Tyndall AFB to host Combat Archer

Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida – devastated by Hurricane Michael - is preparing for its first post-hurricane Combat Archer exercise, according to AF officials, from between Dec. 3-14. The base’s 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group will conduct the live-fire training exercise; and will be supported by the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron, which will launch and control QF-16 aerial targets. Boeing recently delivered a new QF-16 to the squadron, marking an important milestone on the road to Tyndall’s recovery. The 82nd ATS currently has 18 QF-16s, six of which are unmanned, but all have been modified to be flown remotely. Combat Archer is a training event that evaluates operational fighter squadrons' readiness for combat operations. The program tests all phases of the real-world mission, from weapons loading to air-to-air combat. The AF also recently announced that the 53rd WEG’s mission, and the Combat Archer training event, will remain at Tyndall. The base has more than 2,000 personnel presently onboard, nearly half of them originally from Tyndall. (Source: Air Force Times 11/29/18) Sidebar: AF Col. David W. Abba has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general. He currently serves as commander of 53rd Wing at Eglin AFB, Fla. The 53rd WEG at Tyndall is one of the wing’s subordinate commands.