Document Type: Brochure Title: Nellis Air Force Base 1994 Page: 3-17 Welcome to Nellis Nellis Air Force Base, a part of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command, is located approximately eight miles northeast of Las Vegas, Nev. The base itself covers more than 11,000 acres, while the total land area occupied by Nellis and its restricted ranges is more than 4,742 square miles. An additional 7,700 square miles of airspace north and east of the restricted ranges are also available for military flight operations. Nellis is the mecca of advanced air combat aviation training. The base's all-encompassing mission is accomplished through an array of aircraft: A-10, F-15, F-15E, F-16, F-111, B-1, B-52 and F-117A. Nellis' work force of about 8,200 military and civilians make it the largest single employer in Southern Nevada. Las Vegas' military population numbers total more than 60,000, counting family members and military retirees in the area. Nellis began as the Army Air Corps Flexible Gunnery School in 1941, initially training B-17 gunners. During the height of World War II, more than 600 B-17 gunners and 215 co-pilots graduated from the school every five weeks. In March 1945 the B- 17 gunnery program gave way to crew training for the then new B-29. Following the end of the war, the base was placed on temporary standby status, finally closing in January 1947. The base was reopened in 1949 and renamed a year later in honor of 1st Lt. William Harrell Nellis, a Nevada resident who was killed in action Dec. 27, 1944. He was flying on his 70th P-47 combat mission over Luxembourg. Virtually every fighter pilot who helped establish the Korean War victory-to-loss ratio of 14:1 received combat training at Nellis. Today, the busy base continues to provide training for composite strike forces which include every type of aircraft in the U.S. Air Force inventory. Training is also conducted in conjunction with air and ground units of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, as well as air units from allied nations. This training is accomplished through the U.S. Air Force Weapons and Tactics Center. The center is responsible for graduate-level air combat training for mission-ready aircrews throughout the world. Additionally, the center conducts followon operational testing and tactical development and evalua- tion using the latest weapons systems that equip combat U.S. Air Forces. The operational elements of the center are Nellis' 57th Wing and the 99th Wing located at Ellsworth AFB, S.D. _________________________ Nellis AFB is a vital segment of America's National defense and the Southern Nevada economy. _________________________ Nellis' 554th Support Group provides command guidance for all support agencies located at Nellis or associated with the center. This group provides a wide array of services including transportation, supply, morale, welfare, recreation and services, contracting, civil engineering, security police, mission support and communications. Operations of the 554th Range Squadron also fall within the 554th SPTG. Providing the base's aerospace medicine, hospital services, dental services and nursing services are the members of the 554th Medical Group. Members of this group maintain and operate the base's medium-sized, acute-care hospital. They will also be responsible for the overall operations of an Air Force/Veterans Administration facility which is currently under construction just outside Nellis' North Gate. Tenant units at Nellis include Detachment 722, Defense Commissary Agency; 820th Red Horse Civil Engineering Squadron; Field Training Detachment 918; Detachment 565, Air Force Audit Agency; Detachment 3, 693rdIntelligenceWing; and the 896th Aviation Depot Squadron. Other Nellis tenant units include the USAF Area Defense Counsel; the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office; Detachment 206 of the Air Force Offce of Special Investigations; and a Federal Prison Camp. ************************* USAF Weapons and Tactics Center _________________________ The USAF Weapons and Tactics Center conducts realistic combat and threat training, weapons tests and evaluation as well as tactics development for combat air forces worldwide. _________________________ The U.S. Air Force Weapons and Tactics Center conducts multiple activities to ensure that combat air forces worldwide maintain the skilled instructors, knowledge of the enemy, technical expertise, effective equipment and sound tactics to fly, fight and win. This center is one of three Air Combat Command units which report directly to the major command. To keep pace with world changes and a major reorganization of the Air Force, WTC reorganized in June 1992. WTC now directly controls 12 staff agencies, including the 554th Comptroller Squadron, the 57th Wing, the 554th Support Group and the 554th Medical Group. Also within the operational controls of the USAF WTC is the daily functions of the 99th Wing at Ellsworth AFB, S.D. The center is also responsible for the following: € U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, "the Thunderbirds" € U.S. Air Force Weapons School air tactics development