NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — The U.S. Air Force Weapons School will graduate its largest class in history, Saturday, Dec. 15, Class 12B, with 106 Weapons Officers stepping out as graduates of this prestigious school.
Every six months, the school graduates approximately 100 Weapons Officers and enlisted specialists who are tactical system experts, weapons instructors and leaders of Airmen.
The U.S. Air Force Weapons School trains tactical experts and leaders of Airmen skilled in the art of integrated battle-space dominance across the land, air, space and cyber domains.
Weapons Officers serve as advisors to military leaders at all levels, both those in uniform or civilian government positions. Weapons Officers are the instructors of the Air Force’s instructors, and the service’s institutional reservoir of tactical and operational knowledge. Taking the mantra, “humble, approachable and credible” as their creed, they form a fraternity of trusted advisors and problem-solvers that lead the force and enables it to integrate its combat power seamlessly alongside those of other military services.
In addition, the Weapons School provides academic and advisory support to numerous units, enhancing air combat training for thousands of Airmen from the Air Force, DOD and U.S. allied services each year.
The U.S. Air Force Weapons School traces its roots to the Aircraft Gunnery School established in 1949 at Las Vegas Air Force Base. This organization brought together a cadre of World War II veterans dedicated to the fundamental goal of teaching the next generation of pilots their combat-tested tactics and lessons learned. In 1965, the School name was changed to Fighter Weapons School where elite officers carried on the tradition of transforming air combat and training excellence.
Today, the U.S. Air Force Weapons School encompasses 18 squadrons, teaching 26 officer and enlisted combat specialties at eight locations around the country while addressing each of the 12 U.S, Air Force Core Functions, from Air Superiority to Rapid Global Mobility. Led by a cadre of the greatest tactical experts that exists, hand-picked students are taught how to win conflicts across air, space and cyber domains, advise senior decision makers and, most importantly, be leaders of Airmen.
The 63-year tradition of excellence associated with the U.S. Air Force Weapons School continues as they graduate the largest class in history — Class of 12B.
For a listing of the graduating class, go to the Nellis Air Force Base website at www.nellis.af.mil, or for more information on the event, call the 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office, (702) 652-2750.
(Editor’s Note: the U.S. Air Force Weapons School contributed to this article through announcements and available fact sheets.)
