Utah, Aug. 24 – The U.S. Air Force recently evaluated the F-35A Lightning II precision-strike capability through live weapons employment during Combat Hammer 26.07 at Hill Air Force Base in Utah from August 4 to 14. This Weapon System Evaluation Program event, involving the 325th Fighter Wing and 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron, focused on readiness for high-end conflict by testing air-to-ground munitions and associated systems under realistic conditions.
Airmen generated combat power away from home stations, aligning with Air Combat Command goals for lethality and Agile Combat Employment. The Utah Test and Training Range provided mountainous terrain that differed from overwater exercises at Tyndall Air Force Base, enabling pilots to practice low-level flight, terrain masking, and precise ground targeting essential for modern warfare scenarios.
Live ordnance elevated operational realism and responsibility for both pilots and support crews, delivering experience unavailable in standard training. Capt. Simon Little of the 95th Fighter Squadron noted the value of hands-on exposure to air-to-ground weapons carried by the F-35A, many for the first time. Maintenance and munitions teams from the 325th squadrons collaborated with Hill personnel, assembling precision-guided munitions during an intensive bomb week followed by rapid 24-hour cycles with a compact 14-member crew. Several team members gained first-time experience with live components, accelerating proficiency under heightened tempo.
This comprehensive training integrated weapons employment with sustainment operations required for combat. It strengthened the ability to transition from home-station preparation to full operational execution, enhancing overall F-35A combat airpower generation for demanding high-end conflict environments.