and evaluation € operations and follow-on test and evaluation € adversary tactics research and training € Air Warrior support to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. € threat training facility € Red Flag operational training € Nellis Range Complex € liaison with continental United States and overseas commands relating to air weapon and tactics matters € support activities of Nellis. *********** Units 57th WING ______________________ The 57th Wing provides realistic training through Red Flag and Air Warrior exercises. ______________________ The 57th Wing is responsible for all flying operations at Nellis AFB. It oversees the dynamic and challenging missions of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, "Red Flag" and "Air Warrior" training, the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "the Thunderbirds," and the center's test and evaluation activities. This wing was reorganized in1992 to reflect the Air Force's new structure. The wing now has four groups: the 57th Operations Group, the 57th Test Group, the 57th Logistics Group, and the USAF Weapons School. The Thunderbirds also report directly to the 57th Wing commander. Nellis' 57th Operations Group provides realistic training through Red Flag and Air Warrior exercises, as well as operations and intelligence support for all Nellis flying activities. Four squadrons make up the operations group. The 57th Operations Support Squadron supports Nellis' flying operations with air traffic control services, base operations support, airspace management, and weather services. It is also responsible for scheduling, training, life support, weapons, tactics, and planning staff functions. Nellis is known for its Red Flag exercises, which are run by the 414th Training Squadron. The 414th TS provides aircrews from the United States and other allied nations realistic combat training in a combined air and ground threat environment. Another squadron under the operations group is the 547th Adversary Threat Squadron. Members of this squadron provide all intelligence support for the 57th Wing and WTC. This one-of-a-kind intelligence organization evaluates the threat to tactical aircrews and then develops as well as conducts training programs to counter that threat. As part of this training, the squadron also operates Air Combat Command's only hands-on threat training facility. The 549th Joint Training Squadron (Air Warrior) provides U.S. Air Force support to the U.S. Army's National Training Center located 90 air-miles southwest of Nellis at Fort Irwin, Calif. Air Warrior and its detachment at Fort Irwin host both fighter units and deployed elements of the Theater Air Control System for exercises which provide realistic combat training in the close air support arena. The wing's second group, the 57th Test Group, conducts operational tests, tactics development, special evaluation and software management of A-10, F-15, F-15E, F-16, F-111 and F-117A fighter aircraft. This group also manages and publishes the combat air forces' multi-command tactics manuals, tactical analysis bulletins and reports used by commanders, staffs and aircrews to develop combat airpowerworldwide. The57th TG includes one squadron and two detachments. Nellis' 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron conducts operational tests and tactics development for A-10, F-15, F-15E and F-16 aircraft and associated systems and support equipment. It also provides tactical expertise and support for technical order development, validation and verification for the combat air forces. Detachment 1, located at Holloman AFB, N.M., is responsible for conducting operational tests and tactics development for the F-117A stealth fighter. Detachment 3, located at Cannon AFB, N.M., is responsible for conducting operational tests and tactics development for F- 111 aircraft and associated weapons, subsystems, and support equipment. The wing's third group, the 57th Logistics Group, supports the dynamic operations of the wing. Its primary mission is both on- and off-equipment maintenance of the more than 100 assigned A-10, F- 15C/D, F-15E and F-16C/D aircraft. This group is the busiest in the combat air forces, generating annually more than 17,000 diverse fighter sorties, hosting hundreds of visiting units and providing about 70 percent of the live munitions expended within ACC. Four squadrons make up the logistics group. The 57th Logistics Support Squadron provides training, program management, quality oversight, and planning/coordination for the entire maintenance effort. The 57th Sortie Generation Squadron accomplishes on equipment maintenance of assigned aircraft. This includes such things as aircraft servicing, before and after flight inspections, launch and recovery, munitions loading, and any unscheduled maintenance requirements that occur during the course of flying. The 57th Component Repair Squadron accomplishes intermediate level maintenance on aircraft and support equipment components. Members of this unit repair avionics, pneudraulics, fuel, engine and test equipment in support of the flying mission. The 57th Equipment Maintenance Squadron accomplishes