Nellis AFB Wing Boss Talks To Us About His Novel Aggressor Paint Job Facebook Contest And More

Updated Dec 1, 2019 6:34 AM EST

A new aggressor paint scheme is bound to grab the attention of the military aviation community. They are always covered closely here at The War Zone. In recent years, both the Air Force and the Navy have put out stunning new paint jobs , many of which closely replicate the schemes worn by potentially hostile fighter jets that America’s front-line pilots could face in combat zones overseas. Sometimes these paint jobs emerge out of nowhere, other times they are rumored to be in the works. But never before has one been chosen from a structured crowd-sourcing contest on social media, at least until now.

This is exactly what Brigadier General Robert Novotny did on his Facebook account over the last couple of months. Instead of internally developing a new scheme for one of the 64th Aggressor Squadron’s Block 32 F-16C/D Vipers, he co-opted his followers on Facebook and ran what ended up being a totally unconventional, but highly successful and engaging interactive contest. This resulted in an exciting new look for one of the squadron’s aggressor jets, and one that is ripped from the flight line of one of America’s most prominent adversaries. The War Zone did an article about the contest as it was unfolding, which serves as a good primer on the topic which you can read in full here .

After writing that article, we kept an eye on the contest as it progressed. Once it wrapped up, we reached out to General Novotny, the commander of the vaunted 57th Wing that oversees Nellis Air Force Base and the sprawling Nevada Test and Training Range , and he was happy to answer all our questions about the contest, the value of aggressor paint jobs, how he came to use social media in such a unique way, what the life of Nellis’s ‘wing king’ is like and more.

His answers provide a unique insight into his demanding leadership position and how being really hands-on with the public in a job that is not always conducive to the free flow of information can be a great thing for all involved.

How are the 64th Aggressor Squadron’s paint jobs traditionally chosen?

Historically we evaluate other nation’s air force’s aircraft, tactics and techniques for best practices or evolving challenges to our method of employment. Sometimes that includes camouflage, cover and concealment methods too. Long ago, when aerial combat almost always involved visually acquiring the adversary, an enemy aircraft paint scheme could provide an advantage by either delaying detection, i.e. it blended in with the background environment, or it could confuse a pilot by masking its aspect angle or range. As a result, 64th Aggressor paint schemes are normally chosen from realistic adversary paint schemes. The selections depend heavily on inputs from our Russia and China Fighter Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). The last update to the 64th Aggressor paint schemes occurred in 2016 when we introduced the Su-35S ‘Splinter’, Su-35S/ Su-34 ‘Shark’ (Dark Grey top/Light Blue bottom), and the Dark Grey J-20 paint schemes. We selected these schemes from adversary platforms that were at or near initial operational capability (IOC).

Historically we evaluate other nation’s air force’s aircraft, tactics and techniques for best practices or evolving challenges to our method of employment. Sometimes that includes camouflage, cover and concealment methods too. Long ago, when aerial combat almost always involved visually acquiring the adversary, an enemy aircraft paint scheme could provide an advantage by either delaying detection, i.e. it blended in with the background environment, or it could confuse a pilot by masking its aspect angle or range. As a result, 64th Aggressor paint schemes are normally chosen from realistic adversary paint schemes.

The selections depend heavily on inputs from our Russia and China Fighter Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). The last update to the 64th Aggressor paint schemes occurred in 2016 when we introduced the Su-35S ‘Splinter’, Su-35S/ Su-34 ‘Shark’ (Dark Grey top/Light Blue bottom), and the Dark Grey J-20 paint schemes. We selected these schemes from adversary platforms that were at or near initial operational capability (IOC).

What prompted you to go to Facebook and start a voting contest for the unit’s next adversary scheme?

I love this job, and I love what we do at Nellis AFB, so I want to take any opportunity to boast about our fine men and women who do great work for their nation. Social Media gives me a chance to connect directly with the folks who have a similar passion for military aviation. I had a great time running the 48th Fighter Wing Commander Facebook page when I was the Wing Commander at Royal Air Force Lakenheath in England. We had such a rich rapport with our UK hosts who have an energetic aviation community. You might not know it, but I believe Las Vegas is a great military city. The people who live here have been around military and civil aviation since before World War II. The Nellis Gunnery Range and Howard Hughes himself saw the aviation benefits of operating here locally. At our wing meetings, I pitched the idea of going to social media with some ideas for a paint scheme and see if we got any response…the rest is history!

