WEAPONS INSTRUCTOR COURSE (WIC) WEEK 22 / 2026

At Leeuwarden Air Base the prestigious Weapons Instructor Course (WIC) has officially started, bringing together some of Europe’s most elite military personnel for one of the continent’s highest-level tactical training programs.

A total of 25 carefully selected participants from Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands and Norway have begun the demanding course, which is organized by the Weapons School of the 323 Air Combat Development Centre (ACDC). The program trains fighter pilots and operational specialists to become top-level tactical leaders within NATO operations.

Selection for the WIC is highly competitive. Only the very best candidates are chosen to take part in the intensive training, which combines advanced academic studies with complex operational mission planning and execution.

This week marks the start of the academic phase in Leeuwarden, where participants build the tactical and theoretical foundation required for the course. In the coming months, the focus will shift towards the flying phase, where theory and real-world operational scenarios come together during challenging exercise missions.

After the summer, the program will continue in Norway, where the students will participate in a large-scale final exercise. Successful completion of the course earns them the highly respected qualification of Weapon Instructor.

This year’s course also sees participation from Danish Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, further strengthening international cooperation and tactical integration between NATO air forces.

The importance of the Weapons Instructor Course has become increasingly clear in today’s rapidly changing security environment. Ongoing tensions across Europe and the Middle East, including the war in Ukraine and growing geopolitical instability, underline the need for NATO nations to remain prepared for any scenario. As part of NATO, maintaining highly trained tactical leaders remains a key priority for European air power.

For aviation enthusiasts, the start of WIC once again promises an exciting period of international military flying activity featuring some of NATO’s most advanced aircraft.