on- and off-equipment maintenance for aircraft and support equipment. It manages and maintains aerospace ground equipment, performs indepth aircraft inspections, services all transient aircraft, fabricates or repairs airframe structures, and maintains aircraft release systems. Members of the 57th EMS also store, maintain and distribute munitions as they are required. The USAF Weapons School is the wing's fourth group. It provides graduate-level academic and flying courses to specially selected officers who represent the A-10, F-15C/E, F-16, F-111, B-lB, B-52, intelligence, and air weapons controller disciplines. The school's fully accredited curriculum provides in-depth instruction in bomber, fighter, fighter-bomber employment, including weapons, avionics, tactics, enemy defense, intelligence applications, electronic countermeasures, and command and control. Upon course completion, officers are returned to the worldwide combat forces as qualified weapons instructors, sharing their specialized expertise and skills with Air Force field units. Activities of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, "the Thunderbirds," are directly supervised by the 57th WG. The Thunderbirds fly approximately 80 air demonstrations per year for millions of people throughout the world. ********** __________________________ Seventeen years of Red Flag training pits Blue Forces and Red Forces in mock combat operations on Nellis' vast air combat and ground attack/electronic combat ranges. __________________________ RED FLAG The mission of the 414th Training Squadron (Red Flag) is to maximize the combat readiness and survivability of participants by providing a realistic training environment and a forum that encourages a free exchange of ideas. To accomplish this, combat units from the United States and several allied countries engage in realistic combat training scenarios carefully conducted within the Nellis Range Complex. This concept is based on lessons learned from as far back as World War II‹if aircrews receive realistic training in peacetime, both their effectiveness and survivability in actual combat increase dramatically. This concept was clearly validated during Operation Desert Storm. In a typical Red Flag exercise, Blue Forces (friendly) engage Red Forces (hostile) in realistic combat situations. Blue Forces are made up of units from ACC, AMC, USAFE, PACAF, ANG, U.S. Air Force Reserve, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and allied air forces. They are led by a Blue Forces commander, who orchestrates the employment plan. Red Forces are composed of Red Flag's Adversary Tactics Division flying the F-16 and providing realistic air threats through the emulation of enemy tactics. They are often augmented by other U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps units flying in concert with electronic ground defenses and communications and radar jamming equipment. Additionally, the Red Force command and control organization simulates a realistic manual integrated air defense system. A key element of Red Flag operations is the Red Flag Measurement and Debriefing System. RFMDS is a computer hardware and software network which provides real-time monitoring, post-mission reconstruction, participant pairings and integration of range targets and threats. Blue Force commanders now can objectively assess mission effectiveness and validate lessons learned. A typical flag exercise year includes one Green Flag (an electronic combat-oriented exercise), one Canadian Maple Flag and four Red Flags. Each Red Flag exercise normally involves a variety of interdiction, attack, air superiority, defense suppression, airlift, air refueling and reconnaissanceaircraft. In a 12-month period, more than 500 aircraft fly more than 20,000 sorties, while training more than 5,000 aircrews and 14,000 support and maintenance personnel. Long before a "flag" begins, the Red Flag staff conducts a planning conference where unit representatives and planning staff members develop the size and scope of their participation. All aspects of the exercise, including billeting, transportation, range coordination, munitions scheduling, scenarios development, etc., are designed to be as realistic as possible, fully exercising each participating unit's capabilities and objectives. Since combat is no place to train aircrews, Red Flag provides a peacetime "battlefield" within which our combat air forces can train. Within this battlefield, aircrews train to fight together, survive together, and win together. AIR WARRIOR Since 1983, Air Warrior exercises have supported the U.S. Army's Airland Battle training at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif. Army combat maneuver battalions and brigades deploy to the NTC 12 times each year for nearly three weeks of simulated ground combat against a permanently assigned opposing force. Air Warrior provides the airpower to support this simulated combat. Fighter units and Theater Air Control System elements from ACC, the ANG, and the USAF Reserve, and occasionally USAFE, perform their close air support missions at the NTC, a training area of almost 1,000 square miles. Similar to Red Flag, the realistic simulated combat scenarios provide valuable close air support training on a scale not available to units at or near their home stations. The "friendly" and"enemy" ground forces pit approximately 400 armored and support vehicles and more than 3,000 soldiers against each other in a dynamic and unscripted battle exercise. These fast-paced battles, the intense real-time command, control and communication requirements; and visual simulations of armor, anti- armor, artillery and air defense weapon systems firings combine to present a highly realistic training environment for fighter pilots, forward air controllers and air liaison officers. 