The F-15 training era at Nellis AFB began on October 1, 1976, when the 57 TTW received its first F-15A. At this time, the433rd Fighter Weapons Squadron (FWS) began developing the syllabus for the F-15 Fighter Weapons Instructor Course (FWIC). During this period, the 433rd FWS was also responsible for training pilots new to the F-15 Eagle as part of the F-15 Replacement Training Unit (RTU).
F-15C 84-0030 Fighter Weapons school overhead Nevada, photo made by Ken Hackman (USAF)
On January 3, 1978, the 433rd FWS received its first FWIC class. This was the validation class for the F-15 FWIC syllabus which was designed to provide advanced instructor training to experienced F-15 pilots throughout the Tactical Air Forces (TAF).
Through 1978 and the beginning of 1979, the 433rd FWS conducted primary RTU training. On March 1, 1979, the 433rd devoted itself solely to F-15 FWIC training. Since that time, the F-15 FWIC has evolved into the most challenging and intense air-to-air training in the Air Force.
F-15C from the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nevada fly in formation over Nellis AFB.
On July 1, 1983, the first F-15C model arrived at Nellis for the F-15 FWIC. The modernization process continued as the division completed its conversion to F-15 Multi-Stage Improvement Program (MSIP) aircraft in April of 1992. As part of major reorganization of the 57th Fighter Weapons Wing, the 433rd FWS was deactivated on June 1, 1981. At that time, all FWIC courses were consolidated under the USAF Fighter Weapons School. Responsibility for F-15 FWIC training was transferred to the F-15 Division, USAF Weapons School, where it remains today.
On 3 February 2003, the USAF Weapons School redesignated the F-15C division to the 433d Weapons Squadron “Satan’s Angles”.
F-15C and F-15E model fighters from the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nevada fly in formation over the skies above the ranges north of Nellis after flying a training mission during the extensive course.
Weapons Instructor Course class photos
Back row left to right; Bob Ellis, , Joe Merrick., Phil Hofmann Front row left to right: Steve Brown, Brian Dugle
(Left to right) Capt. Tom Jeffcoat USAF FWS, Capt. Patrick Sheets USAF FWS, Capt. Wendy Metzinger 325 WCTS, Capt. Dennis Shool 24 AD
F-15C FWS graduates class 1985. from left to right; Capt. Jeff McChesney 32 TFS, Capt Mike Oakes 18 TFW, Capt. Todd Almand 36 TFW, Capt Tim Heck 405 TTW, Capt. Derek Meyer 33 TFW, Capt. Dock O’Neal 325 TTW.
(Left to right) Capt Jim Smith, 1 TFW, Capt. Brad King 405 TTW, Capt. Joe Smith 318 FIS, Capt. Tom Wright 325 TTW, Capt. Jeff Moersch 18 TFW, Capt. Jeff Leeper 1 TFW
(From left to right) Capt. Michael Ford 18 TFW, Capt. John Pickitt 405 TTW, Capt. Deon Gieg 36 TFW, Capt. Jarrett Jordan 405 TTW, Capt. Peter Brown 5 FIS, Capt. David Fink 1 TFW
(From left to right) Capt. Ronald Mumm 18 TFW, Capt. Thomas Orr 325 TTW, Capt. Mark Burgh 58 TTW, Capt. Christian Shippey 1 TFW, Capt. Thomas Henderson 32 TFS.
(Left to right) Capt. Steve Miller 325 TTW, Capt. Steve Robins 33 TFW, Lt. Col. Ted Campbell USAF FWS, Capt. Bill Shaw 21 TFW, Capt. Tim Merrell 405 TTW, Capt Matt Black 49 TFW.
F-15C FWS graduates class 1987. from left to right Capt. James Witham 405 TTW, Capt. Tom Jordan 325 TTW, Capt Jon Kelk 36 TFW, Capt. Francis Neubeck 18 TFW, Capt. Scott Turner 325 TTW, Capt. Mark Cummings 49 TFW
(Standing Left to Right) Capt. Thomas A. Dean III 1 FW, Capt. Randall A. Spear, jr 36 FW, Capt. Joseph G. Hruska 32 FS, Capt. Steven D. Gregg 142 OG, (Kneeling Left to Right) Capt. James S. Browne 3 Wing, Capt. Bruce A. Till 79 TEG.
