17th Weapons squadron contributes to USAF's Total Force Integration by testing Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range

On 7 January 2021, a combined reserve and active duty test team from Nellis AFB (NV) conducted an AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER) drop from an F-15E Strike Eagle.

While the F-15E is the leading delivery platform for the long-range, conventional, air-to-ground JASSM-ER in any USAF Area Of Responsibility (AOR), the missile release at White Sands Missile Range (NM), was the first JASSM dropped by any unit from Nellis.

The test was the first live JASSM-ER mission jointly executed by 57th Wing, 53rd Wing, 96th Test Wing and 926th Wing Airmen from the planning, ammo, weapons and maintenance departments. Although being assigned to Nellis's 17th Weapons Squadron, Strike Eagle 96-0200/OT, which carried the AGM-158B, flew for the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron and 706th Fighter Squadron with a Total Force Integration (TFI) aircrew.

This TFI multi-agency combined JASSM-ER test event was intended to validate enhanced hardware and software that will improve the lethality of the F-15E and other delivery platforms such as the F-35A Lightning II and future F-15EX.

   
Photos: USAF / patch: www.flightlineinsignia.com / image drawing: Akela Freedom (via www.xairforces.com)