561ST FIGHTER SQUADRON A new member to Nellis' 57th WG is the 561 st Fighter Squadron. This squadron is made up of people and equipment to support Nellis' active F-4G "Wild Weasel" operations which will ensure the destructive suppression of an enemy's air defense capabiities until a suitable replacement becomes available. With the addition of the 561st FS, the Nellis community will expand by approximately 800 manning positions. The57thWG's 561st FS is one of two operational squadrons at Nellis. 66TH RESCUE SQUADRON Nellis' 66th Rescue Squadron (formerly part of the Air Rescue Service) was reactivated here March 1, 1991‹some 33 years following the unit's deactivation at RAF Manston, England. This unit's primary mission is worldwide combat rescue in support of combat air forces. The 66th RQS is the Air Force's first active-duty HH-60 combat rescue unit to be based in the United States and geared for worldwide deployment. The 66th RQS"'Jolly Greens" perform other vital functions in addition to worldwide combat rescue. Their secondary mission is to provide rescue support for air operations over the Nellis Range Complex and back-up rescue for civilian agencies in the local area and the greater South-western United States. In 1992, the unit received four HH- 60G Pave Hawk helicopters. Nellis' Pave Hawks will add several features to the unit's rescue capability, including a Global Positioning System, color weather radar, high frequency and satellite radio communication, flare and chaff dispensers, rescue hoist and an air refueling probe. Depending on the mission, a typical rescue crew includes a pilot, co- pilot, flight engineer and two pararescuemen, or PJs. These PJs are all qualified combat paramedics, scuba divers, parachutists, mountain climbers and survivalists. __________________________ The famed Thunderbirds are chosen from among the best in their specialties. ___________________________ USAF AIR DEMONSTRATION SQUADRON "THE THUNDERBIRDS" Nellis is the home of the world-renowned Thunderbirds. Nicknamed America's "Ambassadors in Blue," the Thunderbirds have performed for more than 250 million people in all 50 states and 56 countries around the world. This squadron consists of 140 people‹11 officers and numerous enlisted members from 35 different Air Force specialties. All are hand-picked from among the best in their respective fields. From mid-March through mid-November each year, the Thunderbirds are on the road. During these 200 days they fulfill their mission: to plan and present precision aerial maneuvers in one of America's front-line fighter aircraft, the F-16. Objectives of the squadron are to demonstrate to the public the professional competence of Air Force personnel; to support Air Force community relations and people-to-people programs; and to support Air Force recruiting and retention programs. The Thunderbirds offer tours of their facility every Tuesday and Thursday starting promptly at 2 p.m. Tours are open to base personnel as well as the general public. 554TH SUPPORT GROUP Nellis' 554th Support Group provides logistics and support functions for Nellis and Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field. Organizations assigned to the 554th SPTG are the 554th Range Squadron,554th Mission Support Squadron, 558th Civil Engineering Squadron, 554th Security Police Squadron, 554th Communications Squadron, 554th Supply Squadron, 554th Transportation Squadron, 554th Contracting Squadron and the 554th Services Squadron. The 554th Range Squadron develops, operates, and maintains all range facilities and threat simulators to provide a realistic combat environment for aircrew training and testing. This environment supports aircrew training, tactics development, operational test and evaluation, and large-scale exercises that pit friendly offensive forces against simulated enemy defense forces. Members of the range squadron also conduct specialized Department of Defense activities that require the use of its vast ranges. Additionally, the squadron provides a centralized pool of expertise to assist in the development of other Air Force tactical ranges. Agencies that fall within the 554th Mission Support Squadron include personnel, information management, Social Actions, the Education Office and the Family Support Center. The 558th Civil Engineering Squadron designs and constructs new facilities, and maintains as well as repairs existing facilities and utility systems. It also provides fire protection, crash