Weapon Instructor Course 2024, Leeuwarden Air Base, NL

Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35A taxis at Leeuwarden Air Base, Netherlands.

From October 28, until November 5, 2024, the Weapon Instructor Course 2024 end stage took place. The 29 international students of the WIC were involved in large-scale air battles in a period of two weeks. This was the final phase of their training as a weapons instructor. They flew from Leeuwarden Air Base, both during the day and in the evening in darkness. 

The final exercise is all about ‘Large Force Employment’. This involves the planning and deployment of approximately thirty aircraft. When aircraft take off for a new mission they will both act as the allied forces and the enemy forces with the intention to shoot the other party out of the sky in a simulated manner. 

The students from Belgium, the Netherlands and Norway will all apply the skills they have learned in an earlier stage. They started the highly regarded training program for weapons instructors in May 2024. The students are both fighter pilots and (non-)commissioned officers from other disciplines like for example Air Battle Managers.

The Weapons Instructor Course (WIC) 2024 at Leeuwarden Air Base had several core objectives aimed at developing the tactical and instructional expertise of its participants. These objectives ensure that aircrew members emerge as highly skilled instructors and leaders within their respective air forces. The WIC had a few primary objectives which are the core of the whole course. 

The course focused on advanced tactics, techniques, and procedures for employing modern combat aircraft, such as the F-35A, in complex operational environments. Participants learned to plan and execute multi-domain operations with a focus on precision and efficiency. A significant goal was to prepare participants to become instructors within their own units. This included teaching them how to effectively convey complex tactical knowledge and mentor less-experienced aircrew members. 

The WIC emphasized interoperability among allied air forces, such as those of Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway. By working closely in joint exercises, participants gained experience in multinational operations and coordination. Participants were trained to manage mission planning for a variety of scenarios, from air-to-air combat to ground-attack missions. They also practiced coordinating with other units and assets to achieve mission objectives. The course also provided a platform to test and refine modern combat tactics. Participants were encouraged to analyze operational scenarios critically and develop innovative solutions to challenges. 

The WIC aimed to cultivate strong leadership skills, enabling graduates to lead teams in high-pressure combat scenarios and act as key advisors to their commanders. The course simulated high-threat environments, including scenarios involving modern air defense systems and adversarial tactics. This preparation ensured that participants could adapt to and overcome emerging threats in real-world operations. By the end of the WIC, graduates were expected to possess a deep understanding of air warfare, exhibit superior decision-making skills, and be capable of enhancing the combat effectiveness of their respective air forces through advanced training and leadership.

Text and Photos by Joris van Boven and Alex van Noije