Tactical Air Support
Tactical Air Support, Inc. (Tactical Air) is a private American defense contractor specializing in tactical aviation services for the U.S. military and allied forces. Founded in 2005 by Rolland C. Thompson, the company is headquartered at Reno-Stead Airport in Reno, Nevada.[1] The company provides a range of services, including air operations training, adversary air support, joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) training, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) chase operations, and consulting in fighter/attack and electronic attack aviation. Tactical Air operates a fleet of aircraft for these purposes and maintains a subsidiary, TacAir Global Corp., focused on international training programs. As of 2025, it employs approximately 300 personnel, many of whom are former military pilots.[2][3]History
Founding and Early Years
Tactical Air Support was founded in 2005 in Reno, Nevada, by Rolland C. "RC" Thompson, a retired U.S. Navy captain and former commanding officer of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), along with a group of ex-military aviators from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force.[4][5] Thompson, who had accumulated over 26 years of service as a naval aviator, established the company to deliver advanced tactical aviation training and support services to military clients.[5] The headquarters was initially set at Reno-Stead Airport, a facility well-suited for aviation operations due to its expansive runways and proximity to military training areas in Nevada.[6] The company's initial focus centered on providing commercial air services, including flight training and advisory support, to the U.S. military and allied forces. Operations commenced in 2008, marking the start of active flight activities with an emphasis on realistic combat scenario simulations.[7] Early efforts prioritized Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) training, where ground controllers practice coordinating close air support strikes, alongside basic flight operations to build proficiency in tactical maneuvers.[2] These services leveraged the founders' expertise in adversary tactics and weapons school instruction to offer cost-effective, high-fidelity alternatives to traditional military-led exercises.[4] A pivotal early achievement came in 2008 when Tactical Air Support became the first non-governmental entity outside of Sukhoi to operate the Su-27 Flanker, a Soviet-era twin-engine fighter known for its supermaneuverability. The acquisition involved two demilitarized Su-27UB trainers sourced from Ukraine, which underwent FAA certification and overhaul processes to enable civilian use.[7] Company pilots, including Gerald S. "Spud" Gallop, received specialized instruction in Russia to qualify as instructor pilots on the type, allowing initial training missions that simulated advanced threat scenarios for U.S. forces.[8] This capability quickly positioned the company as a unique provider of red air adversary training, enhancing JTAC exercises by introducing realistic high-performance adversary simulations.[7]Expansion and Key Milestones
Following its establishment, Tactical Air Support expanded its operations internationally in 2013 by securing a contract to provide F-5 refresher training to the Botswana Air Force, marking the company's entry into African markets.[4] In 2017, the company significantly bolstered its adversary air capabilities through the acquisition of 21 F-5E/F Tiger II aircraft from the Royal Jordanian Air Force, along with over 7,000 parts, which more than doubled its F-5 fleet.[4][9] The following year, Tactical Air Support was awarded a five-year, $106.8 million contract by the U.S. Navy to deliver airborne threat simulation services using F-5 Advanced Tiger aircraft, enhancing its role in naval training exercises.[10] A major growth milestone occurred in 2022 when the company received its largest contract to date—a $265 million agreement focused on adversary training—to upgrade the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps fleet of F-5 Tiger II aircraft for advanced threat simulation.[11] In 2023, Tactical Air Support was selected by the U.S. Navy for the next Naval Aviation Warfare Development Center (NAWDC) Red Air task order, providing adversary air fighter jet services to support naval aviation training in Fallon, Nevada.[12] The company's domestic presence strengthened in 2024 with a U.S. Air Force contract for fighter pilot training services at two locations—Hill Air Force Base in Utah and Eglin Air Force Base, Florida—under the broader Combat Air Force Support initiative, with operations commencing in October.[13][14][15] In 2025, Tactical Air Support underwent a key leadership transition as founder and CEO RC Thompson retired on June 30, transitioning to the board of directors after nearly two decades of guiding the company's growth.[16]Operations and Services
Training Services
Tactical Air Support provides comprehensive Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) training programs for U.S. and allied military forces, utilizing live aircraft to simulate close air support (CAS) scenarios. These programs employ platforms such as the Embraer A-29 Super Tucano and Marchetti SF-260TP, which carry light inert ordnance like Mk-76 practice bombs to replicate realistic ordnance delivery in day and night operations, including night vision goggle (NVG) missions and infrared (IR) marker targeting.[17] Conducted under Public Aircraft Operations on Department of Defense ranges like Fort Bragg, these simulations enhance JTAC proficiency in coordinating airstrikes near ground forces, with expandable sortie capacities to support multi-aircraft engagements.[17] The company's flight training emphasizes adversary tactics, enabling military pilots to practice intercept profiles and threat replication through dedicated aggressor operations. Utilizing a fleet of over 20 upgraded F-5 aircraft, these sessions deliver military-grade realism at sites such as Naval Air Station Fallon for the Navy's NAWDC Red Air Program and Air Force CAFCAS exercises, fostering tactical decision-making in contested environments.[15] Additionally, Tactical Air Support conducts UAV chase operations to support unmanned aerial vehicle testing and integration, providing safe escort and visual oversight during flight trials with high-performance manned aircraft.[18] Pilot proficiency training focuses on tactical scenarios, including advanced maneuvers and mission rehearsal, to maintain combat readiness for U.S. forces. Specialized programs mirror the intensity of TOPGUN and Weapons School curricula, delivered by over 50 former military instructors from elite programs like the U.S. Navy Weapons School and USAF Test Pilot School. These initiatives cover tactics development, network-enabled weapons employment, and electronic warfare integration, tailored for platforms such as the F-35 and F/A-18, with on-site support at key locations including Nellis AFB and MCAS Yuma.[19] Leveraging combat-seasoned expertise, the training emphasizes weapons-school-caliber instruction to evaluate and refine advanced fighter operations.[19] International training initiatives extend these capabilities to allied air forces, notably through F-5 operations for the Botswana Defence Force. Beginning in 2013-2014, Tactical Air Support delivered refresher and tactical flight training using CF-5D aircraft, building partner-nation proficiency in fighter operations and sustainment.[4] These programs, part of broader global efforts, incorporate customized curricula to align with foreign military requirements while adhering to U.S. defense standards.[20]Air Support and Adversary Services
