William Tell 2023
After a 19-year hiatus, William Tell is back! William Tell was conducted from September 11th to 15th, bringing 4th and 5th generation fighters together for a competition testing air-to-air skills and rewarding those who deserved to win. Since the last William Tell event 19 years ago, the Air Force now has 5th generation aircraft that have proven their ability to engage and deter adversaries. "We must ensure that our adversaries continually arrive at the realization that today is not their day," said Lt. Gen. Russ Mack, deputy commander of Air Combat Command.
Throughout the week, pilots focused on four objectives: BFM (basic fighter maneuvers), air combat maneuvers, aerial gunnery, and simulated fighter integration missions. Pilots also tested each other's offensive and defensive skills against simulated enemy aircraft. A total of 800 Airmen representing nine squadrons from Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve participated in various activities, including loading weapons, maintaining aircraft, command and control, and ground counterintelligence operations.
Below, you can see the participating units and the winners. There are rumors that William Tell may become a yearly event. Hopefully, we can witness this action again next year. Check out more photos below!
Participating Aircraft
Air Combat Command:
F-15 Strike Eagle
- 366th Fighter Wing, Mountain Home AFB, ID
- 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour-Johnson AFB, NC
F35 Lightning II
- 388th Fighter Wing, Hill AFB, UT
F-22 Raptor
- 1st Fighter Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA
Pacific Air Forces:
F22 Raptor
- 154th Fighter Wing, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI
- 3rd Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK
Air National Guard:
F-15 C/D Eagle
- 104th Fighter Wing, Barnes ANGB, MA
F35 Lightning II
- 158th Fighter Wing, Burlington ANGB, VT
C2 Capabilities:
- 552th Air Control Wing, Tinker AFB, OK
- 3rd Wing, Joint Base Elemendorf-Richardson, AF
- 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan
Red Air:
- 64th Aggressors, Nellis AFB, NV
- 1st FW, T38s, JB Langley-Eustis, VA
William Tell Winners
Maj. Richard I. Bong Fighter Integration Trophy
- F22 - 3rd Wing, JB Elmendorf-Richardson
- F15E - 366th FW, Mountain Home AFB
- F35 - 419th/388th FW’s, Hill AFB
Lt. Col. James H. Harvey, III Top F15 Wing Award
- 104th FW, Barnes ANGB, Massachusetts
Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker Top F22 Wing Award
- 1st FW, JB Langley-Eustis, VA
Brig. Gen. Robin Olds Top F35 Wing Award
- 158th FW, Burlington ANGB
Big Eye Task Force Top C2 Wing Award
- 552nd ACW, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma
Col. Jesse C. Williams Top Intel Tradecraft Wing Award
- 1st FW, JB Langley-Eustis, VA
CMSgt. Arvol “Pete” Lusse Maintenance Team Award
- 1st FW, JB Langley-Eustis, VA
Weapons Load Competition Overall Winner
- 104th FW, Barnes ANGB, Massachusetts
Top F-15 Crew Chief
- 366th FW, Mountain Home AFB
Top F-22 Crew Chief
- 1st FW, JB Langley-Eustis, VA
F-35 Crew Chief
- 158th FW, Burlington ANGB
F-15 Superior Performer
- 104th FW, Barnes ANGB, Massachusetts
F-22 Superior Performer
- 3rd Wing, JB Elmendorf-Richardson
F-35 Superior Performer
- 158th FW, Burlington ANGB
