Air Force officials said Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada would gain a larger fighter presence through efforts to test and train warfighters in fifth-generation aircraft.
“Our nation and joint force commanders depend on us to control and exploit the air,” Gen. Mark D. Kelly, commander, Air Combat Command, said. “To do that, we need the additional range and aircraft maintenance infrastructure capacity at Nellis (AFB) to fully test and train with our most advanced capabilities. Our rescue squadrons will continue to train and hone their critical skills in support of operational missions from their new location.”
Air Force officials said the initiative would involve realigning the Nellis Air Force Base close air support and rescue missions to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, beginning in fiscal year 2022, adding transitioning the fourth-generation A-10 Thunderbolt II and HH-60 Pave Hawk squadrons from Nellis AFB would free additional range capacity needed to test and train warfighters in fifth-generation aircraft.
Additionally, personnel recovery units would be able to take advantage of the synergy provided by collocating with other rescue units.
The timeline calls for the A-10 Weapons Instructor Course and Test and Evaluation operations to transition in 2022. The HH-60 WIC, Test, and combat coded units — the 88th Test and Evaluation Squadron, 66th Rescue Squadron, 58th Rescue Squadron, the 34th Weapons Squadron, and the 855th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron — will move beginning in 2024.
The Air Force is also considering Nevada Test and Training Range improvements to expand support for infrastructure required for current and future testing and training, per authorities.