Big maritime evaluation executed

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - The 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group conducted the largest maritime Weapons System Evaluation Program April 7-15, 2022. This iteration included air-to-air and air-to-ground and electronic warfare operations. The 74th Fighter Squadron and the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron’s A-10s participated in the combat exercises, and were evaluated on maverick and laser guided weapon capabilities against maritime targets. During the Combat Hammer (air-to-ground) portion of WSEP the 1st Special Operations Wing’s U-28 aircraft assisted with target acquisition. The 34th Bomb Squadron’s B-1 Lancers also participated in the Combat Hammer portion. The 12th and 3rd Special Operations Squadron MQ-9 Reapers were used with the intent to deploy with minimal equipment and personnel to execute operations. All of these aircraft and mission sets used Eglin’s many water ranges, airspace and environments to execute the evaluations. The ranges are the responsibility of the 96th Test Wing’s Range Group. The program management of the event and the airspace belong to the 96th Operations Support Squadron. (Source: Eglin Air Force Base, 05/12/22)