I love this job, and I love what we do at Nellis AFB, so I want to take any opportunity to boast about our fine men and women who do great work for their nation. Social Media gives me a chance to connect directly with the folks who have a similar passion for military aviation.

I had a great time running the 48th Fighter Wing Commander Facebook page when I was the Wing Commander at Royal Air Force Lakenheath in England. We had such a rich rapport with our UK hosts who have an energetic aviation community. You might not know it, but I believe Las Vegas is a great military city. The people who live here have been around military and civil aviation since before World War II. The Nellis Gunnery Range and Howard Hughes himself saw the aviation benefits of operating here locally. At our wing meetings, I pitched the idea of going to social media with some ideas for a paint scheme and see if we got any response…the rest is history!

Novotny, a fighter pilot with the majority of his time in F-15s, commanded the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath before taking the reins of the sprawling 57th Wing. , USAF

How did you organize the contest? Was the response what you expected?

I started by gathering some recent open source pictures of new paint patterns and just started shopping them online to my Commander’s Facebook audience. I also solicited ideas with some caveats that they be realistic and relevant. The response was better than I hoped. Lots of unique patterns came to light and I even had part-time artists contact the page and design their own submissions. Some were good, some not so good. Once we get close, we started narrowing them down and I put the patterns to a vote for the crowd to cast their ballots.

An example of some of the schemes that were voted on., 57th Wing Commander’s Facebook page

Tell us a bit about the scheme that got chosen and the other finalists. Did you have a personal favorite?

The Su-57 “digital shark” won the contest. To be honest, it ran away with the vote. I did like the winning pattern, as did the Aggressors, but I also had my eye on a Su-57 splinter shark that didn’t get many votes. We were concerned that the contest could go awry, but the fans of the site did a great job and I think they truly wanted a relevant and realistic pattern, as well.

57th Wing Commander’s Facebook page

The paint scheme is based directly on one that is currently being flown on Russia’s Su-57 fighter. , Russian MoD

How is the 64th AGRS taking to this new way of selecting a paint job for one of their F-16C/Ds?

The 64th Aggressors are very excited about the new Su-57 ‘Digital Shark’ paint scheme. Any opportunity to better replicate adversary fighters is welcomed as it affords our professional aggressors another tool to train warfighters to win in combat.

You are an accomplished fighter pilot with time in many types of aircraft, but you spent the most time in F-15s. Since you have plenty of first-hand knowledge, do these paint jobs really make a difference in air combat training? What purpose do they serve beyond looking awesome?

Yes, the aggressor paint schemes serve a purpose other than just looking cool. In the book Red Eagles: America’s Secret MiGs , Steve Davies coined the phrase “Buck Fever.” He described Buck Fever as the emotion a new hunter feels the first time they aim a rifle at a deer. The Red Eagle pilots extended this concept to air-to-air combat. ​ ​​​ Maj Francis “Paco” Geisler stated, “The first time I saw a MiG-17, I just stopped flying the airplane.” The Red Eagles believed that exposing pilots to real MiGs in training was the only way to avoid Buck Fever in combat. Although the 64th Aggressors are not flying actual MiG aircraft, we use adversary paint schemes to help mitigate the risk of Buck Fever. Based on that threat-representative training, our warfighters are much more likely to arrive at a merge, visually identify the enemy, and KILL! I know that when I merge with an Aggressor flying this paint scheme, it will get my attention!

Yes, the aggressor paint schemes serve a purpose other than just looking cool. In the book Red Eagles: America’s Secret MiGs , Steve Davies coined the phrase “Buck Fever.” He described Buck Fever as the emotion a new hunter feels the first time they aim a rifle at a deer. The Red Eagle pilots extended this concept to air-to-air combat.

Maj Francis “Paco” Geisler stated, “The first time I saw a MiG-17, I just stopped flying the airplane.” The Red Eagles believed that exposing pilots to real MiGs in training was the only way to avoid Buck Fever in combat. Although the 64th Aggressors are not flying actual MiG aircraft, we use adversary paint schemes to help mitigate the risk of Buck Fever. Based on that threat-representative training, our warfighters are much more likely to arrive at a merge, visually identify the enemy, and KILL!

