The formation of the USAF Weapons School F-15E Division was formally announced in the Spring of 1991. The Commandant of the US Air Force Weapons School directed the initial syllabus and courseware development in early 1989. The initial cadre of instructors, consisting of five instructor pilots and three weapons system officers, began arriving in March of 1991 and were in place by June of 1991. The F-15E Division was formally activated in ceremonies at Nellis Air Force Base on July 8, 1991.
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.
The first F-15E Fighter Weapons School graduates 1991, Capt. Thomas K. McIntyre and Capt. james A. Grahn
F-15E FWIC class photos
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. (USAF photo)
1997 FWIC Strike Eagle Cadre, Nellis AFB. Yogi Alred (Hoss 1) 4th from left standing. Left to right standing – BK, Swanny, LB, Yogi, ShaNaNa, Wags, Ginsu, Lou B, Kos. LF to Right kneeling – Dawg, Eva, Brute, Cool, Grip, K-9. (Photo donated by Yogi Alred)
17th Weapons School photos
F-15E 90-0262 assigned to the 17th Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, prepares to take off for a Weapons School mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Jan. 5, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by William Lewis)
Capt. James Hendershaw, an F-15E Strike Eagle weapons system officer assigned to the 17th Weapons Squadron (WPS), and Capt. Jeremy Lutes, an F-15E pilot assigned to the 17th WPS, taxi at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, June 2, 2020. Every six months, the U.S. Air Force Weapons School graduates approximately 100 weapons officers and enlisted specialists who are tactical system experts, weapons instructors and leaders of Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bryan Guthrie)
F-15E 90-0239 assigned to the 17th Weapons Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, takes off for a U.S. Air Force Weapons School Integration exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 5, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by William Lewis)
Capt. Rebecca “Pinball” Baird gets ready in an F-15E Strike Eagle before a Weapons School Integration mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 3, 2021. Every six months, the school graduates approximately 100 weapons officers and enlisted specialists who are tactical system experts, weapons instructors and leaders of Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by William R. Lewis)
Capt. Rebecca “Pinball” Baird waits in her F-15E Strike Eagle before a Weapons School Integration mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 3, 2021. The U.S. Air Force Weapons School teaches graduate-level instructor courses that provide advanced training in weapons and tactics employment to officers and enlisted specialists of the combat and mobility air forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by William R. Lewis)
