Weapons School concludes graduate course Published Dec. 9, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Michael Charles Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The U.S. Air Force Weapons School concluded its two-week long Mission Employment Phase Dec. 9. The mission employment phase is the final part of a two week Weapons School graduate course that showcases the newly acquired skills from the school's students. "The mission employment phase is the capstone event for the Weapons School," said Col. Richard Coe, USAFWS commandant. This phase lets the soon to be graduates see the results of their 6 months of training. Approximately 130 aircraft from both the Air Force and Navy participated in the staged battle, held on the Nevada Test and Training Range. Over 5,000 personnel were involved in the final phase of the Weapons School graduate course, resulting in 89 students from 21 separate combat specialties graduating as U.S. Air Force weapons officers. The ME Phase, which includes 10 flying windows called Vuls, shows the importance of each squadron to cooperatively work together to effectively accomplish advanced missions. This phase includes bombers, transport, command and control, refueling, fighter, surveillance and many more aircraft, all joined with space operators, intelligence officers and special and air operations center personnel. "It's important for each student to see how the skills they acquired during Weapons School integrate with all of our aircraft and capabilities to accomplish the mission," said Colonel Coe. "This one-of-a-kind training experience we give our students, gives them the opportunity plan and execute the full range of Air Force capabilities." The completion of the ME Phase is the last step in graduating from the Weapons school. Composed of 17 squadrons, the U.S. Air Force Weapons School teaches graduate-level instructor courses that provide the world's most advanced training in weapons and tactics employment to officers of the combat air forces. Every six months, the Weapons School produces approximately 90 graduates who are expert instructors on weapons, weapons system and air and space integration. They take to their respective squadrons the latest tactics, techniques and procedures for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. The Weapons School also produces the Weapons Review magazine, the CAF's premier professional tactics publication. The U.S. Air Force Weapons School will graduate 89 officers from class 09-B during ceremonies at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Dec. 12.