I know that when I merge with an Aggressor flying this paint scheme, it will get my attention!

Tyler Rogoway/Author

When will this new scheme emerge from the paint barn? Will it also be unveiled on your Facebook page?

We’re working that right now. We are hoping to have it out before summer. Our plan with our Public Affairs team is to do a time lapse video of the actual work that goes into painting this bird and show all of our fans the fruits of their labor. The rollout will not be quiet!

A 64th AGRS Viper undergoing repainting. Each jet is on roughly a six-year cycle to for repainting. You can read all about the process in this past article of ours . , USAF

There has been a trend recently in which USAF leadership engages less with the press and the public directly. You are very active on social media and people seem to really love it. What are your thoughts on military leadership embracing outlets like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram in a personal and very direct way?

I see quite a few folks in the USAF engaging on social media. Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth Wright is a good friend and he’s very active on social media. My boss General Mike Holmes, Air Combat Command (ACC) Commander is engaged. Former wing commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing Colonel Thomas Palente was great on his site too. I’m not sure it’s a reluctance to engage on social media, more so some folks might be too busy from time to time. We do have to be careful about what we say and how we engage, but I think there can be great value. During Hurricane Michael for example, I know our ACC and Tyndall teammates did well getting the facts to the public.

One of the 64th Aggressor Squadron’s most beloved schemes is the ‘splinter’ paint job that was applied a couple of its jets after the 65th Aggressor Squadron, which operated F-15C/Ds and first wore the scheme, was shuttered due to budget cuts in the earlier part of the decade. You can read more about this decision in this previous piece of mine . This particular splinter scheme is inspired by the paint jobs worn by early Su-35 development aircraft. , USAF

As the ‘Wing King’ of the vaunted 57th Wing, you seem to be really enjoying your job. You have posted a lot of content showing you going to the small arms range with airmen and flying with various units under your command and some of the many visiting units that use Nellis as a base of operations for unique training. What are your favorite experiences so far?

I love being around our young Airmen and watching them do amazing things. I also love everyone’s personal story about why they joined and what they’ve accomplished since putting on the uniform. I think I’m able to connect with folks in the wing and the “truth data” I get because of it is priceless. Couple that with flying a fighter over Las Vegas from time to time…you can’t beat this job.

General Novotny at the small arms range with fellow airmen. , USAF

How is commanding such a large, diverse, and complex wing different than your past assignments?

I find this wing is challenging because of the diversity of the mission set. We execute Red Flag exercises in the 57th Wing, but our international partners are customers, our allies, our combat units, the headquarters all have vested interests in how Red Flag helps increase readiness. Similarly, the Weapons School produces weapons officers for every single major command, from special operations to mobility to attack and reconnaissance. Finally, the Thunderbirds are the most recognizable organization in the Air Force and the Chief of Staff has a keen interest in what they’re doing to recruit, retain and inspire Airmen. Because of these factors, the vast diversity and outside impact, I find I spend lots of my time dealing with very senior leaders and multiple other commands.

General Novotny flying with a C-130 crew that was visiting Nellis for the unique training environment only it can provide . , 57th Wing Commander’s Facebook page

Nellis AFB and the nearby Nevada Test and Training Range are very busy places. What are you looking forward to in 2019?

No rest for us – we’ve already started Weapons School Class 19A, Red Flag 19-1 and 19-2 are right around the corner, our AMMOS (Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Operations Schoolhouse} just started a new course, Green Flag West, which is in full swing, all the while our new Thunderbird team is in the middle of the training season with a target to certify in mid-March. Whew! We are working on small changes to Red Flag…we want to get it back to its roots with shorter, more tactically focused Flags designed to increase a unit’s readiness for strike package-type operations. We are building a new course in the Weapons School concentration on high altitude intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. And in July, the Thunderbirds are headed to Colombia, which has not happened for years. In November, we’re hosting Aviation Nation at Nellis…our big open house and airshow. Finally, we are lucky to have great relationships with the Las Vegas community, from the city governments and elected officials, to the businesses downtown, and professional sports teams like the Vegas Golden Knights. We’re even talking with the future Las Vegas Raiders on how we might build a relationship as they move to the area.

