Nellis Air Force Base (ICAO KLSV) is an active military air base in Nevada, United States, operated by the US Air Force. It has 2 runways (longest 3,084 m). Home to United States Air Force Warfare Center, the 99th Air Base Wing, the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group, the 57th Wing and 15 other units, flying A-10 Thunderbolt II, EC-130 Commando Solo, RC-135 Rivet Joint, F-15 Eagle.
36.2492°N, 114.9961°W · 570 m elevation
| Operating Country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Location | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Status | Active |
| Usage | Military only |
| Year built | 1941 |
| Operating Organization | US Air Force |
| Units |
United States Air Force Warfare Center99th Air Base Wing53rd Test and Evaluation Group57th Wing365th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group505th Command and Control Wing563d Rescue Group926th Wing820th RED HORSE SquadronJoint Center for Electromagnetic ReadinessNevada Test and Training RangeUnited States Air Force Thunderbirds66th Weapons Squadron8th Weapons Squadron17th Weapons Squadron16th Weapons Squadron433rd Weapons Squadron6th Weapons Squadron19th Weapons Squadron
|
| Elevation | 570 m (1,870 ft) |
| IATA code | LSV |
| ICAO code | KLSV |
| Runways |
03L/21R · 3,084 m (10,118 ft) · Concrete03R/21L · 3,064 m (10,052 ft) · Concrete
|
| Website | www.nellis.af.mil/ |
99th Air Base Wing
53rd Test and Evaluation Group
57th Wing
365th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group
505th Command and Control Wing
563d Rescue Group
926th Wing
820th RED HORSE Squadron
Nevada Test and Training Range
66th Weapons Squadron
8th Weapons Squadron
17th Weapons Squadron
6th Weapons Squadron
19th Weapons Squadron
Nellis Air Force Base is located in Clark County, Nevada. Established in 1941 as Las Vegas Army Airfield, the installation initially functioned as an aerial gunnery school. During World War II, the base conducted training for B-17, B-24, and B-29 gunners. The facility was renamed Las Vegas Air Force Base in 1948 and designated Nellis Air Force Base in 1950, honoring Lieutenant William Nellis. Management transferred from the Air Training Command to Tactical Air Command in 1958 and subsequently to Air Combat Command in 1992.
The base is operated by Air Combat Command, with the 99th Air Base Wing serving as the host unit. The primary tenant is the United States Air Force Warfare Center, which oversees advanced combat training for composite strike forces. Stationed units include the 57th Wing, the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group, the 505th Command and Control Wing, and the 926th Wing. The base also hosts the USAF Weapons School and the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron.
The installation encompasses approximately 4,600 hectares and is divided into three functional areas. Area I contains the airfield, command and support structures, and ramp space for up to 300 aircraft. Area II, situated northeast of the main base, houses the 820th RED HORSE Squadron and munitions storage facilities. Area III is located west of the main base and contains administration buildings and the Mike O’Callaghan Military Medical Center. Hosted aircraft include squadrons of A-10C, F-15C/D/E, F-16C/D, F-22A, and F-35A airframes. The base also operates HH-60G rescue helicopters and MQ-9A unmanned aerial vehicles. Operational capabilities are supported by the Combined Air and Space Operations Center-Nellis and the Nevada Test and Training Range ground systems.
General Atomics delivered one FQ-42 Vengeance uncrewed fighter to Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, on September 18, as the company says it is on track to build six a month and the Secretary of the Air Force expects at least 500 autonomous aircraft in service by 2032.
The US Air Force flew its last A-10C sortie from Davis-Monthan on 29 July 2026. GlobalMilitary.net inventories show the fleet has fallen from 287 aircraft in 2020 to 162, and the service's own schedule takes it to zero by 30 September 2030.