F-15C Weapons Intructor Course graduates 96BIN
USAF photo
F-15C from the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nevada fliess above the ranges north of Nellis AFB
Oregon Air National Guard Maj. Bradley Young, 123 FS (left), is joined by other classmates (Maj. Kevin Danaher, Capt. Ryan Sivertsen, Capt. Matt Tanis, Capt. Nathan Liptak) for a group photograph, June 10, 2017, as they completed their 6-month F-15 (fighter) weapons course at Nellis AFB (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. John Hughel, 142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs)
Final F-15 Weapons Instructor Course
On Dec. 8, 2021. The F-15C flew its final Weapons School defensive counter air sortie during Weapons Instructor Course 21-B at Nellis AFB. It marked the end of the F-15C Fighter Weapons School program. Here are some great shots from behind the scenes of the Weapons Instructor Course 21-B.
A Massachusetts Air National Guard pilot assigned to the 104th Fighter Wing waits in an F-15C Eagle to participate in U.S. Air Force Weapons School Integration at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 8, 2021. The F-15C flew its final Weapons School defensive counter air sortie during Weapons Instructor Course 21-B.(U.S. Air Force photo by Michael J. Hasenauer)
Maj. Michael “Fig” Tope, U.S. Air Force Weapons School student pilot, waits in an F-15C Eagle as it sits on the end of the runway preparing to participate in the USAF Weapons School Integration at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 8, 2021. The F-15C flew its final Weapons School defensive counter air sortie during Weapons Instructor Course 21-B. (U.S. Air Force photo by Michael J. Hasenauer)
Senior Airman Clayton Kroesche, 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons system armament specialist, watches F-15E Strike Eagles taxi as he waits for F-15C Eagles that will participate in U.S. Air Force Weapons School Integration at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 8, 2021. The F-15C flew its final Weapons School defensive counter air sortie during Weapons Instructor Course 21-B. (U.S. Air Force photo by Michael J. Hasenauer)
Tech. Sgt Jonathan Fulbright, 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons system armament supervisor, completes a final inspection of F-15E Strike Eagles prior to takeoff during U.S. Air Force Weapons School Integration at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 8, 2021. The USAF Weapons School teaches graduate-level instructor courses, providing advanced training in weapons and tactics employment to officers and enlisted specialists of combat and mobility air forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Michael J. Hasenauer)
A Massachusetts Air National Guard F-15C Eagle from the 104th Fighter Wing, takes off to participate in a U.S. Air Force Weapons School Integration exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 8, 2021. The F-15C flew its final Weapons School defensive counter air missions during Weapons Instructor Course 21-B. (U.S. Air Force photo by Michael J. Hasenauer)
An F-15C Eagle takes off to participate in a U.S. Air Force Weapons School Integration exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 8, 2021. The F-15C flew its final Weapons School defensive counter air sortie during Weapons Instructor Course 21-B. (U.S. Air Force photo by Michael J. Hasenauer)
Pilots and family members walk on the flight line after a ceremony, celebrating the F-15C Eagles final Weapons School flight during a U.S. Air Force Weapons School Integration exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 8, 2021. The F-15C flew its final Weapons School defensive counter air sortie during Weapons Instructor Course 21-B. (U.S. Air Force photo by Michael J. Hasenauer)
An F-15C passes over the flight line one last time after a U.S. Air Force Weapons School Integration exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 8, 2021. The F-15C flew its final Weapons School defensive counter air sortie during Weapons Instructor Course 21-B. (U.S. Air Force photo by Michael J. Hasenauer)
757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons system armament specialists unarm the last F-15C Eagle, participating in Weapons Instructor Course 21-B at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 8, 2021. The F-15C flew its final Weapons School defensive counter air sortie during Weapons Instructor Course 21-B. (U.S. Air Force photo by Michael J. Hasenauer)
An F-15C Eagle completes its final training mission for U.S. Air Force Weapons School Integration at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 8, 2021. The F-15C flew its final Weapons School defensive counter air sortie during Weapons Instructor Course 21-B. (U.S. Air Force photo by Michael J. Hasenauer)
An F-15C (83-0014) Eagle assigned to the 433rd Weapons Squadron prepares to take off at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Nov. 19, 2021. The F-15C Eagle division of the 433rd WS, graduated its final class Dec. 11, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by William R. Lewis)
