AFMC Command News

Combat Hammer evaluates precision-guided munitions

  • Published
  • By Lee Anne Hensley
  • 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  In a remote village west of Salt Lake City, a 2,000-pound EGBU-15 bomb slips suddenly through an open window of a 30-foot building with immaculate precision. Zero fatalities result from this TV-guided infrared intrusion that occurred May 13.

The 'village' -- stacks of cargo containers positioned to reflect an average Afghani village -- was erected to help the Weapon System Evaluation Program test and evaluate electronic warfare, armament and avionics, chemical defense, reconnaissance, and aircrew training devices in a realistic combat scenario.

The weapons testing program, known as Combat Hammer, is part of the Air Force's ongoing effort to test weapons systems in training missions that also prepare air crews for upcoming deployments.

Testing flights during the week have included B-1s and B-2s, along with F-15s, F-16s and F-22s.

Hill Air Force Base hosts Combat Hammer, which is powered by the U.S. Air Force Air Warfare Center, 53rd Wing at Eglin AFB, Fla., the 53rd Weapons Evaluations Group at Tyndall AFB, Fla., the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron at Eglin AFB, and the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron, Det. 1, at Hill AFB.

Sixty-five percent of all Combat Hammer operations are performed at the Utah Test and Training Range, an area operated by Hill AFB. The availability of space, the desert environment and the accessibility of using moving targets makes this testing ground the most ideal setting in the United States, according to 1st Lt. Scott Crowell, F-15 pilot from the 391st Fighter Squadron of Mountain Home AFB.

Combat Hammer also allows weapons specialists to practice loading live munitions onto the aircraft, something they rarely are allowed to do at their home base, according to Staff Sgt. James Deczynski of the 55th Fighter Squadron and Air Maintenance Unit at Shaw AFB, S.C.

"Since day one we have been training to go to war," Sergeant Deczynski said. "Something like this helps prepare us."

The 55th FS and the 391st FS will provide close air support to Southwest Asia in September. These exercises help ensure that airmen and weapons will be thoroughly evaluated and combat-ready.