Nellis Air Force Base Complex

Nellis Air Force Base Complex. A premier military installation for advanced air combat training, testing, and tactics development, the complex is a cornerstone of modern United States Air Force readiness. Centered on Nellis Air Force Base, it encompasses vast airspace and specialized ranges within the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR). The site is home to the United States Air Force Warfare Center and hosts major exercises like Red Flag.

History

The site's origins trace to 1941 with the establishment of Las Vegas Army Airfield, a World War II gunnery school for B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator crews. Renamed for William H. Nellis, a P-47 Thunderbolt pilot killed in the Battle of the Bulge, it became Nellis Air Force Base in 1950. The Cold War era saw massive expansion, with the adjacent Nevada Test Site used for nuclear weapons testing and the land annexed for the vast Nellis Air Force Range. This period solidified its role in developing tactics for aircraft like the F-105 Thunderchief and F-4 Phantom II during the Vietnam War.

Units and operations

The complex is commanded by the United States Air Force Warfare Center (USAFWC), a direct reporting unit to Air Combat Command. Key operational units include the 57th Wing, which oversees the 57th Adversary Tactics Group providing aggressor squadron training, and the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group. The 99th Air Base Wing provides installation support. The 432nd Wing and 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing, operating MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator UAVs, were historically based here. Major exercises are coordinated by the 414th Combat Training Squadron, including the renowned Red Flag and Green Flag series.

Facilities and infrastructure

The main installation features multiple runways, including one over 10,000 feet long, capable of handling heavy aircraft like the E-3 Sentry and C-5 Galaxy. It hosts the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC)-Nellis for command and control exercises. The complex includes extensive maintenance facilities for fighter aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, and F-16 Fighting Falcon. Support infrastructure encompasses the Nellis Solar Array, one of the largest photovoltaic systems at a U.S. Department of Defense facility, and the Mike O'Callaghan Military Medical Center.

Training and testing ranges

The complex's core is the sprawling Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR), the largest air and ground space for peacetime military operations in the United States. This includes the Red Flag exercise area, the Joint Air Attack Team (JAAT) training range, and the Air Force Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation Range. Specialized facilities include the Bone Yard for Electronic Warfare training and the Range 63 complex for close air support. The NTTR integrates with the Utah Test and Training Range and the Barry M. Goldwater Range for large-scale, multi-domain exercises.

Environmental and community impact

Operations have raised concerns over noise, airspace restrictions, and potential environmental contamination, leading to ongoing studies and mitigation efforts with agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency. The presence of threatened species such as the desert tortoise influences range management. Economically, the complex is a major employer in Clark County and the Las Vegas Valley, with deep ties to the City of Las Vegas. Community relations are managed through public affairs offices and coordinated with Nellis Air Force Base leadership.