ACC’s William Tell Air-to-Air Weapons Meet returns in 2026

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  • Air Combat Command Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. (AFNS) --  

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 34th Fighter Generation Squadron compete in a weapons load competition

Airmen assigned to the 34th Fighter Generation Squadron compete in a weapons load competition during William Tell at Savannah Air National Guard Base, Ga., Sept. 12, 2023. Over the years, William Tell has earned its reputation as the pinnacle of air-to-air combat competitions and remains the driving force behind advancements in aerial warfare tactics, technology and training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kaitlyn Ergish)
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Air Combat Command’s William Tell Air-to-Air Weapons Meet is scheduled to take place March 6–15, at the Air Dominance Center in Savannah, Georgia. The competition brings together the best fighter and operations teams from across the Total Force — active duty, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard.

“Iron sharpens iron” as F-35 Lightning II, F-22 Raptor, F-15 Strike Eagle and the newly added F-16 Fighting Falcon aircrews unite as intelligence, maintenance and command and control Airmen are pushed to solve problems quickly, ensuring lethal precision when it matters most.

An F-22 Raptor takes flight.

An F-22 Raptor assigned to the 27th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., takes off during the 2023 William Tell competition at the Savannah Air National Guard base in Savannah, Ga., Sept. 11, 2023. The return of William Tell signifies not only a celebration of the past but also a testament to the future of air superiority. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Rufus)
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For more than 50 years, William Tell stood as the ultimate crucible of air superiority excellence, challenging elite teams to push the boundaries of skill, innovation and teamwork in demanding air-to-air combat scenarios. After a two-decade hiatus, the competition was resurrected in 2023 to reinforce the U.S. Air Force’s commitment to modernization, readiness and dominance in the face of emerging threats.

Marking the 80th anniversary of ACC’s direct lineage from Tactical Air Command, William Tell returns in 2026 to exemplify the U.S. Air Force’s unwavering dedication to readiness, lethality and the human element that drives air superiority. New to this iteration, WT26 will feature all U.S. Air Force modern fighter platforms. The addition of the F-16 ensures a seamless partnership of technology and experts, forming a lethal team capable of dominating contested environments.
The William Tell 2026 logo.

Shown is the William Tell Air-to-Air Weapons Meet 2026 logo. Scheduled to take place March 6–15 2026, at the Air Dominance Center in Savannah, Ga. The competition brings together the best fighter and operations teams from across the Total Force — active duty, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Tech. Sgt. Matthew Coleman-Foster)

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“Air superiority is inherently human. It is forged by the grit, precision and professionalism of our Airmen,” said Brig. Gen. Brian Laidlaw, ACC director of operations. “William Tell is an opportunity for ‘iron to sharpen iron,’ driving our Airmen to evolve, solve problems quickly, strengthen their bonds and demonstrate lethality under pressure in a realistic environment. This competition brings our legacy of risk-taking, innovation and excellence through today, ensuring we remain ready to dominate and prevail.”

By bringing together the unmatched capability, resilience, and precision of Airmen with cutting-edge technology, William Tell showcases how the U.S. Air Force will “fight to the merge and win.”