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Aggressors at Shaw

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing and F-15 Eagles assigned to the 65th Aggressor Squadron from Nellis AFB, Nev., prepare to take off for an air-to-air training mission Sept. 13. The 65th AGRS specialize in replicating real-world threats and adversaries to train U.S. and allied forces, facilitating optimum understanding of all possible enemy tactics. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Davis)

Aggressors at Shaw

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Staff Sgt. Kevin Kendrick, 57th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, clears Lt. Col. Murray Nance, 57th Wing pilot, for take off Sept. 12. Colonel Nance is flying with the 65th Aggressors during their road show stop at Shaw to train the 55th and 79th fighter squadrons as professional adversaries. Realistic threat replications are provided to ensure that combat units go on real world missions with optimum understanding of all possible enemy tactics. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Kathrine McDowell)

Shaw embraces aggressors

Published Sept. 20, 2007
By Senior Airman Holly Brown
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C -- Twelve F-15 Eagle pilots, 65 maintainers, two support personnel and six aircraft, unfamiliar to the Shaw flightline, are here to serve a unique purpose from Sept. 10 to Sept. 20.

Members of the 65th Aggressor Squadron, from Nellis AFB, Nev., specialize in real-world enemy threats and tactics. Their job is to educate and train U.S. and allied forces. Here, they are training the 55th and 79th Fighter Squadrons.

"What makes this training more useful, is its U.S. Air Force pilots specifically trained to replicate our adversaries in the way they fly airplanes and how they employ their weapons," said Lt. Col. Todd Hamilton, 55th FS director of operations.

"We have experienced instructors who know, teach and replicate any and all threats," said Lt. Col. Larry Bruce, 65th AGRS commander.

The training consists of flight training and academics on counteracting enemy threats.

"The training is very educational. We started off basic and then ramped up the difficulty, using the building block approach," said Capt. Sean Penrod, 55th FS pilot.

"Everything we learn from the 65th AGRS professionals will be useful during future flying operations," he said.

"The Shaw Airmen have done an outstanding job," Colonel Bruce said. "They have shown desire to learn and a great performance level."