Nellis Air Force Range

Nellis Air Force Range. It is a vast military training and testing complex located primarily in southern Nevada, adjacent to the larger Nevada Test and Training Range. Operated by the United States Air Force and centered around Nellis Air Force Base, this immense installation provides unparalleled airspace for advanced combat training, weapons system evaluation, and developmental testing. Its remote desert terrain and restricted airspace make it a critical national asset for maintaining U.S. air superiority.

History

The area's military significance began during World War II with the establishment of the Las Vegas Army Air Field and the adjacent Las Vegas Bombing and Gunnery Range. Following the war, the onset of the Cold War dramatically increased the need for expansive testing grounds, leading to the formal creation of the Nevada Test Site for nuclear weapons and the expansion of air training ranges. The facility was designated the Nellis Air Force Range in the 1950s, named for William H. Nellis, a P-47 Thunderbolt pilot killed during the Battle of the Bulge. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, it was integral to programs like the Lockheed U-2, Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, and Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk, while also supporting exercises such as Red Flag.

Geography and environment

Encompassing approximately 2.9 million acres, the range lies within the arid Mojave Desert, featuring a landscape of valleys, dry lake beds, and rugged mountain ranges like the Groom Range and the Timber Mountain complex. Its geography is contiguous with other restricted federal lands, including the Nevada Test Site and the Tonopah Test Range, creating an enormous contiguous block of controlled airspace. The environment includes areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management and is home to protected species, requiring coordination with agencies like the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Notable geographic features within its bounds include the infamous Area 51 installation at Groom Lake.

Operations and testing

The range serves as the primary venue for the United States Air Force Warfare Center, hosting large-scale, realistic combat training exercises that simulate modern battlefields. It is the home of the premier Red Flag exercise, which involves allied nations like the Royal Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force. Developmental testing of advanced aircraft and weapons systems, historically managed by the Air Force Flight Test Center and units like the 6510th Test Wing, is a core function. The range also supports Joint Terminal Attack Controller training, electronic warfare missions, and testing for agencies including the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the National Reconnaissance Office.

Infrastructure and facilities

The range's infrastructure is centered around Nellis Air Force Base, which functions as the main support and logistics hub. A network of over 50 realistic threat simulator sites, mock airfields, and simulated surface-to-air missile batteries are scattered across the desert floor. Key facilities include the Tonopah Test Range Airport for classified programs, the Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field, and the Creech Air Force Base for unmanned aerial vehicle operations. The range features extensive instrumentation, such as the Combat Training Range tracking system, and maintains vast ammunition storage areas and bombing targets.

Role in military training

Its primary mission is to provide the most realistic combat training available for U.S. and allied aircrews, preparing them for operations in conflicts like the Gulf War and ongoing missions in the Middle East. The Red Flag exercise, orchestrated by the 414th Combat Training Squadron, is designed to give pilots their first ten combat sorties in a simulated high-threat environment. Training integrates assets from the United States Navy, United States Army, and United States Marine Corps, encompassing close air support, air interdiction, and suppression of enemy air defenses. This training directly supports the readiness of units from Air Combat Command, Air Education and Training Command, and Air Force Special Operations Command.

Category:United States Air Force bases Category:Nevada Test and Training Range Category:Military installations in Nevada