No rest for us – we’ve already started Weapons School Class 19A, Red Flag 19-1 and 19-2 are right around the corner, our AMMOS (Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Operations Schoolhouse} just started a new course, Green Flag West, which is in full swing, all the while our new Thunderbird team is in the middle of the training season with a target to certify in mid-March. Whew!

We are working on small changes to Red Flag…we want to get it back to its roots with shorter, more tactically focused Flags designed to increase a unit’s readiness for strike package-type operations. We are building a new course in the Weapons School concentration on high altitude intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. And in July, the Thunderbirds are headed to Colombia, which has not happened for years.

In November, we’re hosting Aviation Nation at Nellis…our big open house and airshow. Finally, we are lucky to have great relationships with the Las Vegas community, from the city governments and elected officials, to the businesses downtown, and professional sports teams like the Vegas Golden Knights. We’re even talking with the future Las Vegas Raiders on how we might build a relationship as they move to the area.

The just a small chunk of the sprawling Nellis AFB flightline at night. , USAF

Do you have any other social media contests in mind for the future?

You’ll have to wait and see. I’m getting lots of ideas from my young folks, let me tell you!

Contact the author: Tyler@thedrive.com

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更新于美国东部时间2019年12月1日上午6:34

全新的假想敌涂装方案势必会吸引军事航空界的目光。我们“战区”网站一直密切关注着这类涂装。近年来，空军和海军都推出了令人惊艳的新涂装，其中许多都高度还原了美国一线飞行员在海外战区可能遇到的敌方战斗机的涂装。这些涂装有时横空出世，有时则只是传闻正在研发中。但此前从未有过通过社交媒体上的众筹活动选出的涂装方案，至少在此之前是这样。

这正是罗伯特·诺沃特尼准将过去几个月在Facebook账号上所做的。他没有像往常那样为第64假想敌中队的一架Block 32 F-16C/D“蝰蛇”战斗机内部设计新的涂装方案，而是动员Facebook上的粉丝，发起了一场别出心裁、却又非常成功且引人入胜的互动竞赛。最终，这架战机焕然一新，采用了美国最主要对手之一的涂装方案。“战区”（The War Zone）网站对此次竞赛进行了报道，您可以在这里阅读全文，这篇文章对整个过程进行了很好的介绍。

写完那篇文章后，我们一直关注着比赛的进展。比赛结束后，我们联系了诺沃特尼将军，他是负责内利斯空军基地和庞大的内华达试验训练场的著名第57联队的指挥官。他很乐意回答我们关于比赛、假想敌涂装的价值、他如何以如此独特的方式使用社交媒体、内利斯“联队之王”的生活是什么样的等等问题。

他的回答让我们得以独特地了解他所处的领导岗位，以及在信息并不总是自由流通的岗位上，如何真正亲力亲为地与公众打交道，这对所有相关人员来说都是一件好事。

第64假想敌中队的涂装传统上是如何选择的？

历史上，我们一直评估其他国家空军的飞机、战术和技术，以借鉴最佳实践或应对我们作战方式面临的新挑战。有时，这还包括伪装、掩护和隐蔽方法。很久以前，空战几乎总是依靠目视发现敌机，敌机的涂装方案可以通过两种方式为我方带来优势：一是延迟被发现，即与背景环境融为一体；二是掩盖敌机的方位角或距离，从而迷惑飞行员。因此，第64假想敌中队的涂装方案通常选自逼真的敌机涂装方案。这些方案的选择很大程度上依赖于我们俄罗斯和中国战斗机专家的意见。第64假想敌中队最近一次更新涂装方案是在2016年，当时我们引入了苏-35S“碎片”、苏-35S/苏-34“鲨鱼”（深灰色上部/浅蓝色下部）以及深灰色歼-20涂装方案。我们从处于或接近初始作战能力（IOC）的敌方平台上选择了这些方案。

历史上，我们经常评估其他国家空军的飞机、战术和技术，以寻找最佳实践或应对我们作战方式面临的新挑战。有时，这还包括伪装、掩护和隐蔽方法。很久以前，空战几乎总是依靠目视发现敌机，敌机的涂装方案可以通过两种方式为我方带来优势：一是延迟被发现，即与周围环境融为一体；二是掩盖敌机的方位角或距离，从而迷惑飞行员。因此，第64假想敌中队的涂装方案通常取材于逼真的敌机涂装。