Tactical Air Support delivers adversary air services, commonly referred to as Red Air, to simulate enemy threats in training exercises for the U.S. Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.[15] These operations utilize a fleet of over 20 F-5 Tiger II aircraft flown by experienced aggressor pilots to replicate realistic intercept profiles and advanced threat tactics, enhancing the combat readiness of U.S. forces.[15] For the U.S. Navy, the company supports the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC) Red Air Program at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada, under a multi-year task order awarded in 2023 that extends through 2028 and ensures high-fidelity adversary simulations for fleet training.[21] In parallel, Tactical Air Support contributes to the U.S. Air Force's Combat Air Force Contracted Air Support (CAF CAS) program, providing contracted Red Air at bases like Hill Air Force Base, Utah, including a 2024 deployment of F-5 Advanced Tiger aircraft to augment live-fly training across multiple fighter units.[22][23] For the U.S. Marine Corps, the firm modernizes F-5N+ aircraft configurations to sustain adversary support roles in joint exercises.[24] Beyond manned adversary simulations, Tactical Air Support conducts UAV chase and escort missions to safeguard and monitor unmanned aerial vehicles during testing and operational flights.[4] A key example includes their long-term contract with the California Air National Guard's 163rd Reconnaissance Wing, where they deploy chase aircraft for daily support of MQ-9 Reaper (Predator) operations, ensuring safe integration into controlled airspace.[25] These missions involve piloted aircraft shadowing UAVs to provide visual oversight, rapid response to anomalies, and coordination with air traffic control, thereby facilitating the expansion of unmanned systems in military applications.[4] Logistics and maintenance support are integral to Tactical Air Support's air operations, enabling seamless execution of missions through the Tactical Air Logistics Network (TALON).[26] TALON serves as a global hub for F-5 aircraft sustainment, managing an extensive inventory of airframes, J85 engines, fuel systems, and ground equipment to deliver repair, overhaul, and parts distribution services.[26] This infrastructure supports rapid deployment capabilities, allowing the company to surge resources for time-sensitive exercises by prepositioning maintenance teams and spares at forward locations.[26] In large-scale events, such as Pacific theater simulations, these integrated services ensure operational continuity and high aircraft availability rates, drawing on the fleet's versatility for multi-role adaptability.[4]Consulting and Engineering
Tactical Air Support provides consulting services to military aviation communities, leveraging combat-seasoned experts to advise on tactical doctrine development, threat simulation strategies, and program management for U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force operations.[19] These advisory roles include on-site support at key bases such as NAS Whidbey Island, MCAS Miramar, and Nellis AFB, where the company delivers expertise in tactics refinement and integration of electronic warfare systems to align with fleet requirements.[19] For instance, Tactical Air Support advises on peer-level threat simulations that enhance warfighter readiness while reducing dependency on expensive assets like the F-35, enabling more cost-effective training scenarios.[19] In engineering services, the company offers electrical, mechanical, and aerospace engineering solutions focused on aircraft integration, including avionics upgrades and sustainment planning for platforms such as the F-5 used by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.[27] This encompasses CAD/CAM design and analysis, flight test planning and execution, and technical program management through dedicated Program Management Offices to ensure rapid system integration and advanced threat replication.[27] Field support extends to advanced mission systems, providing hands-on assistance for operational testing at locations like Edwards AFB and MCAS Yuma.[27] Additionally, Tactical Air Support supports U.S. and allied forces with logistics, distribution, and operational efficiency initiatives, including software configuration sets and mission data systems like DTD/DTU and TTNT to streamline aviation sustainment and distribution processes.[19] These efforts contribute to overall program efficiency by integrating emerging technologies.Fleet
Aircraft Inventory
Tactical Air Support maintains a diverse fleet tailored for adversary air training, close air support simulations, and utility roles, enabling realistic threat replication for U.S. military customers. The inventory emphasizes cost-effective, high-performance aircraft capable of supporting advanced tactics in both air-to-air and air-to-ground scenarios. As of 2025, the fleet totals approximately 35-40 aircraft, with the majority dedicated to aggressor and training missions.[15][4] The following table summarizes key aircraft types, estimated quantities, and primary roles based on operational assets:| Aircraft Type | Quantity | Primary Role |
|---|---|---|
| F-5E/F Tiger II (including CF-5D/F-5B variants) | 20+ | Core Red Air adversary training, simulating advanced fighter threats with high maneuverability and weapons simulation capabilities. Acquired from the Royal Jordanian Air Force in 2017.[4][15] |
| A-29 Super Tucano | Several | Light attack for close air support simulations, including night vision goggle operations and inert ordnance delivery in low-threat environments.[4][17] |
| L-39 Albatros | Several | Jet trainers for basic adversary roles and light attack, supporting introductory tactics and reconnaissance training.[4] |
| SF-260TP and SM-1019 | Several | Lighter turboprop aircraft for UAV chase, utility support, and cost-effective close air support with aerobatic performance and weapons pylons.[4][17] |
| Mooney M20E and Cirrus SR20 | Several | General aviation platforms for support, flight training, and logistics in non-combat scenarios.[15] |