F-35A 65th Aggressor Squadron

The 65th Aggressor Squadron reactivated on June 9, 2022 with a directed mission to know, teach and replicate fifth-generation air adversaries at Nellis Air Force Base. Using the F-35 as an aggressor allows pilots to train against low-observable threats similar to what adversaries are developing,The F-35s will be employed into large Combat Air Forces exercises, U.S. Air Force Weapons School missions, joint exercises, and operational test and evaluation events that are only conducted at Nellis Air Force Base and the Nevada Test and Training Range.

The 65th AGRS was previously active at Nellis from 2005 to 2014. During that time, the unit replicated tactics and techniques of potential adversaries with a fleet of F-15 Eagles. When they inactivated, the 64th AGRS continued the aggressor mission with F-16 Fighting Falcons.

The aggressor program began in the 1970s to provide pilots the opportunity to train against a U.S. aggressor force that replicated advanced and credible adversary tactics. Since then, the adversary capabilities have improved significantly and so did the need to replicate these threats.