涂装方案的选择很大程度上依赖于我们俄罗斯和中国战斗机领域专家的意见。第64期假想敌战机涂装方案的上一次更新是在2016年，当时我们推出了苏-35S“碎片”、苏-35S/苏-34“鲨鱼”（深灰色上部/浅蓝色下部）以及深灰色歼-20涂装方案。这些方案均选自已达到或接近初始作战能力（IOC）的假想敌战机平台。

是什么促使你到 Facebook 上发起投票活动，为该单位的下一个假想敌方案选拔成员？

我热爱这份工作，也热爱我们在内利斯空军基地所做的一切，所以我总是想抓住一切机会，向我们那些为国家做出卓越贡献的优秀男女官兵们致敬。社交媒体让我有机会直接与那些同样热爱军事航空的人们交流。我曾在英国皇家空军莱肯希思基地担任第48战斗机联队指挥官，当时我负责管理联队指挥官的Facebook主页，那段时光非常美好。我们与英国的接待方建立了非常融洽的关系，他们拥有一个充满活力的航空社群。或许您并不了解，但我认为拉斯维加斯是一座非常适合军事发展的城市。这里的人们早在二战前就与军事和民用航空结下了不解之缘。内利斯靶场和霍华德·休斯本人都看到了在当地开展航空业务的诸多益处。在我们的联队会议上，我提出了一个想法：在社交媒体上发布一些涂装方案的创意，看看能否得到一些反馈……剩下的故事你们都知道了！

我热爱这份工作，也热爱我们在内利斯空军基地所做的一切，所以我希望抓住一切机会，向我们那些为国家做出卓越贡献的优秀官兵们致敬。社交媒体让我有机会直接与那些同样热爱军事航空的人们交流。

我曾在英国皇家空军莱肯希思基地担任第48战斗机联队指挥官，当时运营联队指挥官的Facebook主页，那段时光非常美好。我们与英国的东道主建立了非常融洽的关系，他们拥有一个充满活力的航空社群。你可能不知道，但我认为拉斯维加斯是一座非常适合军事发展的城市。这里的人们早在二战前就与军用和民用航空结下了不解之缘。内利斯靶场和霍华德·休斯本人都看到了在当地开展航空业务的优势。在联队会议上，我提出了一个想法：在社交媒体上发布一些涂装方案的创意，看看能否得到一些反馈……剩下的故事你们都知道了！

诺沃特尼是一名战斗机飞行员，大部分时间驾驶F-15战斗机，在接管庞大的第57联队之前，他曾担任英国皇家空军莱肯希思基地第48战斗机联队的指挥官。

你们是如何组织这次比赛的？比赛反响是否符合预期？

我先收集了一些近期开源的新涂装图案图片，然后开始在我的指挥官Facebook主页上向粉丝们征集创意。同时，我也提出了一些要求，希望大家的想法能够切实可行且与主题相关。反响比我预想的要好得多。许多独特的图案涌现出来，甚至还有一些兼职艺术家联系我的主页，提交了他们自己的设计作品。有些很棒，有些则差强人意。经过筛选，我们最终确定了几个方案，并让粉丝们投票决定最终方案。

以下是一些投票表决的方案示例，出自第57联队指挥官的Facebook页面。

请您介绍一下最终选定的方案以及其他入围方案。您个人有没有特别喜欢的方案？

苏-57“数字鲨鱼”涂装赢得了比赛。说实话，它遥遥领先。我和“侵略者”战队都很喜欢这个获胜图案，但我同时也关注着一款苏-57“碎片鲨鱼”涂装，可惜它得票不多。我们之前担心比赛可能会出现偏差，但网站的粉丝们表现出色，而且我认为他们也确实想要一个既贴近现实又符合实际的涂装图案。

第57联队指挥官的Facebook页面

该涂装方案直接取材于俄罗斯苏-57战斗机目前正在使用的涂装。（俄罗斯国防部）

第 64 空中地面支援中队对这种为他们的 F-16C/D 战机选择涂装的新方式有何看法？

第64假想敌部队对全新的苏-57“数字鲨鱼”涂装方案感到非常兴奋。任何能够更好地模拟敌方战机的机会都值得欢迎，因为它为我们的职业假想敌部队提供了另一种训练作战人员在战斗中取胜的工具。

