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Hooligans set safety record for flying... once again
March 7, 2006 (by
Lieven Dewitte) -
Pilots for the North Dakota Air National Guard's 119th Fighter Wing in Fargo set a record of 70,000 hours of accident-free flying.
The record was established Monday during a practice air defense scramble mission from the state Guard Alert Detachment at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.
No other Air National Guard F-16 Fighter squadron has flown more than 50,000 hours without a crash or serious accident, according to the release.
The Hooligans will be honored during a special celebration Saturday at the 119th Fighter Wing.
The Wing was awarded the General John J. Pesch Flight Safety Trophy in 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004. Prior to flying the F-16, the 178th FS flew 51,609 hours with the F-4 and 20,000 with the F-101, all accident free.
The last time a North Dakota Air National Guard airplane was destroyed was in March 1973. when two F-101 fighters collided during a training flight. One plane returned to Fargo, while the second plane crashed near Fessenden. All four crew members survived.
Lt Col Dana S, Mullenhour, assigned to the 178th FS, North Dakota ANG receives a water salute, as she taxies F-16A ADF #82-1006 onto the flight line at Fargo, ND, following a record setting mission. The Unit has surpassed the 60,000 accident-free flying hours mark in the aircraft overall, and has amassed over 132,400 hours without a Class A mishap, covering more than 30 years. [USAF photo by SMSgt David H. Lipp]
No other Air National Guard F-16 Fighter squadron has flown more than 50,000 hours without a crash or serious accident, according to the release.
The Hooligans will be honored during a special celebration Saturday at the 119th Fighter Wing.
The Wing was awarded the General John J. Pesch Flight Safety Trophy in 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004. Prior to flying the F-16, the 178th FS flew 51,609 hours with the F-4 and 20,000 with the F-101, all accident free.
The last time a North Dakota Air National Guard airplane was destroyed was in March 1973. when two F-101 fighters collided during a training flight. One plane returned to Fargo, while the second plane crashed near Fessenden. All four crew members survived.
Additional images:
An F-16 (#82-0967) takes off during a practice scramble at Langley Air Force Base, Va., Monday, March 6, 2006. The 119th Fighter Wing has marked 70,000 hours of accident-free flight. No other wing within the Air National Guard has flown this duration without a class A or B aircraft mishap. [U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Austin Knox]
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- Fargo officials to lobby Defense Department on 119th "Happy Hooligans" FW (2004-10-04)
- Happy Hooligans win General J.J. Pesch Flight Safety Trophy (2004-09-23)
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