353rd Combat Training Squadron

353rd Combat Training Squadron
Unit name	353rd Combat Training Squadron
Dates	1994–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Combat training
Command structure	Air Combat Command
Garrison	Nellis Air Force Base

353rd Combat Training Squadron is a United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Combat Command at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The squadron provides advanced adversary and integrated air combat training for combat air forces, supporting Red Flag, Green Flag, Weapons School, and coalition exercises involving United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and allied air arms. Its activities interface with Pacific Air Forces, U.S. European Command, U.S. Central Command, and joint warfighting organizations to prepare aircrews for contested environments.

History

The squadron traces organizational lineage to training and aggressor units formed during the late 20th century restructuring of Tactical Air Command into Air Combat Command and the post–Cold War force realignments. It emerged amid transformations following operations such as Desert Storm and Allied Force, when the USAF prioritized realistic force-on-force training to counter advanced threats like the Sukhoi Su-27 and integrated surface-to-air missile networks exemplified by equipment deployed in Gulf War (1990–1991). The squadron expanded capabilities alongside programs including Threat Training initiatives and institutionalized lessons from the Air Force Doctrine Document 2-1. Over time it integrated with range complexes such as the Nevada Test and Training Range and participated in multinational events like Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom through exercise support and adversary simulation.

Mission and Role

The squadron's primary mission is to deliver adversary threat replication, joint terminal attack controller coordination, and electronic warfare integration for realistic combat training. It supports command-level readiness activities including Red Flag-Nellis and provides subject-matter expertise to Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed readiness assessments, working closely with units such as the 57th Wing and 414th Combat Training Squadron. The unit's role encompasses dissimilar air combat training against fourth- and fifth-generation platforms to prepare aircrews confronting systems like the S-400, integrated air defense systems, and modern fighter families including the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.

Organization and Structure

Organized as a squadron within the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, the unit fields flight leads, adversary instructor pilots, maintenance sections, and mission planning cells that coordinate with range control at the Nevada Test and Training Range. Its structure integrates with specialties from Air Mobility Command for logistical support and liaises with the Air Force Weapons School to align curricula and graduate-level instruction. The squadron employs joint interoperability cells to synchronize efforts with the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and allied staffs during combined-arms and coalition training events.

Aircraft and Equipment

To simulate peer and near-peer threats, the squadron operates aggressor-configured platforms and electronic warfare pods compatible with ranges at Nellis Air Force Base and expeditionary detachments. Its inventory has included adversary-marked fighters and contractor-owned warbird types adapted for dissimilar air combat training, integrated with systems modeled on the Sukhoi Su-30, Mikoyan MiG-29, and other Russian-origin designs encountered in post–Cold War contingency operations. The unit employs advanced datalink suites, threat emitters, and emitter simulators like those modeled on AN/ALQ-99 and GPS-denied environment tools to challenge aircrews operating F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and F-35 Lightning II aircraft.

Operations and Deployments

The squadron conducts continuous home-station operations supporting Red Flag and regional exercises, while deploying personnel and detachments to joint and coalition ranges across United States Central Command, United States Africa Command, and United States Indo-Pacific Command areas of responsibility. It has provided adversary support to exercises such as Operation Red Flag-Alaska, Exercise Cope North, and multinational training events with partners from Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Air Force. The squadron’s deployments often integrate with live-fire ranges, electronic warfare training corridors, and multinational command post exercises exemplified by Immediate Response and Vigilant Shield.

Honors and Awards

The squadron and its members have received recognition tied to squadron-level performance, safety milestones, and contributions to combat readiness assessments coordinated by Air Combat Command and joint staffs. Awards reflect excellence in areas including threat replication, exercise support, and curriculum development aligned with Air Force Instruction standards and readiness metrics promulgated by the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

Notable Personnel

Personnel associated with the unit have included experienced adversary instructor pilots, test and evaluation officers, and operations officers who previously served in units such as the Aggressor squadrons, Fighter Weapons School, and joint commands. Many alumni advanced to positions within Air Combat Command, served on combatant command staffs, or contributed to doctrine at the Air University and Air Force Institute of Technology.

Category:United States Air Force squadrons Category:Air Combat Command units