(Current as of June 2012) The U. S. Air Force Warfare Center (USAFWC) at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., reports directly to Air Combat Command. The Center was founded Sept. 1, 1966, as the U.S. Air Force Tactical Fighter Weapons Center. It was renamed the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center in October 2005.
Purpose: The USAFWC exists to ensure deployed forces are well trained and well equipped to conduct integrated combat operations. From our testing and tactics development programs to our training schools and venues, we provide our Airmen with proven and tested technology, the most current tactics, superb academic training and a unique opportunity to practice integrated force employment. The USAFWC vision, mission and priorities are central to supporting Air Combat Command’s mission to fly, fight, and win — integrating capabilities across air, space, and cyberspace to deliver precise coercive effects in defense of our Nation and its global interests.
Commander’s Vision and Mission: Preparing Airmen for the Joint fight – providing the Joint Force Commander with highly skilled Airmen, effective weapons, and effective command and control of air, space, and cyberspace.
The mission of the USAFWC is to shape the way our force fights through Advanced Training, Operational Testing, and Tactics Development in Air, Space and Cyberspace at the Operational and Tactical Levels of War.
Commander’s Priorities:
- Analyze Adversaries: Coordinate an “Aggressor Force” to provide realistic and relevant opposition for training exercises, operational test and evaluation, and tactics development, at the operational and tactical levels.
- Certify Equipment: Provide weapons systems certified for integrated combat operations to the Air and Space Component Commanders and their MAJCOMs.
- Define Tactics: Provide single source, joint, integrated, definitive combat employment tactics for all USAF forces.
- Train Leaders: Train the future operational and tactical leaders of the USAF through advanced educational and tactical courses.
- Enhance Performance: Provide directed, joint, integrated warfighting, cross-domain exercise and composite training venues for operational and tactical units from the USAF, sister services, and coalition partners.
- Integration of air, space and cyberspace domains: Integrate air, space, and cyberspace capabilities, systems, forces and operations, in and through all domains, to deliver precise effects for the Joint Force Commander across the full range of military operations.
Organizations: To execute its mission, the USAFWC oversees the operations of four Wings and one named activity: the 57th Wing, 99th Air Base Wing, and the Nevada Test and Training Range at Nellis AFB, Nev.; the 53rd Wing at Eglin AFB, Fla.; and the 505th Command and Control Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The USAFWC is approximately 11,000 personnel (active duty, guard, reserve and civilians), located in 21 states, 31 different locations. The USAFWC also includes its own Inspector General, Staff Judge Advocate, Protocol Office, and Historian.
Staff Judge Advocate: The office of the Staff Judge Advocate is responsible for the delivery of all legal services to the USAFWC commander. Legal support is also provided to the 99th Air Base Wing, 57th Wing, Nevada Test and Training Range and 53rd Test and Evaluation Group.
One of the SJA’s primary responsibilities is to provide legal advice to commanders regarding military justice implemented under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The office also helps military members, retirees and their family members with personal civil legal problems. In addition to these services, it monitors and analyzes civil law matters including government contracts, ethics issues, military and civilian personnel law, fiscal law issues, claims and environmental law.
Protocol Office: The Protocol Office supports all units on Nellis. This office plans, coordinates and orchestrates official visits, receptions, dinners, ceremonies and related protocol activities for military, political and civilian dignitaries visiting Nellis Air Force Base. It provides guidance in selecting restaurants, cultural events and other places of interest for visitors. This office also coordinates and provides tenant units with protocol requirements upon request.
USAFWC History Office: The USAFWC History Office helps the commander and his staff make informed decisions based on past events. Services include publishing a periodic history for the center, conducting special studies and special projects and answering historical inquiries.
