The 2020 defense policy bill prohibits the Air Force from transferring any low-rate initial production F-35s to the adversary air role until the Chief of Staff submits a report to Congress detailing the service's plan for modernizing its organic aggressor fleet. The Air Force has two aggressor squadrons, one at Nellis AFB, Nev., and one at Eielson AFB, Alaska. Both fly F-16s, but the Air Force announced plans last year to reactivate the 65th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis and transfer nine non-combat capable F-35As from Eglin AFB, Fla., to Nellis in an effort to improve training for fifth-generation fighters. The 65th, which previously flew F-15s as aggressors, was inactivated in 2014 due to budget cuts. The service also wants to move two more F-35s from Edwards AFB, Calif, to the 24th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nellis for additional close air support training. Specifically, Congress wants the report from Gen. David L. Goldfein to outline: 1. "Potential locations for F-35 aggressors, includ-ing an analysis of installations that have the size and availability of airspace necessary to meet flying operations requirements; have sufficient capacity and availability of range space; are capable of host-ing advanced-threat training exercises; and meet or require minimal addition to the environmental requirements associated with the basing action." ing an analysis of installations that have the size and availability of airspace necessary to meet flying operations requirements; have sufficient capacity and availability of range space; are capable of host-ing advanced-threat training exercises; and meet or require minimal addition to the environmental requirements associated with the basing action."
展开▼
