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After the Korean War the USAF air-to-air kill ratio was an impressive 10-1. During the Vietnam War this number dropped to an unacceptable 2-1 ratio. In order to reverse this trend, the Air Force conducted an extensive study called "Red Baron" which concluded that the Air Force’s lack of dissimilar air-to-air combat training (DACT) and knowledge about soviet tactics and capabilities were major contributors to the degradation of US pilot air-to-air combat skills.
On 15 October 1972, the 64th Fighter Weapons Squadron (FWS) was activated at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, flying camouflaged two-seat T-38 Talons to simulate Soviet aircraft, doctrine, tactics and weapons capabilities.
Due to the tremendous success of the 64 FWS and the availability of the new single-seat F-5E, three more Aggressor squadrons were activated between 1974 and 1976. The 65 FWS stood up at Nellis on 15 November 1975 flying the F-5E while the 64 FWS converted to the F-5E simultaneously. The first Red Flag exercise occurred in November 1975 with both the 64 FWS and 65 FWS providing red air to participants. In August 1975, the 26th Aggressor Squadron (26 TFTS) stood up at Clark Air Base, the Philippines, to provide DACT to Pacific Air Force fighter forces. On 1 January 1976 the 52d Tactical Fighter Training Aggressor Squadron (527 TFTS) stood up at RAF Alconbury, United Kingdom, to provide DACT to United States Air Forces in Europe fighter forces. On 1 April 1989 the 64 FWS transitioned from F-5Es to F-16As. Due to budget constraints, the 65 FWS, 527TFTS, and 26 TFTS were deactivated in late 1989. In October 1989, the 64 FWS converted to F-16Cs.
On 5 October 1990 the 64 FWS was deactivated and reformed as the Adversary Tactics Division under the 414th Combat Training Squadron (Red Flag) at Nellis.
Although diminished in size, the United States Air Force Aggressors continue to provide the most realistic DACT found anywhere in the world.
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