Bold Tigers support weapons school

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Samantha S. Crane
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (ACCNS) --  Members of the 391st Fighter Squadron are currently providing support for the United States Air Force Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., from April 4 through May 2.

Mountain Home Air Force Base sent seven F-15E Strike Eagles with almost 50 391st FS and more than 80 366th Aircraft Maintenance Unit personnel in its fourth supporting role of the school in the past two years.

"This is a very good opportunity, for two reasons," said Capt. Josh Cates, 391st FS flight commander. "First, we are supporting several divisions of the USAF Fighter Weapons School to produce the finest weapons officers who will go back to the combat Air Force and pass their instruction along. Second, we get a chance to see sorties we would not have an opportunity to back at Mountain Home."

The Bold Tigers are supporting Nellis AFB's 17th Weapons Squadron by flying a variety of air-to-air missions as simulated enemy aircraft to prepare pilots for real-world situations while maintainers hone their skills in a new environment.

"It is a fantastic opportunity for maintainers from different specialties and squadrons to work much closer together and learn more about other jobs," said Master Sgt. Bryon Parsons, 366th AMXS production supervisor. "Some of the back shops get the chance to get out on the flightline and help launch and recover aircraft; an opportunity they don't get during normal daily operations at home station."

According to the school's Web site, https://wwwmil.nellis.af.mil/units/usafws/, "the Weapons School accomplishes its mission by providing graduate-level instructor academic and flying courses to USAF Combat and Mobility Air Forces. The school conducts extensive technical off-station training and liaison with CAF and MAF units."

"The assets, number of jets, and support personnel that the weapons school puts into their missions makes for a training event that is unsurpassed," said Captain Cates.