USAF F-16s fire live missiles over UK in Europe's largest combat readiness drill
Live missiles are being launched in UK airspace this month as part of the US Air Force's largest Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP) exercise ever held in Europe.
Dubbed Combat Archer, the drill is taking place at RAF Lakenheath and involves 21 F-16s from the 555th Fighter Squadron, known as the Triple Nickel, which is based at Aviano Air Base in Italy.
The evaluation provides an end-to-end assessment of combat readiness – from how munitions are stored and loaded, to the performance of aircraft, aircrew, and ground support teams in a live-fire environment.
"By simulating real-world engagements, Combat Archer ensures aircrews and maintenance personnel are prepared for actual combat scenarios," said General James B Hecker, commander of US Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA).
The exercise uses threat-representative unmanned systems and live air-to-air missile launches to create realistic training conditions.
It also includes drops of munitions like the AGR-20 FALCON laser-guided rocket, designed to counter one-way attack drones.
As part of the evaluation, munitions drops are being carried out at a military training range in Wales to help identify any issues in weapons delivery.
Holding the exercise in the UK rather than flying aircraft back to the United States allows USAFE to save millions of dollars in fuel and tanker support, while keeping its units forward-deployed in Europe.
RAF Lakenheath, home of the USAF's 48th Fighter Wing, is hosting the training.
While the base is typically associated with F-15 and F-35 operations, it regularly accommodates visiting squadrons for Nato training missions.
Gen Hecker said: "This approach enables a full evaluation of the weapon system from start to finish. It will look at how we store and move weapons.
"How our munitions professionals build and load them on aircraft. How the jet and its systems perform. How the pilots adhere to procedures."
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