rescue, sanitation services as well as dormitory, furnishings, and family housing management. Members of the 558th CES also provide major accident and natural disaster response and recovery operations. Disaster preparedness, also under the CES, develops and exercises base disaster preparedness programs. This agency also provides initial and refresher chemical warfare defense training. Nellis' 558th CES also monitors the base's explosive ordnance disposal activities. Nellis' 554th Security Police Squadron is made up of three flights: the 554th Security Police Operations Flight, 554th Security Support Flight and a Ground CombatTrainingFlight. This squadron protects base resources, maintains military law and order, conducts desert warfare training, enforces and maintains standards of conduct and discipline, and trains as well as equips for base defense in wartime. _________________________ The 554th Support Group combines unique support units to advance the mis- sion of ACC's largest base. _________________________ The 554th Communications Squadron plans, programs, operates, maintains and manages communications-computer and audiovisual systems for Nellis, Indian Springs and the Nellis Range Complex. One division of the 554th CS is the audiovisual flight, which acts as the central agency for all audio-visual services including graphic arts, photo lab, AV library and presentations support. Another division is the systems flight, which maintains Nellis' air traffic control and landing systems, security systems, telephone systems, cable systems and provides base switchboard operations. All assigned and attached units at Nellis get their supplies through the 554th Supply Squadron. Members of this squadron provide the supplies, equipment, and fuel needs for all assigned units. Most supply support is dedicated to servicing Nellis' diverse complement of assigned aircraft with spare parts, aviation fuel, and cryogenics products. Non-aircraft support, special requests, or problems are handled by the unit's Customer Service Center in Bldg. 830. People in search of recreational and leisure activities should check out Nellis' 554th Services Squadron which manages such diverse activities as the Child Care Center, Bowling Center, golf course as well as Omcer and Enlisted Clubs. Members of this squadron also provide billeting, furnishing management, food service, Honor Guard, laundry and dry cleaning, mortuary service and linen exchange services. Nellis' Services also serves as a consumer advocate for the Defense Commissary Agency and the base's Army and Air Force Exchange Service. Additionally, it manages the base-level PRIME RIBS program, which trains and equips food services personnel for deployment worldwide. The five flights of the 554th Transportation Squadron provide the full range of transportation services for the base. Vehicle operations manages the fleet and provides vehicle support; vehicle maintenance provides fixed and mobile maintenance; traffic management processes cargo shipments, passengers, and household goods; combat readiness provides basewide mobility training; and resource plans performs logistics plans and installation agreements. The 554th Contracting Squadron plans and supervises the base's central acquisition program and acquires contract services in support of major operations and maintenance requirements. *********** Other Organizations DEFENSE REUTILIZATION AND MARKETING OFFICE This office is responsible for the receipt and ultimate disposal of excess surplus government property generated at Nellis and other Department of Defense and federal agencies in the area. Nellis' DRMO also conducts sales of surplus government properly. Sales include local auctions and sealed-bid sales of selected items. Local auctions average one every six weeks and sealed-bid sales are scheduled through the National Sales Office located at Memphis, Tenn. AREA DEFENSE COUNSEL This office offers legal assistance to Air Force members facing trial by court-martial, administrative separation, or nonjudicial punishment. Nellis' Area Defense Counsel is organizationally independent and reports directly to the Judge Advocate General through headquarters U.S. Air Force Trial Judiciary, Fifth Circuit. 820TH RED HORSE CIVIL ENGINEERING SQUADRON (ACC) Known throughout the world as "Red Horse," this squadron provides heavy repair and construction. One of the five Red Horse squadrons in the United States, its construction support extends throughout the entire Western portion of our country, as well as overseas. The 820th RH CES is a highly mobile, self-sufficient combat construction unit capable of worldwide deployment in a short period of time. This squadron has its own medical, supply, food services, and vehicle-maintenance support to provide self-sufficiency for extended periods of time in a hostile environment. DETACHMENT 918, AIR FORCE AUDIT AGENCY AREA AUDIT OFFICE AFAA provides all levels of Air Force management with independent, objective, constructive, and competent evaluations of the effectiveness and efficiency with which managers carry out their responsibilities. These include financial, operational, and support activities. AFM is a separate operating agency with its headquarters at the Pentagon. It has several area audit offices located at selected installations worldwide. Nellis' Area Audit Office is part of the Westem audit region within AFAA's field directorate. 