您是一位经验丰富的战斗机飞行员，驾驶过多种机型，但驾驶F-15的时间最长。鉴于您拥有丰富的实战经验，这些涂装真的对空战训练有影响吗？除了看起来很酷炫之外，它们还有什么实际用途？

是的，假想敌涂装不仅仅是为了耍酷。在《红鹰：美国的秘密米格战机》一书中，史蒂夫·戴维斯创造了“猎鹿狂热”（Buck Fever）一词。他将猎鹿狂热描述为新手猎人第一次用步枪瞄准鹿时所感受到的那种激动心情。红鹰飞行员将这一概念延伸到了空战中。弗朗西斯·“帕科”·盖斯勒少校曾说过：“我第一次看到米格-17时，就停止了驾驶飞机。”红鹰飞行员认为，在训练中让飞行员接触真正的米格战机是避免战斗中出现猎鹿狂热的唯一方法。虽然第64假想敌飞行中队并不驾驶真正的米格战机，但我们使用假想敌涂装来帮助降低猎鹿狂热的风险。基于这种具有威胁代表性的训练，我们的作战人员更有可能在交战中准确识别敌机，并最终将其击落！我知道，当我遇到一架涂装成这种样式的侵略者战机时，它一定会引起我的注意！

是的，假想敌涂装除了看起来很酷之外还有其他用途。在《红鹰：美国的秘密米格战机》一书中，史蒂夫·戴维斯创造了“猎鹿热”一词。他将猎鹿热描述为新手猎人第一次用步枪瞄准鹿时所感受到的那种激动心情。“红鹰”飞行员将这一概念延伸到了空战中。

弗朗西斯·“帕科”·盖斯勒少校曾说：“我第一次见到米格-17时，就直接停止驾驶飞机了。”红鹰飞行表演队认为，让飞行员在训练中接触真正的米格战机是避免战斗中出现“米格狂热症”（Buck Fever）的唯一方法。虽然第64假想敌飞行表演队并不驾驶真正的米格战机，但我们使用敌方涂装来降低“米格狂热症”的风险。基于这种具有威胁代表性的训练，我们的作战人员更有可能在交战中准确识别敌机，并最终将其击落！

我知道，当我遇到一架涂装成这种样式的侵略者战机时，它一定会引起我的注意！

泰勒·罗戈韦/作者

这个新方案什么时候才能面世？也会在你们的Facebook主页上公布吗？

我们正在努力制作，希望能在夏天之前完成。我们和公共事务团队的计划是拍摄一段延时视频，记录绘制这只鸟的实际过程，让所有粉丝都能看到他们努力的成果。发布会绝对不会悄无声息！

一架隶属于第64空中地面支援中队的蝰蛇战斗机正在进行重新喷漆。每架飞机大约每六年进行一次重新喷漆。您可以在我们之前的这篇文章中了解整个过程。

最近出现了一种趋势，即美国空军领导层与媒体和公众的直接互动有所减少。您在社交媒体上非常活跃，而且人们似乎很喜欢。您如何看待军方领导层以如此个人化和直接的方式利用Facebook、Twitter和Instagram等平台？

我看到不少美国空军人员都在积极参与社交媒体。空军总军士长卡莱斯·赖特是我的好朋友，他非常活跃于社交媒体。我的上司，空战司令部（ACC）司令迈克·霍姆斯将军也活跃在社交媒体上。第一特种作战联队前联队长托马斯·帕伦特上校在他的个人网站上也做得非常出色。我不确定大家是否不愿意参与社交媒体，或许只是有些人有时确实太忙了。我们确实需要谨慎发言和参与社交媒体的方式，但我认为社交媒体可以发挥巨大的价值。例如，在飓风“迈克尔”期间，我知道我们空战司令部和廷德尔空军基地的同事们在向公众传递事实方面做得很好。

第64假想敌中队最受欢迎的涂装之一是“碎片”涂装。这种涂装是在第65假想敌中队（该中队装备F-15C/D战斗机，并率先采用这种涂装）因本世纪初预算削减而解散后，第64假想敌中队的几架战机才换装的。您可以在我之前的文章中了解更多关于这一决定的信息。这种特殊的“碎片”涂装灵感来源于早期苏-35研发飞机的涂装。

