Air Defense Weapons Center Air Defense Weapons Center ( ADWS ) is an inactive unit of the United States Air Force , last stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base , Florida . It was last assigned to First Air Force , Tactical Air Command , and was inactivated on 12 September 1991 The Air Defense Weapons Center was the primary location for training air defense forces . Interceptor pilot training , as well as weapons controller training , was conducted there . Tactics research and development and weapons system evaluation were important aspects of the Weapons Center ' s mission . These programs , played an important role in the evaluation and training of air defense forces . Overview . Established in 1967 , the Air Defense Weapons Center ( ADWC ) was a major training center for fighter - interceptor pilots . It was established after the closure of Vincent Air Force Base , Yuma , Arizona . Air Defense Command conducted gunnery training , air - to - air missile training and radar interceptor training at the school . It was a huge operation , maintaining large numbers of various interceptor aircraft , trainers , and drones for aerial targets . With the inactivation of Aerospace Defense Command in 1979 , the Center reorganized on 1 July 1981 , relieving the Commander of the day - to - day management of operations , aircraft maintenance , and test efforts . This reorganization did not change the mission of the Weapons Center , though it did change how it operated . A new organization was activated , the 325th Fighter Weapons Wing ( FWW ) . The 325th FWW , through its subordinate units , conducted an extensive training program for air defense aircrews and weapons controllers ; the USAF Interceptor Weapons School ( IWS ) trained instructors in all phases of interceptor weapons systems and employment . The Center continued its work in developing , validating , and testing air defense doctrine , tactics , and procedures , as well as development and standardization of fighter weapons techniques and training methods . Previously , F - 106 training was conducted by the 2d Fighter Interceptor Training Squadron ( FITS ) . This unit was re - designated the 2d Fighter Weapons Squadron ( FWS ) on 1 February 1982 . The 2d FWS ' s mission continued to be F - 106 training with plans to convert to the F - 15 starting in the fall of 1983 . The 95th Fighter Interceptor Training Squadron , also a part of the Weapons Center , provided T - 33 qualification and upgrade training as well as support for 2d FWS aircrew training , weapons controller training , and target support for air defense exercises . Additionally , All continental USAF sub - scale and full - scale drone aerial target operations were consolidated in the 82d Tactical Aerial Targets Squadron ( TATS ) . Training programs conducted by the Center included " Copper Flag " and " Checkered Flag " . Copper Flag was the equivalent of TAC ' s Red Flag , and was held at the ADWC . The first Copper Flag exercise was held in April 1982 . It provided aircrew , weapons controller , and command and control training against enemy tactics and capabilities in scenarios covering the full range of attack and defense options . Checkered Flag exercises provided aircrew and ground personnel training in operating from a deployed location . ADTAC forces study and execute carefully developed plans related to deploying to a specific staging base , and operating from that base throughout all aspects of their mission . Brigadier General Charles A . Horner , the USAF Air Defense Weapons Center commander , flew in the 325th Tactical Training WingÕs first F - 15 Eagle on 7 December 1983 . The center was inactivated on 12 September 1991 . First Air Force held a change of command and was officially relocated from Langley AFB , Virginia , to Tyndall AFB , Florida . On 1 October the 325th Tactical Training Wing was re - designated as the 325th Fighter Wing , when it implemented the objective wing organization . Today , the 325th Fighter Wing remains at Tyndall AFB providing air dominance training for F - 22 Raptor pilots .