Forum: F-16 News

Headquarters agreement outlines active-duty, Reserve fighter association

by 2nd Lt. Beth Woodward and Kari Tilton
388th FW and 419th FW

4/18/2007 - HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- A historic agreement was signed into place April 16, finalizing the association between the 388th Fighter Wing and 419th Fighter Wing here.

The Commander of Air Combat Command, Gen. Ronald E. Keys, and the Commander of Air Force Reserve Command, Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the way ahead for Hill's fighter wings, which will begin flying and maintaining a shared F-16 fleet this summer.

Total Force Integration between the Reserve 419th FW and the active duty 388th FW is the Air Force test case for future fighter associate programs. The MOU provides a framework for how the two wings will organize and operate.

Hill's fighter wings will associate as part of the Air Force's TFI initiative, which aims to increase combat capabilities and efficiencies among like units while capitalizing on the high experience levels of Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard personnel.

"TFI has truly made us one team, one fight, one Air Force," said Col. Robert Beletic, 388th FW commander. "With the great Americans of the 419th FW, we now train, deploy and execute the mission as a more experienced and combat-capable force."

"Our reservists are typically older, highly experienced and offer long-term continuity of daily operations at Hill," said Col. Gary Batinich, 419th FW commander. "The TFI association will help maintain aircrew and maintenance expertise and experience levels by capitalizing on the active duty Air Force investment in training while exploiting the resident experience of our Reservists.

2 fighter wings at Hill to share an F-16 fleet

Two fighter wings at Hill Air Force Base have signed what officials are calling a "historic" agreement to fly and maintain a shared F-16 fleet starting this summer.

On Monday the commanders of the 388th and 419th fighter wings signed a memorandum of understanding that the Air Force considers its test case for future "fighter associate programs," laying the foundation for how the two wings at Hill will organize and operate, Hill officials said in a press release.

Col. Robert Beletic, commander of the 388th, said both wings operating jointly will mean they can train, deploy and execute their missions as "a more experienced and combat-capable force."