65th Aggressor Squadron reactivated at Nellis with Lightning IIs

On 9 June 2022, after more than three years of delays and hassle behind the scenes (read the Scramble Magazine news items of May 2019 and January 2020), the 65th Aggressor Squadron was reactivated during a ceremony at Nellis AFB (NV).

With more Chengdu J-20s becoming operational, the growing threat posed by the People's Republic of China's Fifth- and Sixth-Generation fighter development, the USAF has to use a portion of its daily Fifth-Generation aircraft to replicate (future) adversary Fifth-Generation capabilities.

One of the first Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning IIs to be used to replicate advanced and credible adversary tactics is 11-5021/WA. The latter, resembling the camouflage stealth colours of the Chinese J-20, has also the 65th AGRS flagship markings.

Using the F-35A as an aggressor allows pilots to train against low-observable threats similar to what adversaries are using and developing. The F-35s will be employed into large Combat Air Forces exercises, USAF Weapons School missions, joint exercises, and Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) events that are only conducted at Nellis and the Nevada Test and Training Range.

The 65th AGRS was previously active at Nellis from 2005 to 2014. During that time, the unit replicated tactics and techniques of potential adversaries with a fleet of F-15C/D Eagles. When they inactivated, the 64th AGRS at Nellis continued the aggressor mission with F-16C/D Fighting Falcons.

Besides that, the past years, Draken International has carried out various aggressor tasks at Nellis. They will carry out their tasks at Nellis until the end of 2022. While more Fifth-Generation aircraft capacities replicating (future) adversaries are in need, it is expected that older jet aircraft can not meet that challenge. Scramble Magazine wrote on the position of Draken International at Nellis on 12 April 2022.

Photos by USAF and Fighterman_FFRC (On Twitter)