Naval Air Station Fallon

Naval Air Station Fallon (NAS Fallon) is the United States Navy's premier air-to-air and air-to-ground training facility. It is located in the city of Fallon in western Nevada in the United States. Since 1996 it has been home to the Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), and the surrounding area contains 84,000 acres (340 km²) of bombing and electronic warfare ranges. It also home for the Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor School (SWTI), and the Naval Strike Air Warfare Center (NSAWC). Navy Seal Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) training also takes place here.

Related Topics:
United States - Navy - Fallon - Nevada - Naval Fighter Weapons School - TOPGUN - Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor School - Naval Strike Air Warfare Center - Combat Search and Rescue

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The airfield at NAS Fallon was originally built in 1942 as part of a defensive network to repel a hypothetical Japanese invasion of the west coast. It was soon taken over by the Navy for training use and has been used as such ever since with the exception of the period of 1946 to 1951, during which it was used by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. On January 1, 1972, the Navy recognized Fallon's importance to naval aviation by upgrading the base to a major command. While Fallon NAS provides training for visiting Carrier Air Wings, the Strike Fighter Squadron 127, the "Desert Bogeys", are the air station's only permanently based squadron.

Related Topics:
Airfield - Japanese - Bureau of Indian Affairs - Carrier Air Wing

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Associated bombing ranges checker the surrounding Lahontan Valley and Dixie Valley, which is the next valley to the east. Dixie Valley also contains a simulated air defense network, including approximately 20 operational radar installations. Many demilitarized armored vehicles, including some exotics, have been scattered throughout the area, presumably for ambiance. Most of this area is publicly accessible, with the exception of areas immediately surrounding the radar installations.

Related Topics:
Lahontan Valley - Dixie Valley

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