Hammer
An F-16 Fighting Falcon from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, releases a Guided Bomb Unit-31 during a Combat Hammer mission May 11 at Hill. Combat Hammer, an air-to-ground weapons system evaluation program, is maintained by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron. 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)