U.S.A.F. F-35A Completes Weapons Firing Test Prior to Pacific Deployment

F-35s assigned to the 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson AFB, Alaska, taxi in preparation for takeoff at Tyndall AFB on October 15, 2021

The F-35As from the 356th Fighter Squadron participated in an air-to-air weapons evaluation at Tyndall Air Force Base prior to their deployment into the Pacific Air Forces.

The 356th is the first F-35 unit in the Pacific Air Forces to participate in such an evaluation. It took place from October 8-23, the Air Force said in a release.

This is the second fifth-generation platform to be evaluated on live-fire air-to-air weapons employment in support of National Defense Strategy objectives.

Nine live missiles were fired during the exercise, all by first-time shooters to include the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile along with the AIM-9X Sidewinder. Additionally, pilots had the opportunity to shoot the F-35A’s 25mm cannon for the first time against a QF-16-towed Aerial Target Gunnery System.

Successful completion of Weapon System Evaluation Program East 22.01 marks another milestone for the 356th FS, as they take a crucial step towards becoming the first Initial Operational Capability F-35A squadron in PACAF.

The 53rd WEG operates a fleet of subscale aerial targets along with the only full-scale, threat-representative targets in the Department of Defense. These assets, coupled with the expansive airspace managed by the Eglin Test and Training Range, enable both short and long-range missile shots. WSEP events provide invaluable training to maintenance and aircrew members.

The next event will combine WSEP East 22.02 with exercise Checkered Flag 22-1, which is slated to take place November 8-19 at Tyndall AFB.