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First F-16s of the 188th FW depart for reassignment
October 19, 2006 (by
Asif Shamim) -
The first pair of F16s of the 184th FS departed on the 17th for there new assignment with the 144th FW, California ANG.
The 188th FW are giving up their 17 F-16s after flying them for 18 years from Fort Smith Regional Airport. The 'Flying Razorbacks' are beginning a new mission and converting to A-10 Thunderbolt II. 18 of which are due to arrive from Massachusetts ANG's 104th FW, currently based out of Barnes AFB in Westfield.
The change is part of the realignment announced in August 2005 by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC). The original intention was to do away with the 188th, but fierce representation by local state, federal & military officials changed the commissions mind. This change of heart paved the way for the A-10 transition to proceed.
The departure was supposed to consist of 3 ship formation, which quickly became 2, when one F-16 developed mechanical problems and missed its departure time. It is believed this jet departed yesterday 18/10.
Col. Kevin Wear, commander of the 188th was quoted as saying 'the departure was historic because it heralded the end of one mission and the beginning of the next'.
The F-16s are scheduled to flow out beginning in October, about two or three a month, through April of next year, at which time the first of our A-10s will arrive on the base to begin our mission', Wear said. Only 7 of the F-16s are due to go to Fresno to join the 144th, the rest will be retired from active duty.
End of an era. Special schemes like this never to be seen again.
The change is part of the realignment announced in August 2005 by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC). The original intention was to do away with the 188th, but fierce representation by local state, federal & military officials changed the commissions mind. This change of heart paved the way for the A-10 transition to proceed.
The departure was supposed to consist of 3 ship formation, which quickly became 2, when one F-16 developed mechanical problems and missed its departure time. It is believed this jet departed yesterday 18/10.
Col. Kevin Wear, commander of the 188th was quoted as saying 'the departure was historic because it heralded the end of one mission and the beginning of the next'.
The F-16s are scheduled to flow out beginning in October, about two or three a month, through April of next year, at which time the first of our A-10s will arrive on the base to begin our mission', Wear said. Only 7 of the F-16s are due to go to Fresno to join the 144th, the rest will be retired from active duty.
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- 188th Fighter Wing gets new commander (2006-06-29)
- USAF BRAC plans to retire 178 F-16s - 15 bases affected [Detailed List] (2005-05-20)
- F-16 Fighting Falcon news archive
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