Pilots Train On Marksmanship

Firing on a banner pulled behind a slow-flying aircraft, F-15 Eagle pilots worked on their gunnery marksmanship near Nellis AFB (NV) May 17 to 21.

The training simulates air-to-air combat by using a Learjet 35 to drag a 68-pound banner 1,500 feet behind the aircraft. Pilots shoot at the banner as it is pulled through the air at about 288 mph.

"The purpose of the training is to let the fighters simulate an offensive attack against a fighter that is flying at low airspeeds," said Maj. Terry Scott, 366th Operations Support Squadron’s weapons and tactics flight commander.

Flying their missions from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, pilots received training over the Nevada Test and Training Range near here as part of Combat Banner air-to-air gunnery training.

To support the mission, Mountain Home AFB officials created a mobile banner team.

"We can go anywhere they’ll allow us to shoot and support the mission," said Tech. Sgt. Eric Webb, noncommissioned officer in charge of the 390th Fighter Squadron’s aircrew life support.

Aircrews will train every six months for one week at a time. During this time, the banner will fly twice per day allowing eight to 10 aircraft to fire on it.

"The banner was hit 422 times May 19," said retired Lt. Col. Jim Pressick, the pilot who flies the banner.

"This is a great program that’s very beneficial to the Air Force," Major Scott said. "It increases our combat capability, marksmanship and weapons reliability. This makes our warfighters more lethal."

Banner training is also offered at Eglin AFB (FL), Tyndall AFB (FL), and Langley AFB (VA)

(ANN salutes by Staff Sgt. Chris Stagner, Air Warfare Center Public Affairs)

FMI: www.af.mil