September 2, 2007: The Swiss Air Force has flown one of its F-18 jet fighters to the United States, so that new electronic upgrades could be tested. The Swiss needed use of the test facilities at the White Sands (New Mexico) Missile Range to perform the tests, and insure that the upgrades work as they should. There is no such are in Switzerland for firing missiles like this. Moreover, the U.S. can provide drones (UAVs used for target practices) that accurately represent an enemy jet.

Many foreign nations, that lack suitable training areas in their own countries, send aircraft and pilots to the United States (and Canada) where there are plenty of wide-open-spaces for testing and training.