The United States Air Force has activated the 18th Aggressor Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska:
USAF—The Air Force will activate the 18th Aggressor Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.
The mission of the 18th Aggressor Squadron is to provide realistic, combat adversary training in air, space and information operations. Aggressor squadrons use enemy tactics, techniques, and procedures to give a realistic simulation of air combat.
The unit will stand up with 18 F-16 Block 30s and will later expand to 24 fighter aircraft. The squadron will be ready to provide aggressor training for Red Flag – Alaska exercises in Spring 2007. The squadron will also support training and exercises throughout the Pacific region and additional requirements of the 57th Aggressor Tactics Group at Nellis AFB, Nev.
The designation of the 18th for this Aggressor Squadron continues its long history in the Pacific.
Last summer, I snapped this picture of an aggressor aircraft landing at a local airport. It has a Navy logo on it but I’ve never heard of the Navy flying F-16′s.
Here’s another:
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Thanks for the info Phantom. Does Phantom relate to the F-4?
In the mid eighties Northrup was trying to sell the F-20 to the AF and Navy for use as aggressors. In order to get enought planes built it required both services to buy the F-20. At the last minute the Navy pulled out of the deal and bougth F-16s, hence Navy F-16s.