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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      65th Aggressor Squadron reactivates at Nellis AFB with aggressor force of F-35sPublished June 10, 2022
                    
                    
                    57th Wing Public Affairs
            **NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS)  --**The 65th Aggressor Squadron reactivatedJune 9 with a directed mission to know, teach and replicate fifth-generation air adversaries at **NellisAir Force Base**. 
 **Air Combat Command**commander**Gen. Mark Kelly**flew his**F-15E Strike Eagle**against the unit’s first assigned**F-35A Lightning II**and newest commander, Lt. Col. BrandonNauta, immediately prior to the ceremony. 
 “Due to the growing threat posed by PRC[People's Republic of China] fifth and sixth-gen fighter development, we must use a portion of our daily fifth-generation aircraft today at **Langley**,**Elmendorf**,**Hill**,**Eielson**, and nowNellis, to replicate adversary fifth-generation capabilities,” Kelly said. “Precisely because we have this credible threat, when we do replicate a fifth-gen. adversary, it has to be done professionally. That's the Aggressors.” 
 In 2019, the then-Air Combat Command commander andsecretary of the Air Force approved the activation to improve training for fifth-generation fighter tactics development, advanced large force training and operational test support. The decision underwent compliance with the **National Environmental and Policy Ac**tand other regulatory and planning processes. 
 The 65th AGRS was previously active atNellis AFB from 2005 —2014. During that time, the unit replicated tactics and techniques of potential adversaries with a fleet of F-15 Eagles. When they inactivated, the 64th AGRS continued the aggressor mission with**F-16 Fighting Falcons**. 
 “This significant milestone marks our ability to bring fifth-generation capabilities to the high-end fight, and will allow us to enhance our premier tactics and training with joint, allied and coalition forces,” said**Brig. Gen. MichaelDrowley**,**57th Wing**commander. people standing on stage during ceremonyLt. Col. Brandon Nauta, 65th Aggressor Squadron commander, assumes command of the 65 AGRS during an activation ceremony at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., June 9, 2022. The aggressor squadron acts as an opposing force in sorties by replicating enemy tactics, techniques and procedures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Josey Blades)
            
            
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    people standing on stage during ceremonyLt. Col. Brandon Nauta, (right) 65th Aggressor Squadron commander, assumes command of the 65 AGRS during an activation ceremony at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., June 9, 2022. The aggressor squadron acts as an opposing force in sorties by replicating enemy tactics, techniques and procedures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Josey Blades)
            
            
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    people standing with flagCol. Scott Mills, 57th Operations Group commander, passes the guidon of the newly activated 65th Aggressor Squadron to Lt. Col. Brandon Nauta, 65 AGRS commander, during an activation ceremony at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., June 9, 2022. The aggressor squadron acts as an opposing force in sorties by replicating enemy tactics, techniques and procedures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Josey Blades)
            
            
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                Download Hi-Res The aggressor program began in the 1970s to provide pilots the opportunity to train against a U.S. aggressor force that replicated advanced and credible adversary tactics. Since then, the adversary capabilities have improved significantly and so did the need to replicate these threats. 
 “Using the F-35 as an aggressor allows pilots to train against low-observable threats similar to what adversaries are developing,” said Col. Scott Mills, 57th Operations Group commander. 
 For the first time during**Red Flag-Nellis21-3**, the 57th Operations Group introduced dedicated F-35 aggressors to expand upon the F-16s aggressors assigned to the 64th AGRS. 
 “Working in concert with the 64th Aggressor Squadron, the F-35 aggressors dismantled significant components of the Blue Air game plan and ensured that our combat forces had to work hard for every win,” Mills said. 
 The F-35s will be employed into large Combat Air Forces exercises, U.S. Air Force Weapons School missions, joint exercises, and operational test and evaluation events that are only conducted atNellis AFB and the Nevada Test and Training Range. 
 “Our message to our joint, allied and coalition forces is simple: come toNellis to fight. The aggressors are ready, and our mission is to ensure you are too,” Mills said.LR 



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