Give Pilots The Chance To Deploy Actual Ordnance

Eglin Air Force Base's western range, Bravo 70, was the site for the largest-ever Combat Hammer weapons system evaluation program (WSEP) December 4 to 8, sponsored by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron. More than 40 precision-guided weapons were dropped -- including laser-guided bombs, joint direct attack munitions and Maverick AGM-65s -- during the five-day operation at the Florida base.

"We wanted to maximize our time -- more bang for our buck," said Maj. Chris Bridges of the 86th FWS. "A typical WSEP here is with only one unit, but we felt we could accomplish more."

The squadron evaluated the accuracy of weapons systems of an A-10 Thunderbolt II unit from the 354th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, AZ, as well as B-52 Stratofortresses from the 20th Bomb Squadron at Barksdale AFB, LA. Also participating was a Canadian unit, the 409th Tactical Fighter Squadron from Cold Lake Air Base, Canada, which brought nine CF-18 Hornets to the exercise.

Combat Hammer is about gathering air-to-ground weapons system data, all aspects are evaluated from the cradle to the grave, said Maj. Jim Barnes of the 86th FWS.

"We analyze everything, including the man, the machine and the aircraft," Major Barnes said. "All of those parameters, along with the data received after the weapon has done its job, goes into the model we use to determine effectiveness."

Canadian units use the WSEP program each year, alternating between Combat Hammer and Combat Archer, the air-to-air WSEP conducted by the 83rd FWS at Florida's Tyndall AFB. This year, during the Canadian's Combat Hammer, the 86th FWS tested 12 LGBs. The 86th's job is to gather, review and evaluate the data from those drops as well as the data from the other units participating.

"The Canadians are getting to do things here they've never done before, and we are honored to host and help them in any way we can," said Lt. Col. Dave Lujan, the 86th FWS commander.

Most of the Canadian pilots have very little experience dropping the weapons used during Combat Hammer.

"The Canadian Air Force has only six active targeting pods in their inventory, so those who come to WSEP finally get to use those pods, most of them for the first time," said Major Bridges. "That type of combat experience is much desired and invaluable to their pilots."

Capt. Ian DeCarlo launched his first GBU-10 at this year's WSEP.

"It's a huge deal to be able to fire one of these bombs for the first time," he said. "A simulation doesn't compare to actual combat training."

In an air threat scenario, the Canadian pilots faced adversary aircraft of F-16 Fighting Falcons and F-15 Eagles from the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron before heading to the range for a ground-threat to drop their bombs. A chase aircraft goes along to monitor the scenario.

"This process is repeated among all the units at WSEP over the three-day event," Major Barnes said.

Once at the range, cameras and other devices record mission information from the time the weapon is dropped to the time it impacts. Precise measurements of the impact are taken later, but the 86th FWS takes the recorded information from the day's sorties and uses it to provide initial feedback to the Combat Hammer players.

The entire analysis and evaluation process takes three months before a final report is issued. The goal of the 86th FWS and WSEP is 80 percent confidence in all weapons dropped. The test numbers are tracked over five years to get that confidence interval.

Information from all of the drops were gathered and the groups met for an outbrief and went through lessons learned. From the data obtained, the 86th reported the Canadians scored well based on their quality of equipment.

The 86th also offered some advice to help increase the Canadians' accuracy and target success rate.

"This mission was a success," said Lt. Col. Todd Balfe, commander of the 409th TFS. "We have a lot of lessons and points to take home and examine. We have some proficiency issues to work through, and data to back it up. As always though, it's about getting our pilots the experience they need."

Colonel Lujan reflected on the impact of the week and what it means to the 86th FWS.

"I believe this program benefits the Combat Air Force as a whole, it trains aircrews to be lethal in combat, and it trains maintenance on building, loading and launching PGMs," he said. "The Air Force as a whole, benefits from the data because it affects the way we go to war."

(Aero-News thanks Staff Sgt. Samuel King Jr., 53rd Wing Public Affairs)

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