have had the broadest jamming capabilities from the Navy ever."

Joel Reed, a graphics artist assigned to the 414th CTS, has noticed the change in Red Flag and integration since the very beginning of Red Flag in 1975 when he was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base as a uniformed Airman, and from 1992 when he became a civilian employee at the 414th CTS.

"The scope of the training for integrating has exploded," Reed said. "The training use to be fighter-oriented but now it encompasses all of the Air Force domains. The feedback from past participants has been outstanding and one pilot who went on a deployment said he would have been lost without the Red Flag training but with it, it had made integrating with other countries a breeze."

With Red Flag training Airmen and other individuals in the air, space and cyberspace domain, every Red Flag exercise brings in players that are new to the exercise.

"Some of the differences from Red Flag are the different set of partners that we have come out each time," Weed said. "For every Red Flag, we usually have a quarter or a third amount of people who are new players and there might have been even more than that for Red Flag 15-4."

During Red Flag exercises, it is common to see foreign counterparts participating in the exercise, but with the 2016 Red Flags, countries who haven't been to Red Flag in quite some time will make an appearance.

"For next year, Red Flag will be similar to this year with four exercises occurring," Weed said. "For the second and fourth Red Flag, we will be including foreign players which include the United Kingdom, Australia, Turkey, Italy, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, and Spain."

With integrating being a large part of Red Flag exercises, Weed noticed that learning and teamwork is what can make a Red Flag exercise successful.

"Learning is one of the biggest things you notice when Red Flag is over," Weed said. "With the U.S. and foreign countries, the biggest thing is learning or teamwork."

With Weed retiring in the near future, he has complete confidence in his successor that he will be able to keep the mission going effectively.

"Red Flag 15-4 will be my last Red Flag," Weed said. "A good friend of mine, Col. Greg Marzolf,  Colorado State University Detachment 90, Air Force ROTC training program commander, will be the new Red Flag commander, but this will be his fourth tour at Nellis and I believe he will do great."

Continuing evolution: 75 years of Nellis History

by Airman 1st Class Jake Carter
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

8/14/2015 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev.  -- Closing in on its 75th anniversary, Nellis Air Force Base has stood the test of time. Although the Las Vegas Army Air Field opened in 1941, the base's roots can be traced back to a little over a decade earlier when a new airfield opened in the barren desert of Las Vegas.

Pop Simon, a local fuel distributor and entrepreneur, opened Las Vegas Airport in 1929, which was located eight miles northwest of downtown Las Vegas. In 1932, the airfield was purchased by Western Air Express, which carried passengers in between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City.

The U.S. Army surveyed the field in 1940 for use as the Army Air Forces Flexible Gunnery School because of the good flying weather throughout the year, the available access to vacant land for gunnery ranges, as well as being a good distance away from the Pacific Ocean's coastline.

After the survey was completed, the city of Las Vegas purchased the airfield on Jan. 2, 1941 for $10. The U.S. Army leased the airfield three days later.

In October 1941, the airfield was dedicated as the Las Vegas Army Air Field.

Starting in 1942, gunnery training at Las Vegas Army Air Field commenced with student gunners progressing from skeet shooting from atop moving vehicles to mobile sperry ball turrets and stationary top turrets for the B-17 Flying Fortress and, by 1945, for the B-29 Superfortress.

The training produced approximately 55,000 B-17 and 3,500 B-25 Mitchell gunners for World War II.

From July to August 1942, a training film called "The Rear Gunner" which starred Ronald Reagan and Burgess Meredith, was produced at Las Vegas Army Air Field to generate volunteers as military flying was an exclusively volunteer business.

Operations at the base wound down after World War II came to an end which ultimately put the base in stand-by status in December 1946. The base re-opened in January 1949 for advanced pilot training with the first gunnery meet and the opening of the Aircraft Gunnery School in May 1949.

On May 1, 1950, Las Vegas Army Air Field was officially renamed Nellis Air Force Base, after the late 1st Lt. William Nellis, who was shot down while flying during the Battle of the Bulge.

Many of the Korean War aces trained at Nellis AFB or served as instructors after their combat tours.

Later in 1950, Nellis AFB opened its first base chapel and a movie theatre, which provided Airmen an escape from the base's mission during their off-duty time.

In 1956, the 3595th Air Demonstration Flight was assigned to Nellis AFB, which today is known as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds.

In 1965, Nellis AFB opened the U.S. Air Force Medical Facility, which was classed as a 50-bed hospital that could care for 9,000 military personnel and their dependents, and an additional 3,000 retired military personnel.

In 1991, the Tactics Weapons Center was redesignated as the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons Center and was changed to the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center in October 2005.

Today, Nellis AFB hosts many operations, which include Red and Green Flag, and the U.S. Air Force Weapons School -- all of which contribute to the base's mission of "Testing, Training and Tactics."

To Gerald White, 99th Air Base Wing historian, the history of Nellis AFB has fascinated him since the day he arrived in 2009.

