The USAF Gunsmoke competition was a premier air-to-ground gunnery and bombing competition hosted by the United States Air Force (USAF). It was designed to test the combat readiness and precision strike capabilities of Air Force fighter units. The competition was primarily held at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, and included a variety of aircraft types from different fighter wings.
Gunsmoke began in 1949 as an air-to-ground counterpart to the William Tell air-to-air competition. The competition’s primary focus was ground attack, bombing accuracy, and strafing proficiency. Gunsmoke was held biennially (every two years) for much of its history, though there were gaps and changes over time. Aircraft Types that participated Included F-4 Phantom II, F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 Thunderbolt II, and other USAF fighter-bombers. Participating units competed in bombing accuracy, strafing, rocketry, close air support (CAS), and overall combat effectiveness.
Notable Competitions
1981: The first official modern Gunsmoke competition at Nellis AFB after a long hiatus.
1983: Featured F-4E, F-16A, A-10A, and F-111F aircraft. The 388th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) from Hill AFB, Utah, won the overall team title.
1985: Continued with similar aircraft, further emphasizing precision strike tactics.
1989: One of the largest Gunsmoke events, featuring 20 teams from Tactical Air Command (TAC), Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), and U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE).
1991: Included F-15E Strike Eagles, marking a shift in USAF doctrine toward more multirole fighter-bombers.
1993: The last major Gunsmoke event before the competition was discontinued.
End of Gunsmoke
By the mid-1990s, Gunsmoke was phased out, partly due to budget constraints and a shifting focus toward real-world combat operations and large-scale Red Flag exercises at Nellis AFB. Many of the skills tested in Gunsmoke were integrated into regular training events, reducing the need for a dedicated competition.
Legacy
Gunsmoke helped refine USAF ground-attack tactics during the Cold War and early post-Cold War years. Many of its concepts were later incorporated into Red Flag and Green Flag exercises. The competition fostered unit camaraderie and professional excellence among USAF fighter crews.
Gunsmoke Photos













