Spiritual Minded Military Nevada Air Force Reserve: Why Is the F-16 Aggressor Squadron at Nellis Closing? — The Squad Closure Protocol

The Viper That Stops Flying

The F-16 Aggressor at Nellis Air Force Base is being grounded.

The Air Force is cutting 26 pre-Block F-16s from the aggressor fleet. The 706th Aggressor Squadron, activated just last year, is losing its aircraft. The 64th Aggressor Squadron is also affected. The active duty 64th and Reserve 706th are the units that simulate enemy fighters for Red Flag and other exercises.

The aggressor mission is not ending. The aggressor F-16s are entering.

Lt. Gen. John Healy confirmed the divestment at the AFA conference. "Our F-16 aggressors at Nellis… the program record currently has them divesting 26." The pre-Block F-16s—Block 30/32 and older—are being retired. Some will go to Homestead Air Reserve Base in Florida. The rest will be gone.

Your Spiritual Minded Military Shirt declares that you are still fighting. The fight is not on the runway. The fight is in the uncertainty. The Squad Closure Protocol is the countermeasure.

For the strategic framework on high-performance transition, read NEW YORK AIR FORCE TACTICAL ARCHITECTURE: FROM COCKPIT TO COMMAND.

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." — Philippians 4:13

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The Aggressor That Was Supposed to Grow

The 706th Aggressor Squadron was called up with great anticipation.

May 2023 saw the squadron become an aggressor unit. It started to receive F-16C Block 30s in September 2023. The first flight took place on 16 October 2023 . The unit received distinctive aggressor scheme paintings. The squadron was supposed to increase "red air" support from the adversaries.

The expansion was not realized.

Lt. Gen. Healy said we left them there with the hopes of being able to grow and move on. "That hasn't come to pass." The hopes were real. The hopes failed to last through the budget.

The 706th is one of four squadrons of aggressors in the U.S. Air Force. The 706th too is getting the chop.

Your Soldier for Christ Field Armor protects you from the enemy. The enemy is not on the flight line. The enemy is in the budget. The armor protects you while you navigate the uncertainty.

For the complete guide to understanding unit transitions, read From Battle Ready to Burned Out: What the Maryland National Guard Won't Tell You About Cellular Logistics.

The Budget That Decides

The cuts are not made on the basis of ability. The cuts are related to the aging of aircraft.

The pre-Block F-16s are vintage. The Block 25s and 32s are from the 1980s. Costly to maintain. Parts are not readily available. The Air Force is streamlining the Viper fleet by consolidating Block 40/42 models with newer Block 50/52 models.

The Air Force had 841 F-16s in FY2023. The number is forecast to be reduced to 830 . Around 608 will receive upgrades. The remainder will be sold off.

Twenty-six of those pre-Block F-16s at Nellis are in divestment. The 706th Aggressor Squadron is a part of that divestment. Those airmen are a part of that divestment.

Your Be Sober Minded Shirt carries the Scripture "Be sober, be vigilant." The vigilance extends to the budget. The vigilance protects your career.

For the recovery framework that addresses career uncertainty, read Weekend Warrior, Weekday Wreck: The North Carolina Guard Logistics Solution No One Gave You.

The Aggressor Gap That Returns

The cuts create a gap.

The F-15 aggressor squadron at Nellis was inactivated in 2014 due to budget cuts. The Air Force had to pull F-15s from Seymour Johnson to fill the gap. The gap was real. The gap was dangerous.

The F-16 cuts will create another gap. The 706th was supposed to fill the gap. The 706th is now part of the gap.

The pattern is clear. Budget cuts. Aggressor gap. Temporary fixes. The pattern repeats. The pattern does not solve the problem.

Your Spiritual Minded Military Cap marks your commitment to the fight. The cap says you understand the pattern. The cap says you will not be a victim of the pattern.

The Ripple Effect on Airmen and Families

The cuts affect more than aircraft. The cuts affect airmen.

The 706th Aggressor Squadron is an Air Force Reserve unit. Reserve pilots fly aggressor missions. Reserve maintainers keep the jets flying. Reserve families support the mission.

