Broken

An explosion ripped an F-16 Fighting Falcon into two pieces and scattered debris across the Eglin range Aug. 19. The explosion was a test of the flight termination system to be used in the QF-16. The purpose was to demonstrate that the FTS design will be sufficient to immediately terminate the flight of a QF-16, as well as determine a range safety debris footprint. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Wingspan

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 40th Flight Test Squadron awaits its fiery fate Aug. 19 on the Eglin Air Force Base range. The aircraft was exploded as part of a test of the flight termination system to be used in the QF-16. The purpose was to demonstrate that the FTS design will be sufficient to immediately terminate the flight of a QF-16, as well as determine a range safety debris footprint. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Ready for action

An F-15E Strike Eagle from the 391st Fighter Squadron flies loaded up with a GBU-12 and a GBU-28 during a Combat Hammer mission at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Combat Hammer is an air-to-ground Weapons System Evaluation Program maintained by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron. Combat Hammer marked the first of three weeks of evaluation at Hill AFB by the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group. Combat Archer, an air-to-air evaluation, is the second week, followed by a combined air and ground WSEP in the final week. The WSEP program is used to evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of combat air force weapon systems. The evaluations are accomplished during tactical deliveries of fighter, bomber and unmanned aerial system precision guided munitions, on realistic targets with air-to-air and surface-to-air defenses. For many of the aircrew participating in WSEP, it is the first time employing live weapons. This provides a level of combat experience many units face during combat. (Courtesy photo.)

BUFF bank

A B-52 Stratofortress from the 2nd Bomb Wing banks right during a Combat Hammer mission at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Combat Hammer is an air-to-ground Weapons System Evaluation Program maintained by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron. Combat Hammer marked the first of three weeks of evaluation at Hill AFB by the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group. Combat Archer, an air-to-air evaluation, is the second week, followed by a combined air and ground WSEP in the final week. The WSEP program is used to evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of combat air force weapon systems. The evaluations are accomplished during tactical deliveries of fighter, bomber and unmanned aerial system precision guided munitions, on realistic targets with air-to-air and surface-to-air defenses. For many of the aircrew participating in WSEP, it is the first time employing live weapons. This provides a level of combat experience many units face during combat. (Courtesy photo.)

Utah take-off

An F-15E Strike Eagle from the 391st Fighter Squadron lifts off for a Combat Hammer mission at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Combat Hammer is an air-to-ground Weapons System Evaluation Program maintained by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron. Combat Hammer marked the first of three weeks of evaluation at Hill AFB by the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group. Combat Archer, an air-to-air evaluation, is the second week, followed by a combined air and ground WSEP in the final week. The WSEP program is used to evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of combat air force weapon systems. The evaluations are accomplished during tactical deliveries of fighter, bomber and unmanned aerial system precision guided munitions, on realistic targets with air-to-air and surface-to-air defenses. For many of the aircrew participating in WSEP, it is the first time employing live weapons. This provides a level of combat experience many units face during combat. (Courtesy photo.)

Release

An F-15E Strike Eagle from the 391st Fighter Squadron drops a Guided Bomb Unit-28 during a Combat Hammer mission at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Combat Hammer is an Air-to-Ground Weapons System Evaluation Program maintained by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron. Combat Hammer marked the first of three weeks of evaluation at Hill AFB by the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group. Combat Archer, an air-to-air evaluation, is the second week, followed by a combined air and ground WSEP in the final week. The WSEP program is used to evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of combat air force weapon systems. The evaluations are accomplished during tactical deliveries of fighter, bomber and unmanned aerial system precision guided munitions, on realistic targets with air-to-air and surface-to-air defenses. For many of the aircrew participating in WSEP, it is the first time employing live weapons. This provides a level of combat experience many units face during combat. (Courtesy photo.)