Nellis Air Force Base

Nellis Air Force Base. It is a major installation of the United States Air Force located in Clark County, Nevada, renowned as the premier center for advanced air combat training. The base is home to the United States Air Force Warfare Center and hosts a vast array of fighter aircraft, including the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, and F-16 Fighting Falcon. Its extensive ranges, most notably the vast Nevada Test and Training Range, provide an unparalleled environment for large-scale, realistic combat exercises that prepare aircrews for global operations.

History

The site's origins trace back to 1941 when it was established as the Las Vegas Army Air Field, supporting training for units like the Army Air Forces during World War II. It was renamed in 1950 in honor of William H. Nellis, a P-47 Thunderbolt pilot and Las Vegas native who was killed in action during the Battle of the Bulge. Throughout the Cold War, the base played a critical role in testing and developing new tactics and aircraft, closely associated with programs at the nearby Area 51 and the Tonopah Test Range Airport. Its location adjacent to the Nevada National Security Site linked it to numerous nuclear weapons tests conducted by the United States Department of Energy.

Units and operations

Nellis serves as the headquarters for the United States Air Force Warfare Center, which oversees advanced training and testing for the service. Key operational units include the 57th Wing, which manages adversary air training through the 64th Aggressor Squadron and the 65th Aggressor Squadron, and the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group for weapons systems assessment. The base is also home to the 99th Air Base Wing, which provides installation support, and hosts detachments from other major commands like Air Combat Command and Air Force Materiel Command. Notable tenant organizations include the Air Force Weapons School and the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile program office.

Facilities and infrastructure

The installation encompasses over 14,000 acres and features multiple runways capable of handling a wide variety of military aircraft. Its most significant asset is the adjoining Nevada Test and Training Range, a sprawling 2.9 million-acre air and ground range that includes simulated threat systems and realistic urban training environments. The base hosts the Combined Air and Space Operations Center-Nellis and maintains extensive maintenance hangars, weapons storage areas, and simulation facilities like the Air Force Modeling and Simulation Agency. Housing and support facilities are provided for thousands of military personnel, Department of Defense civilians, and their families.

Training and exercises

Nellis is the epicenter for the Air Force's most advanced and large-scale training exercises. The premier event is Red Flag, a realistic, multi-national air combat exercise held several times a year that involves allied nations like the Royal Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Air Force Weapons School conducts its rigorous six-month instructor course here, graduating tactical experts. Other major exercises include Green Flag, which integrates close air support with United States Army ground units, and Silver Flag, which focuses on expeditionary airfield operations. These exercises utilize the vast airspace and electronic warfare ranges to replicate high-threat combat environments.

Environmental and community impact

The base's operations, particularly its extensive use of the surrounding ranges, involve careful management of environmental concerns such as noise abatement and wildlife protection in areas bordering the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. It maintains a close relationship with the city of Las Vegas and is a significant economic driver for the region, employing thousands. Community outreach includes air shows, such as the famed Aviation Nation open house, and partnerships with local schools and civic organizations. The base also addresses historical issues related to contamination from past activities, working under regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency.