Overview
The 57th Wing provides advanced combat training for composite strike forces, which includes every type of aircraft in the Air Force inventory. Training is commonly conducted in conjunction with air and grounds units of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and allied forces from throughout the world. Nellis also conducts operational testing and develops tactics. The base also supports combat search and rescue and remotely piloted aircraft operations worldwide.
Among the many units assigned to Nellis AFB, it is the home of the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, "America's Ambassadors in Blue". Equipped with the F-16 Fighting Falcon, objectives of the squadron are to demonstrate to the public the professional competence of Air Force members, to support Air Force community relations and people-to-people programs and to support Air Force recruiting and retention programs.
The base itself covers more than 14,000 acres (57 km2), and its vast ranges provide 15,000 square miles (39,000 km2) of airspace for flying operations. Because of its size and breadth of mission, the base is home to more squadrons than any other base in the Air Force. Nellis's work force of approximately 12,000 military and civilian people makes it one of the largest single employers in southern Nevada.
Read more about this topic: Nellis Air Force Base