896TH AVIATION DEPOT SQUADRON (AFMC) As a unit of the Air Force Materiel Command, Nellis' 896th Aviation Depot Squadron stores and provides depot-level maintenance capability for DOD munitions. This unit also provides traveling teams to support worldwide maintenance requirements and make technical-assistance visits. FIELD TRAINING DETACHMENT 523 (AETC) FTD 523 is a detachment of the 396th Field Training Group, Sheppard AFB, Texas. Technical training is provided through classroom instruction and hands-on training for direct support of the 57th Wing and the 554th Support Group. Training is also provided for Reserve and National Guard units and TDY personnel enroute to other bases. Members of the FTD 523 teach aircraft maintenance techniques on A-10, F-15, F-15E and F-16 aircraft. They also provide associated training in maintenance management. DETACHMENT 206, AIR FORCE OFFICE OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS The Air Force Office of Special Investigations is responsible for all felony criminal, fraud and counter-intelligence investigations. AFOSI routinely investigates such criminal activities as narcotics violations, theft of govemment property, aggravated assault, homicides, arsons and any matter dealing with fraud against the Air Force. To enhance effectiveness in this mission, members of the AFOSI encourage all U.S. Air Force members to report directly to special agents on any of the afore-mentioned subjects as well as any request for defense-related, technical or other specific information outside of official channels. DET 3, 693RD INTEL WING Members of this unit employ the "Red Forces" for aircrew and weapons controller training and support tactics development/ electronic combat systems evaluations. They also train aircrews/ battle staffs in tactical intelligence integration. Another mission of this unit is to support the WTC leadership in the assessment of adversary tactics and EC capabilities. Det 3 members also supply deployed communications security support worldwide in accordance with Nellis' contingency/wartime OPLAN tasking. ********** History _____________________ A dirt runway, water well and operations shack form the history of Nellis AFB. _____________________ NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE A Western Air Express dirt runway, a water well, and a small operations shack eight miles north of Las Vegas formed the original site of today's bustling Nellis Air Force Base. On Jan. 25, 1941, Las Vegas Mayor John L. Russell signed over the property to the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps for the development of a flexible gunnery school for the Army Air Corps. The mission of the new school was defined as "training of aerial gunners to the degree of proficiency that will qualify them for combat duty." What is now Nellis started out as a detachment of five officers who took up residence in a small basement room in the Las Vegas Post Office building in May 1941. They were staff officers of the 79th Air Base Group, commanded by then Lt. Col. Martinus Stenseth. A month later the military population of Las Vegas Army Airfield had more than doubled with the arrival of five administrative NCOs and other enlisted men. During these first few months, there were no services or facilities at the new base. These enlisted men were quartered in the Work Project Administration barracks in town. Its initial motor pool consisted of six vintage trucks and a semi-trailer. They were often found parked by thebarracks. Supply and logistics had not yet been organized and mechanics had to borrow nuts, bolts, and old parts from service stations in Las Vegas. Gasoline and oil had to be borrowed from the Civilian Conservation Corps. Originally named the Las Vegas Army Air Corps Gunners School, the base was later renamed the Las Vegas Army Air Field. There were many reasons for locating the school near the town of Las Vegas (population then 9,000); flying weather was practically ideal year- round; more than 90 percent of an area to the north was public domain wasteland and available at $1 per acre; strategic location was excellent, being well inland; rocky hills approximately six miles from the base afforded a natural backdrop for cannon and machine gun firing; and dry lake beds were available for emergency landings. Construction of permanent base facilities began in earnest in mid- 1941 with barracks to house 3,000 people. In February 1942, the first aircraft hangar was completed at a cost of $190,000. The 3,425- foot runway was extended the same year in anticipation of the soon- to-arrive B-10 bombers and AT-6 trainers with their instructors. From this humble beginning, Las Vegas Army Air Field grew rapidly until 1942 when the first B-17s arrived, giving students their first chance to train in the gun turret of an actual combat plane and providing aircraft to train co-pilots in ground and