📋 Tender Overview
Published Aug. 26, 2026 By Senior Airman Amanda Alvarez 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AFNS) -- The 325th Fighter Wing joined the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, for an air-to-ground exercise Aug. 4-14. Weapon System Evaluation Program-Combat Hammer 26.07 was designed to test the combat capability of air-to-ground precision-guided munitions and weapon systems of the F-35A Lightning II, while providing hands-on experience with live ordnance. The training directly supports Air Combat Commands emphasis on readiness, lethality and Agile Combat Employment by requiring Airmen to generate combat power away from their normal operating environment while building the proficiency and repetition needed for high-end conflict. Airman 1st Class Caiden White, 325th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew member, uses a handgun to download unexpended ammunition during Weapons System Evaluation Program-Combat Hammer 26.07 at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Aug. 12, 2026. Safely clearing unexpended rounds following a sortie demonstrated the squadrons ability to rapidly recover and sustain aircraft under realistic operational conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amanda Alvarez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res An F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 95th Fighter Squadron sits on the flightline during Weapons System Evaluation Program-Combat Hammer 26.07 at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Aug. 11, 2026. The live-fire exercise relies on the flawless execution of maintainers and pilots to validate the reliability of the Air Forces combat operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amanda Alvarez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Staff Sgt. Malek Kharrat, 325th Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment craftsmen, changes table cylinders during Weapons System Evaluation Program-Combat Hammer 26.07 at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Aug. 12, 2026. Routine maintenance on loading equipment ensures crews can flawlessly execute their mission to arm the F-35A Lightning II during WSEP. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amanda Alvarez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Combat Hammer allowed us to have hands-on exposure, specifically to air-to-ground weapons that the F-35 can carry, said Capt. Simon Little, 95th Fighter Squadron pilot. Were able to have those weapons on the aircraft, for the first time for some pilots. Unlike Tyndalls primarily overwater training environment, the Utah Test and Training Range provides a different set of conditions for the F-35 and its pilots. At Tyndall, we dont get a ton of exposure to our air-to-ground mission set, just because we primarily train in the Gulf of America, Little said. So being here allows us exposure on different terrain -- we get experience flying low level around the mountains and using terrain masking, different techniques and to target specific things on the ground. Additionally, working with live ordnance creates another layer of responsibility while providing a level of realism that cant be fully reproduced during routine training. Anytime you have a live munition on the aircraft, the stress level is naturally a little higher, Little said. We train for this every day, but there is a distinct realism that comes with the ability to employ catastrophic ordnance ... its a sobering reminder of what we do in the F-35. We are in the business of protecting America and our values, and I think the first time you get exposure to that, its a little bit of a sobering reminder of what we do and how we do it. Staff Sgt. Austin Baumgardner, 325th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron F-35A Lightning II craftsman, poses for a photo during Weapons System Evaluation Program-Combat Hammer 26.07 at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Aug. 11, 2026. Exercises like WSEP evaluate the effectiveness of weapons systems, ensuring maintainers can rapidly generate and sustain lethal airpower under realistic combat conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amanda Alvarez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Airmen assigned to the 325th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron download a munition from an F-35A Lightning II aircraft during Weapons System Evaluation Program-Combat Hammer 26.07 at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Aug. 12, 2026. Maintainers safely removed and secured ordnance after a live-fire evaluation sortie to sustain the aircrafts combat readiness during WSEP. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amanda Alvarez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Staff Sgt. Daniel Rivera, 325th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons team chief, and Airman 1st Class Lance Toland, 325th AMXS weapons load crew member, place an adaptor onto a munition during Weapons System Evaluation Program-Combat Hammer 26.07 at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Aug. 12, 2026. This live-fire evaluation relies on the precise execution of maintainers to test and validate the reliability of the Air Forces air-to-ground combat operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amanda Alvarez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res The training extended beyond the cockpit as the 325th Maintenance and Munitions Squadrons worked hand-in-hand with Hill AFBs WSEP team to support the 95th FS. The 325th MUNS arrived a week before the exercise to execute a dedicated bomb week, assembling all the necessary ordnance from the ground up, and shifting to a rapid 24-hour cycle once the live-fly phase began. We are evaluated on the ability to properly build up ammunition with all the components on hand and ensuring that we start the serviceability of assets from start to finish, said Staff Sgt. John Neer, 325th Munitions Squadron weapons system evaluation program precision-guided munitions inspector. We get 24-hours notice of what [munitions] are expected for the next day, what needs to be getting greened up, finished and out to the line, so its very quick. For Neer, the faster pace and smaller team structure added another layer to the exercise, forcing the team to operate with fewer personnel and r
