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20 Tactical Years

Founded in 2005, Tactical Air Support has been dedicated to Serving Those Who Serve through advanced tactical development and training for over twenty years.

Our History

Inception

Tactical Air Support was formed in Reno, Nevada in 2005 by a close group of former Navy, Marine and Air Force Weapons School Instructors and test pilots. Since day one, Tactical Air has been committed to translating their vast experience into training value for our active forces.

Tactical Air began flight operations using L-29 aircraft out of Inyokern, CA, focused on supporting Navy flight test efforts. Early on, we pioneered the idea of increasing readiness while reducing operational costs—a mission that still drives us today.

L-29 aircraft in on tarmac with flight crew leaning on wing

2007-2008

First Contracts, International Ops, and the Origins of ACES

We expanded our fleet to include MiG-15/17 aircraft and secured our first DoD consulting contract with Navy Warfare Development Command—laying the foundation for our ACES program. That same year, we relocated to Reno-Stead Airport and began SU-27 flight operations abroad, gaining operational credibility and critical experience in international aircraft operation and import.

Vintage SU-35 aircraft on runway with waving employee in front

SU-35 aircraft on runway preparing to takeoff

Super Tecano aircraft on runway with propeller in front

F5 loading onto transport aircraft with crane in front

Formation of F5 aircraft in flight over water

2010 01 / 05

Going to Sea and Flying for the Guard

Tactical Air secured its first long-term contract with the California Air National Guard, rapidly deploying UAV chase support aircraft within days. At RIMPAC, we flew every assigned sortie—more than any active, reserve, or contract unit—demonstrating elite readiness and reliability. In a first for Tactical Air, we transported our aircraft via opportunity lift on a Navy ship, and embedded with our Navy and Marine brethren for eight weeks underway.

2012 02 / 05

Launching Close Air Support

We expanded into CAS missions using Super Tucanos, L-29s, and SF-260TP aircraft. Our flight teams supported Army and Air Force customers with NVG integration, inert ordnance delivery, and sensor-based targeting through 2018. Close air support sorties continued until 2021.

2013-2014 03 / 05

Global Training and the F-5 Era Begins

We began tactical flight training overseas, supporting the Botswana Air Force using CF-5D aircraft. By 2014, our F-5 fleet grew to five, setting the stage for a global expansion in fighter operations.

2017 04 / 05

Strategic F-5 Acquisition

We acquired the Royal Jordanian Air Force’s fleet of 21 F-5E/F aircraft and 7,000+ parts. This major import operation helped solidify our long-term role in F-5 sustainment and modernization.

2018-2019 05 / 05

Building the F-5AT and Winning Supersonic Contracts

We launched the F-5AT (Advanced Tiger), establishing our Technology Development team and integrating cockpit upgrades, radars, and commercial-military hybrid systems. We also won the Navy’s 4th-gen adversary services contract and began USAF operations at Kingsley Field.

2020

The First Digital F-5N+ and the Origin of the AIM Program

The Navy selected Tactical Air to digitally upgrade prototype F-5N aircraft. This effort led to the creation of our MRO Services Business Unit, which would evolve into our current AIM (Aircraft Integration & Modernization) division.

2021-2022

Rapid Growth Across Domains

We were awarded the ARTEMIS contract to upgrade 22 former FMS F-5s and expanded ACES into deployable advanced training teams. We also conducted international F-16 training and established a permanent presence at Cecil Airport in Jacksonville, FL.

a black and white background with red lines

2023

F-5 Expansion and the Birth of TALON

Tactical Air Support secured new commercial adversary contracts for both Navy and Air Force. We acquired a major cache of F-5 parts and aircraft from an international ally and launched TALON (Tactical Air Logistics Network) to support global F-5 sustainment and sales.

Onward

Delivery of the first fleet F-5N+ to the Marines

2025 marked the delivery of our first fleet F-5N+ to the U.S. Marines through the AIM program.

Expansion into additional training markets

Flight Ops expanded into additional training markets, platforms, and services, now delivering supersonic, passive jam-and-shoot capabilities.

Building TALON
‍

Import phases complete, now a major corporate contributor to revenue providing planes and parts to DoD, allied militaries, and civilian companies.

What makes all of this possible isn’t just our strategy—it’s our team. From engineers and maintainers to pilots, program managers, and veterans of the world’s most elite squadrons, Tactical Air’s strength is our people. Their expertise, discipline, and commitment to the mission have taken us from a startup in a rented hangar to a global leader in tactical aviation services.

The future of Tactical Air is already in motion—and it’s being built by the best in the business.

Meet the Team

TIMELINE

Precision. Power. Partnership.

Tactics, training, and test support—delivered by the best in the business. Get in touch to learn how we can support your mission.