"I didn't know a lot about fighter aircraft with my background in air mobility, but I also didn't know a lot about training and the history in Las Vegas because I had only been here once as a tourist," White said. "I learned how Las Vegas was selected for the mission after it was re-opened after World War II because of its location as well as the development of fighter and their weapons and how the base supported operations in North Korea and Vietnam."

Daniel Wheaton, 57th Wing historian, also is amazed at how large the mission at Nellis AFB has become.

"The big thing I've learned about Nellis AFB is the amazing mission of the 57th Wing that occurs here," Wheaton said.  "This wing has many missions not found anywhere else in the world; the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, the Aggressors, the Thunderbirds, the 561st Joint Tactics Squadron, the U.S. Air Force Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Operations School, the many exercises under the 57th Operations Group including Red Flag and Green Flag-East and -West, and the many airframe types utilized by and maintained by wing units.

"Every Airman in these units plays a significant role in these missions, and these missions play a vital role in influencing the success of the U.S. Air Force all over the world.  It is quite amazing when you think about it."

There is a never ending learning process about the history of Las Vegas, Nellis AFB and the missions that go on during a daily basis, but White has noticed that the city and the base have coincided and have grown up together.

"In January, it will be the 75th anniversary of the lease of the base," White said. "So basically there has been an Air Force presence in the city of Las Vegas for the last 75 years and the town has grown up with the Air Force growing up with it."

Eye in the sky, RPA Airmen in the Red Flag fight

by By Tech. Sgt. Nadine Barclay
432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

8/3/2015 - CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nevada -- The sun beats down on the dry Nevada desert bringing a smell of fuel that fills the air. Engines begin roaring to life as the Airmen of the 432nd Wing prepare to support Red Flag 15-3 from July 13-31, 2015.

Located approximately an hour from Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, where participants eat, sleep and breathe Red Flag operations the Airmen of Creech didn't let the distance hinder their opportunity to show the rest of the Air Force community and the world what remotely piloted aircraft can bring to the fight.

"I feel this type of training is important because of the immense integration that occurs with other Air Force assets," said Capt. Benjamin, 18th Reconnaissance Squadron MQ-1 Predator pilot. "We can go out on one of the greatest ranges in the world and play against ourselves. Having the ability to train with other assets is good; it's the key to what makes Red Flag so great."

The main mission of Red Flag is to provide a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies. It is coordinated at Nellis AFB, Nevada, and conducted on the vast bombing and gunnery ranges of the Nevada Test and Training Range. The exercise is part of a series of advanced training programs administered by the United States Air Force Warfare Center and Nellis and executed through the 414th Combat Training Squadron.

"There was definitely a learning curve in the beginning, but we really added value to the scenarios as the exercise progressed," said Maj. Johnny, 18th RS Red Flag Detachment commander. "During the first week we had to spend a lot of time carving out a role for ourselves, as the majority of the players were unfamiliar with what we could do and how we employ. As the exercise progressed, you could see the mission commanders start to utilize us in a larger role. "

This isn't the first time the RPAs have participated in the Red Flag exercise. However, Airmen noticed a change in how they met their goal of fully integrating RPAs into large force exercises (LFEs), which is to educate and familiarize other major weapon systems (MWS) communities on the RPA capabilities.

The MQ-1 Predator was among other elite aircraft participating in the Red Flag exercise to include: B-52 Stratofortresses, KC-135 Stratotankers, F-22 Raptors, F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-15 Eagles, and F-15E Strike Eagles.

The exercise also gave Airmen the opportunity to join forces with sister service assets such as the U.S. Navy's EA-18G Growlers, F/A-18 Hornets, MH-60 Sikorsky and the U.S. Marine Corp's EA-6B Prowlers to accomplish Red Flag exercise mission objectives.

The Predator carries the Multi-Spectral Targeting System, which integrates an infrared sensor, color/monochrome daylight TV camera, image-intensified TV camera, laser designator and laser illuminator. The full-motion video from each of the imaging sensors can be viewed as separate video streams or fused. The aircraft can employ two laser-guided missiles, Air-to-Ground Missile-114 Hellfire, that possess highly accurate, low-collateral damage, and anti-armor, anti-personnel engagement capabilities.

"We participated in this Red Flag to give our aircrew the training experience of being integrated with other players and showcase what we bring to the fight and learn what they bring all while integrating to accomplish a specific mission set," added Benjamin.

Daily missions vary in complexity and severity but focus on building skills in dynamic targeting, global strike missions, counter-air missions, and combat search and rescue scenarios.
In addition to the integration with manned assets, RPA Airmen were able to gather more insight on operations from a ground point of view.

"Flying the aircraft remotely from the ground, gave us access to a variety of communication mediums that manned assets don't have access to while in flight," said Johnny. "By the last week of the exercise, we were instrumental in many scenarios and especially during Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) scenarios."

To enhance working familiarity between joint and allied partners, Creech sensor operators contributed to end-of-day aircrew out briefs to discuss lessons learned.

"Most of the other players don't know about what RPAs do," said Staff Sgt. Llyod, 18th RS MQ-1 Predator sensor operator. "They don't know what we can bring to the fight but seeing them face to face allows us to educate the other participants of Red Flag and learn more than we could of from Creech."