transition school. At the height of World War II, 600 gunnery students and 215 co- pilots graduated from LVAAF every five weeks. In March 1945, the base converted from B- 17s to the B-29 Gunnery School. The base population peaked in early 1945 at nearly 11,000 officers and enlisted people logged on unit morning reports. Of these, more than 4,700 members were students. As World War II ended, the base found itself converted to the role of separating thousands of military men and women from service. During 1945 and 1946, thousands of soldiers received their separation physicals and final pay at the Las Vegas Army Air Field on their return to civilian life. Activities at the then LVAAF continued to wind down until an inactivation order closed the base on June 1,1946. However, a new order put the field on standby status until Jan. 31, 1947, when it was inactivated. In 1949, the base was reactivated as Las Vegas Air Force Base and became a pilot training wing. With the advent of the Korean War, the mission of Nellis changed from an advanced single- engine school to one for training jet fighter pilots for the then Far East Air Force. In 1950, the base was renamed in honor of 1 st Lt. William Harrell Nellis, who was killed in action over Luxembourg on Dec.27,1944. A fighter pilot with 69 missions to his credit, he was 28 years old when he died. Virtually every fighter pilot and every "ace" who staked claim to a corner of Korean air space called "MiG Alley" and helped establish a kill ratio of 14 to I received final combat training at Nellis. NELIIS AREA 11 Nellis' Area II is an integral part of Nellis and is located at the northeast edge of the main base. In September l969, this area became part of the Nellis complex. Before then it had served as a weapons storage area for the United States Navy. Three units are based in this area: the 57th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, which provides for safe and reliable munitions handling in support of the combat mission; 896th Aviation Deport Squadron, Air Force Materiel Command and the 820th Red Horse Civil Engineering Squadron. Also within Nellis Area II is a Federal Prison Camp. This minimal security facility houses offenders convicted of White Collar Offenses. These inmates do not have a history of violence, sexual assault, weapons violations or any such crimes. NEVADA TEST SITE The Department of Energy installation is located in Nye County with support and administrative headquarters at Mercury, Nev., approximately 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas. It is operated by the DOE, Nevada Operations Office at Las Vegas, which is charged with the management of all the nation's nuclear detonation programs. This test site covers approximately 1,350 square miles. It includes the Yucca and Frenchman dry lake basins, Paiute and Rainer Mesas and the former Camp Desert Rock area which was used by the Sixth Army in the 1950s to house troops participating in atmospheric tests at the test site. Yucca Flat, a valley roughly 10 miles wide by 20 miles long and Paiute Mesa, a rugged 7,500-foot high area of 166 square miles at the northwest corner of the site, are the main underground test areas. Frenchman Flat is the first dry lake basin north of the hills beyond Mercury. It was used for all shots in the Nevada test series in 1951 but since then has been used primarily for DOE weapons development tests and Department of Defense military effects tests. Approximately 5,000 persons are employed at the test site, including 50 military, with an additional 2,000 persons in test site-related employment in Las Vegas. INDIAN SPRINGS AIR FORCE AUXILIARY AIRFIELD A training camp was erected at Indian Springs, Nev., in January 1942, to facilitate aircraft air-to-air firing on the Tonopah Test Range. With the completion of buildings, utilities, and roads in February 1943, Indian Springs Subpost Auxiliary Landing Field was in full operation. Fourdecadeslater, Indian Springs is still supporting the Nellis mission. Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Airfield is situated at the southem edge of the Nellis Bombing and Gunnery Range, 47 miles northwest of Nellis and just off U.S. Highway 95. It is co-located with the remote Nevada town of Indian Springs. Most of the people live in mobile homes and trailers. They are either stationed at Indian Springs or are directly connected with the Nevada Test Site, which is operated by the Department of Energy. Indian Springs has ideal climatic conditions in support of the Air Force mission. It is also an ideal place to conduct annual "Thunderbird" training requirements. It is also the home of the USAF Desert Warfare Training Center. Its climate is arid, with the average annual precipitation around four inches. The altitude of 3,124 feet above sea level has some effect on the seasonal changes. Summers are hot with temperatures of 105-degree Fahrenheit quite common, compared with temperatures in the 115-degree Fahrenheit range in the Las Vegas Valley. This base is accessible from Highway 95 which runs north and south. Indian Springs is not served directly by any commercial air or rail lines. ####