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Last four 119th FW F-16s leave Fargo base
January 16, 2007 (by
Asif Shamim) -
The last four F-16 Fighting Falcons of the North Dakota Air National Guard left their Fargo base and headed to the military bone yard in Arizona. On route the jets performed a final fly past of the state capital, Bismarck.
Fargo's F-16s were officially retired in October 2006 with a ceremony at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. The last flight on Tuesday coincided with the bases 60th anniversary.
Lt. Col. Brad Derrig, one of the 4 pilots who took the controls of his F-16 for the final time was quoted to have said "It's emotional. It's the end of an era, but as the military changes, we do what we have to do to remain relevant."
The Fighter Wing's mission is changing from Air Defence with the F-16 to flying Predator UAVs and C-21 transport planes. The change in role will be reflected in the unit designation, which will be changed from 119th Fighter Wing to 119th Wing. The nickname "Happy Hooligans" derived from a 1950s comic strip will remain however.
Most of Fargo's guard personel have retrained for the new mission. Some pilots continue to fly jets with other units. Others are learning to fly both the C-21 and Predator, including Lt. Col. Brad Derrig, one of the 4 pilots who flew the last F-16 mission from Fargo.
The 178th FS/119th FW "Happy Hooligans" flew more than 70,000 accident-free hours with the F-16.
F-16s from the North Dakota ANG's 119th FW get refueled by a 319th ARW KC-135 Stratotanker on January 16th, 2007 over North Dakota during their good-bye flight. [USAF photo by SMSgt. David H. Lipp]
Lt. Col. Brad Derrig, one of the 4 pilots who took the controls of his F-16 for the final time was quoted to have said "It's emotional. It's the end of an era, but as the military changes, we do what we have to do to remain relevant."
The Fighter Wing's mission is changing from Air Defence with the F-16 to flying Predator UAVs and C-21 transport planes. The change in role will be reflected in the unit designation, which will be changed from 119th Fighter Wing to 119th Wing. The nickname "Happy Hooligans" derived from a 1950s comic strip will remain however.
Most of Fargo's guard personel have retrained for the new mission. Some pilots continue to fly jets with other units. Others are learning to fly both the C-21 and Predator, including Lt. Col. Brad Derrig, one of the 4 pilots who flew the last F-16 mission from Fargo.
The 178th FS/119th FW "Happy Hooligans" flew more than 70,000 accident-free hours with the F-16.
Additional images:
Capt. Stephanie Kelsen pilots a North Dakota ANG F-16 alongside the first C-21 to join the 119th FW as it flies into Fargo IAP on January 10th, 2007. [USAF photo by SMSgt. David Lipp]
USAF F-16A ADF #82-0951 is flown by Col. Robert J. Becklund, Commander of the 119th FW to AMARC in Tucson on January 16th, 2007. This final flight is part of a 60th anniversary celebration of the ANG in North Dakota and a send-off of the aircraft. [USAF photo by SMSgt. David H. Lipp]
Four USAF F-16s from the 119th FW fly in formation near Bismarck, N.D., on January 16th, 2007. The aircraft are flying to the AMARC in Tucson where they will be retired. [USAF photo by SMSgt. David H. Lipp]
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