The 706th is being cut. The pilots will be reassigned. The maintainers will be reassigned. The families will be relocated. The uncertainty is real. The uncertainty is stressful.

The reserve airman who thought he had a long-term assignment is now facing reassignment. The Reserve family, who thought they had stability is now facing relocation.

Your Spiritual Minded Military Shirt declares that you are ready for the uncertainty. The uncertainty is the mission. The mission is the transition.

The Squad Closure Protocol

The Squad Closure Protocol is not a suggestion. The Squad Closure Protocol is the difference between a transition that breaks you and a transition that builds you.

• Step One: Know the Timeline. The cuts are happening. The 26 pre-Block F-16s are being divested . The 706th Aggressor Squadron is affected. Do not assume you have time. The time is now.
• Step Two: Know Your Options. Some pre-Block F-16s will go to Homestead Air Reserve Base in Florida. Other units are available. The options exist. The options require action.
• Step Three: Know Your Rights. The Reserve is obligated to support your transition. The Reserve is obligated to provide career counseling. The Reserve is obligated to protect your benefits. Do not assume your rights. Know your rights.
• Step Four: Know Your Network. The unit is closing. The wingmen are scattering. The network is the support. Connect with other affected airmen. The network is the strength.
• Step Five: Know Your Identity. The unit is closing. The mission is not ending. Your identity is not the unit. Your identity is the Remnant.

For the full spiritual warfare doctrine on transition, read The Sovereign Protocol: Elite Gear & Fuel to Enhance Military Performance.

The History of Aggressor Cuts

The aggressor program has always been vulnerable.

The 65th Aggressor Squadron was inactivated in 2014 due to budget cuts. The 64th Aggressor Squadron was inactivated in 1990 after the Cold War. The 414th Combat Training Squadron took over the aggressor role. The 64th was reactivated in 2003 .

The pattern is clear. The aggressor mission is essential. The aggressor units are vulnerable. The cuts are not about importance. The cuts are about money.

The 64th Aggressor Squadron now operates approximately 30 F-16C/M aircraft. The squadron uses Soviet-inspired tactics and markings. The squadron is essential to Red Flag. The squadron is still at risk.

Your Be Sober Minded Shirt reminds you to be vigilant. The vigilance is not paranoia. The vigilance is preparation.

What This Means for Red Flag

Red Flag is the premier air combat exercise. Red flags require aggressors. The aggressors simulate enemy fighters.

The 64th Aggressor Squadron provides the majority of Red Flag aggressors. The 64th flies F-16s in foreign camouflage schemes. The 706th Aggressor Squadron was supposed to supplement the 64th.

The 706th is being cut. The Red Flag aggressor force is shrinking. The training is less realistic. The readiness is compromised.

Your Spiritual Minded Military Cap marks your commitment to readiness. The cap says you understand the stakes. The cap says you will not compromise.

The Nevada Remnant

Nellis Air Force Base is the home of the aggressor. The 64th Aggressor Squadron. The 706th Aggressor Squadron. The airmen who simulate the enemy.

Most of them do not know the full extent of the cuts. Most of them will learn when it is too late. Most of them will be surprised.

The Remnant is different. The Remnant reads the protocol. The Remnant knows the timeline. The Remnant understands the options. The Remnant knows the rights. The Remnant builds the network.

The Remnant is not a support group. The Remnant is a transition network. Fall in.

Conclusion: 

The F-16 aggressors are being cut. The 706th Aggressor Squadron is affected. The 64th Aggressor Squadron is losing aircraft.

The mission is not ending. The warrior is not ending.

The Squad Closure Protocol is the counter. Know the timeline. Know your options. Know your rights. Know your network. Know your identity.

The Nevada Air Force Reserve airman who follows the protocol will not be a victim of the cuts. The airman will navigate the transition. The airman will continue the mission.

The choice is yours. The enemy is the budget. The protocol is the weapon.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith." — 2 Timothy 4:7

Spiritual Minded Military Nevada Air Force Reserve: The Squad Closure Protocol is now in effect. The Viper stops flying. The warrior does not. Fall in.

The Remnant does not transition. The Remnant re-enlists.

Spiritual Minded Military
We don't rank, we reign.

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