作为声名显赫的第57联队的“联队之王”，您似乎非常享受您的工作。您发布了大量内容，展示了您与空军官兵一起前往轻武器靶场、与您指挥下的各个部队以及一些以内利斯空军基地为作战基地进行特殊训练的来访部队一起飞行。到目前为止，您最喜欢的经历是什么？

我喜欢和年轻的空军官兵们在一起，看着他们做出令人惊叹的事情。我也很喜欢听每个人讲述他们参军的缘由以及穿上军装后取得的成就。我觉得我能和联队的官兵们建立起联系，而由此获得的“真实信息”更是无价之宝。再加上偶尔还能驾驶战斗机飞越拉斯维加斯……这份工作简直完美。

诺沃特尼将军与空军同僚在轻武器靶场。（美国空军）

指挥这样一个规模庞大、成分复杂、作战任务繁多的部队，与您以往的任务有何不同？

我发现这个联队充满挑战，因为任务种类繁多。我们第57联队负责执行“红旗”军演，但我们的国际伙伴、盟友、作战部队以及总部都对“红旗”军演如何提升战备水平有着切身的利益。同样，武器学校为所有主要司令部培养武器军官，涵盖特种作战、机动作战、攻击和侦察等各个方面。此外，“雷鸟”飞行表演队是空军中最具知名度的组织，参谋长非常关注他们如何招募、留住和激励空军官兵。由于这些因素，以及任务的多样性和外部影响，我发现自己花费大量时间与高级领导和其他多个司令部打交道。

诺沃特尼将军乘坐C-130运输机机组人员，此次访问内利斯空军基地是为了体验只有这里才能提供的独特训练环境。——第57联队指挥官的Facebook页面

内利斯空军基地和附近的内华达州试验训练场非常繁忙。您对2019年有什么期待？

我们根本没时间休息——武器学校第19A期课程已经开始了，红旗19-1和19-2演习也即将到来，我们的高级维护和弹药操作学校（AMMOS）刚刚开设了新课程“绿旗西部”，目前正火热进行中，与此同时，我们新的雷鸟飞行表演队也正处于训练季的中期，目标是在三月中旬获得认证。呼！我们正在对红旗演习进行一些小的调整……我们希望它回归本源，采用更短、更注重战术的演习形式，以提高部队对打击群作战的战备能力。我们正在武器学校开设一门新课程，重点是高空情报、监视和侦察。七月份，雷鸟飞行表演队将前往哥伦比亚，这是多年来的第一次。十一月份，我们将在内利斯空军基地举办“航空国度”活动……这是我们的大型开放日和航展。最后，我们很幸运能与拉斯维加斯社区保持良好的关系，从市政府和民选官员到……市中心的商业区，以及像拉斯维加斯金骑士队这样的职业体育队。我们甚至正在与未来的拉斯维加斯突袭者队洽谈，探讨他们迁至该地区后，我们如何才能建立合作关系。

我们根本没时间休息——武器学校第19A期课程已经开始了，红旗19-1和19-2演习也即将到来，我们的弹药维护和高级操作学校（AMMOS）刚刚开设了新的课程——西部绿旗演习，而且正在如火如荼地进行中，与此同时，我们新的雷鸟飞行表演队也正处于训练季的中期，目标是在三月中旬获得认证。呼！

我们正在对“红旗”军演进行一些小的调整……我们希望它回归初心，缩短军演时间，更加注重战术，以提高部队执行打击群作战任务的准备水平。我们正在武器学校开设一门新课程，重点是高空情报、监视和侦察。此外，雷鸟飞行表演队将于7月前往哥伦比亚，这是多年来的首次。

11月，我们将在内利斯空军基地举办“航空国度”活动……这是我们的大型开放日和航展。此外，我们非常幸运地与拉斯维加斯社区建立了良好的关系，从市政府和民选官员，到市中心的商户，再到像拉斯维加斯金骑士队这样的职业体育队伍。我们甚至正在与即将迁至该地区的拉斯维加斯突袭者队洽谈，探讨如何与他们建立联系。

夜幕降临，这只是内利斯空军基地庞大飞行跑道的一小部分。（美国空军）

您未来还有其他社交媒体竞赛计划吗？

你等着瞧吧。我跟你说，我从我的年轻人那里得到了很多灵感！

联系作者：Tyler@thedrive.com

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