17 Weapons Squadron

Eagle History

The F-15E Strike Eagle Fighter Weapons School / F-15E Division, was established 8 July 1991at Nellis AFB.

The course of instruction provides highly advanced instructor training for currently qualified F-15E instructor pilots and weapons system officers selected from throughout the Combat Air Forces. The course is designed to produce experts in all phases of F-15E tactical employment. The F-15E Fighter Weapons Instructor Course consists of over 315.5 hours of classroom academic instruction and 35 flying training missions. The validation class graduated in December of 1991. They were the first F-15E instructors to wear the “graduate” patch.

In January of 1992, the F-15E Division began full operation, producing 12 F-15E Weapons School graduates annually.

On 3 February 2003, the USAF Weapons School redesignated the F-15E division to the 17th Weapons Squadron. With the main mission to teach graduate-level instructor courses, which provide advanced training in weapons and tactics employment to officers of the combat air forces.

Squadron photos

An F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet assigned to the 57th Wing, lands after a training mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Jan. 7, 2021. The Strike Eagle’s targeting pod contains a laser designator and a tracking system that mark an enemy for destruction at long ranges. (U.S. Air Force photo by William R. Lewis)
F-15E 90-0261 of the 17th Weapons Squadron on approach into Nellis AFB, april 2017 (usaf photo)
The 17th WPS celebrated 100 years of its legacy in July 2017 and had this patch designed to commemorate the 100 years of service
An F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet assigned to the 57th Wing, takes off for a training mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Jan. 7, 2021. . (U.S. Air Force photo by William R. Lewis)
Capt. Andrew Griffin, 17th Weapons Squadron pilot, inspects an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet prior to his flight Nov. 15, 2018 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Pilots preform pre-flight inspections to ensure safety of both pilots and the aircraft during a flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Bailee A. Darbasie)
An F-15E Strike Eagle 90-0257 from the 17th Weapons Squadron, takes-off for a Weapons School Integration mission at Nellis AFB November 18, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by William Lewis)
An F-15E Strike Eagle piloted by Major (MAJ) Mike “Boosh” Neemar and Captain (CAPT) Mike “Spidey” Webb, USAF Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nevada, exhibits its maneuverability during the Capstone firepower demonstration at Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Air Field. It is a quarterly demonstration of aerial firepower and how it can be applied to the battlefield. The F-15E is armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.
F-15E Strike Eagle from the 17th Weapons Squadron completing an air refueling during a Red Flag sortie overhead Nevada
F-15E Strike Eagle driver from the 17th Weapons Squadron flying F-15E 90-0251 getting ready for a WIC sortie 2020.
F-15E Strike Eagle 90-0261 from the 17th Weapons Squadron breaking away from the tanker after having completed an air refueling overhead Nevada
17 WPS alumni, ranging from the first class in 1991 to the current class of 2016, pose for a 25th anniversary photo on June 23, 2016.
17 WPS alumni, including Brig. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, 57th Wing CC, chat while waiting for a photo session.