During debriefs aircrews are evaluated on how effective they performed against targets, how effective the threat picture was at defeating their team as well as how they performed individually.

For training purposes, Red Flag RPA aircrews were also observed by instructors to allow maximum information exchange between aircrew and Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC).

"We observe over the shoulder for safety. Just like a spotter does in the gym, we make sure you are doing things correctly but the pilot and sensor are running the show," said Benjamin.
The Red Flag exercise is a training tool used to build confidence, familiarity, and relationships among DoD warfighters to include those with little to no experience partnering with other aircraft or ground personnel.

"Our ultimate goal when selecting crews for the exercise was to get younger pilots and sensor operators involved so that we could get them that experience level of working with joint assets before they are required to perform these operations real-world," said Benjamin.

Overall, more than 27 aircrew Airmen from Creech participated in addition to numerous maintenance personnel, intelligence analysts, security forces members, and aircraft communication maintenance squadron personnel.

Red Flag offers B-52 crews training that 'can't be beat'

by Airman 1st Class Rachel Loftis
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

7/23/2015 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- As the sun blazes through the cloudless sky, a suffocating heat touches down on the Nellis Air Force Base flightline. A B-52H Stratofortress from the 69th Bomb Squadron sits, awaiting pre-flight checks for its upcoming Red Flag mission.

Red Flag provides realistic air combat missions in a training environment which ensures participating air and ground crews are better prepared for future real-world operations.

The 69th BS is one of many units taking advantage of the training Red Flag 15-3 offers.

"We got back from Guam last year and Red Flag was the next big thing on the docket, so we started focusing on that as early as possible," said Capt. Britt, 69th BS aircraft commander. "We wanted to focus on and show the (Combat Air Forces) what we could do so that when we got here our entire unit was on the same sheet of music, could perform as well as we could, and didn't' look like the slow ponies when we showed up."

The 69th BS brought four B-52 aircraft and approximately 180 Airmen to participate in Red Flag 15-3.

"We started talking about Red Flag about six month ago," Britt said. "However, I would say our real training program started three months ago, and we rolled through daily sorties. We started simulating what we expected to have here at Red Flag and carried that through so there weren't any big surprises when we got here."

The B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions such as strategic attack, close-air support, air interdiction, offensive counter-air and maritime operations.

"I don't think it's an unfair analogy to say that Red Flag is like the Super Bowl if you will," said 1st Lt. Joseph. "You plan for it, everybody else is getting ready for it in all separate places throughout the country and then all of a sudden, we all come together and integrate."

"We have this 'Seminole' moment where we are all learning together as a group. You're rubbing shoulders literally in the same building with all these people you've heard about throughout the year and you've trained to be able to integrate with, and now all of a sudden you're there and doing the mission," he added.

In addition to bringing the B-52 to Red Flag, the 69th BS has had the chance to gain valuable knowledge and training experience through the combat exercises presented at Red Flag.

"I would say at the unit level there is no better training than this in the world," Britt said. "It's definitely one of those things where there are people that have been to Red Flag and there's people that haven't and you're level of training, your level of expertise and skill increases significantly while you're here. Having all these assets and all the opportunities here at the same time, you simply can't beat it. It's the biggest bang for your buck."

Editor's note: Last names have been withheld due to operational security constraints.

Gunfighters arrive for Red Flag 15-3

by Senior Airman Brittany A. Chase
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

7/14/2015 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Members of the 366th Fighter Wing arrived here, July 6, to begin preparations for Red Flag 15-3.

Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States.

"It's great to be here at Nellis Air Force Base," said Maj. Jonathan Hutto, 366th FW chief of wing weapons and tactics. "Being surrounded by the quality and caliber of people who are here trying to make things better for the Air Force, and the fighter and bomber community is amazing."

The exercise is just one of a series of advanced training programs administered at Nellis Air Force Base on the Nevada Test and Training Range by organizations assigned to the 414th Combat Training Squadron.

"Red Flag is an opportune environment to prepare joint operatations against any organization that could pose a threat toward the U.S.." said Senior Airman Edmund Aldridge, 391st Aircraft Maintenance Unit avionics journeyman.

For the men and women on the ground, Red Flag gives less-experienced Airmen and command leaders realistic mission training in a simulated war. It's one of the few places they can receive realistic combat training with different branches of the military.

"We're building a team here," Hutto said. "To do this, we all have to be put in these stressful situations in order to thrive."

The 414th CTS's mission is to maximize the combat readiness, capability and survivability of participating units by providing realistic training in a combined air, ground, space and electronic threat environment while providing a free exchange of ideas between forces.

"Of course the F-15E Strike Eagle is my favorite aircraft," Hutto said. "But even though I love the Strike Eagle, you have to put all the aircraft here together to accomplish the mission successfully, and Red Flag enables us to do just that."

More than 1,000 military personnel will be participating in Red Flag 15-3, which officially begins July 13 and ends July 31.