NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev --
“SF-WTIC produces Security Forces professionals ready to lead in the most demanding environments we can expect to face.”
Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, Air Force Global Strike Command commander
Class 25-A of the Security Forces Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, or SF-WTIC, graduated Aug. 8 at Nellis Air Force Base after 18 weeks of rigorous training designed to produce expert tacticians and integrators for the Security Forces career field.
SF-WTIC develops weapons and tactics instructors who plan, integrate and lead the employment of strategies, techniques and procedures across missions that directly support Agile Combat Employment, or ACE. Candidates, both enlisted and officers, must pass a selection board requiring tactical expertise, advanced communication skills, a fitness score of 90 percent or higher and expert weapons qualification. With an attrition rate of 45 percent, SF-WTIC remains one of the most demanding courses in the career field. Class 25-A started with 22 students and graduated 13.
The structure and rigor of SF-WTIC intentionally mirror the high-caliber expectations of the Air Force Weapons School, including F-16, Joint Terminal Attack Controller, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, B-52 and C-130 programs, to ensure alignment with the broader weapons enterprise.
“Our biggest components adapted from Weapons School are the processes, structure and drive to build expert tacticians and integrators,” said Capt. James Stocks, SF-WTIC commander. “We’ve tailored these to integrate our functional community while maintaining the overall esprit de corps of the greater weapons communities.”
SF-WTIC began at Camp Guernsey, Wyoming, in 2020, then moved to Fort Bliss, Texas, from 2021 through 2024. In 2025, the course transitioned to a split model between Fort Bliss and Nellis. The syllabus was designed to be geographically flexible, but the long-term plan was to permanently stand the last phase of the course at Nellis.
“Our first priority was to refine the syllabus, then, gradually transition phases to their ideal location,” Stocks said.
At Fort Bliss, students faced high-end threat scenarios including live-fire exercises, convoy operations, airfield defense and force protection across training ranges that simulate deployed environments. The course culminated at Nellis with exercises on the Nevada Test and Training Range, paired with large-force exercises like Red Flag, offering an unmatched test of integration and adaptability in complex, multi-domain operations.
“The biggest challenge has been managing time and consistently learning doctrinal principles to apply them in tactical and operational situations,” said Capt. Colin Hoveln, Class 25-A’s distinguished graduate.
Graduates emerge as critical thinkers, tactical advisors and instructors who synchronize Security Forces capabilities with joint operations and Air Force strategic objectives.
“SF-WTIC graduates return to their units equipped with essential skills, elevating the standard of readiness and integration in every mission,” said Senior Master Sgt. Patrick Gonzales, 203rd Ground Combat Training Squadron superintendent.
The graduation ceremony featured a keynote address from Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command. His presence underscored the strategic importance of SF-WTIC and its origins within the command.
“The course was originally conceptualized and stood up with Global Strike Command support,” Stocks said. “We wanted to show our appreciation by inviting Gen. Bussiere as we hit a major milestone toward our goal of eventually becoming part of the Weapons School.”
In his remarks, Bussiere emphasized the evolving role of Security Forces in joint operations.
“Today’s fight demands leaders who are lethal, agile and connected, not just to their weapon systems but to the broader joint and coalition mission,” Bussiere said. “SF-WTIC produces exactly that: Security Forces professionals ready to lead in the most demanding environments we can expect to face.”