F-16 from Hill AFB to get new homes as training aircraft

air-to-air · by **air-to-air** » 30 May 2017, 12:28

Boman wrote:Strange that the 24th TASS is not listed under the official 57th wing units then?
http://www.nellis.af.mil/Units/57-WG/

As for the Vipers supposedly assigned to 24th TASS, just about all carry the 4FS markings and still flies with this unit, so still don't understand why these are logged as "belonging" to the 24th TASS, a still non-existing unit?

From this environmental report dated April 2017 it is fairly clear that the TASS under discussion is still in the future. It isn't even numbered yet (although 24th is a good suggestion)
http://www.nellis.af.mil/Portals/104/Do ... 201742-717

It seems the unit will officially be activated in fy18, but assets, airmen and mechanics are already assigned to Nellis AFB.

yukbil · by **yukbil** » 30 May 2017, 12:34

There is a photo of 88-0457 with HO tail code on aviationcorner site.

Boman · by **Boman** » 30 May 2017, 17:41

Thanks both.

To me it is very strange that a unit "stands up" without formal activation for 12+ months? There is no logic to it, even in budget times.
The file I linked to dated April -17 also indicates that it will take between 12-24 months to make the necessary preparations for a new squadron at Nellis, further supporting my position on this?

yukbil · by **yukbil** » 31 May 2017, 07:24

I think you're right, Boman. What I found peculiar is that new squadron will be based on Nellis and/or Holloman, where PW powered Vipers are based, but Hill Vipers are GE powered. AFAIK, USAF never assigned both GE and PW powered Vipers to the same base on the grounds of logistics.

LinkF16SimDude · by **LinkF16SimDude** » 01 Jun 2017, 00:55

yukbil wrote:I think you're right, Boman. What I found peculiar is that new squadron will be based on Nellis and/or Holloman, where PW powered Vipers are based, but Hill Vipers are GE powered. AFAIK, USAF never assigned both GE and PW powered Vipers to the same base on the grounds of logistics.

Yeah. If they'd go anywhere it be Kelly for sure. Tucson supported the UAE E/F's so they'd have a legacy with GE motors. But Luke and Holloman? :shrug:

ghettobird · by **ghettobird** » 01 Jun 2017, 18:17

How many of the birds are slated to join the 31st FW ?

Didn't think they would be beefing that one up any further than it already was , over there would be a physical limitation to how many birds you can actively park with a set number of HAS's

Boman · by **Boman** » 01 Jun 2017, 22:10

yukbil wrote:I think you're right, Boman. What I found peculiar is that new squadron will be based on Nellis and/or Holloman, where PW powered Vipers are based, but Hill Vipers are GE powered. AFAIK, USAF never assigned both GE and PW powered Vipers to the same base on the grounds of logistics.

Given that 88-0457 carried HO tailcodes, the 54FG would be the first unit I know of to have both GE and PW engined squadrons.
Other than this case, you never see the USAF/ANG/AFRC mix blocks, engines and versions into the same unit.

Boman · by **Boman** » 01 Jun 2017, 22:14

ghettobird wrote:How many of the birds are slated to join the 31st FW ?

88-0462 recently transferred to the 510FS 31FW, carrying new style tail band in the process. Quite nice the new tailband actually

air-to-air · by **air-to-air** » 02 Jun 2017, 06:38

On 9 February F-16CMs 88-0460, 88-0462 and 88-0521 went to Aviano. 88-0460 to 555th, 462 and 521 to 510th.
In exchange F-16DMs 90-0777, 90-0795 and 90-0796 went to Holloman on 23 February

Jon · by **Jon** » 02 Jun 2017, 13:32

Boman wrote:
yukbil wrote:I think you're right, Boman. What I found peculiar is that new squadron will be based on Nellis and/or Holloman, where PW powered Vipers are based, but Hill Vipers are GE powered. AFAIK, USAF never assigned both GE and PW powered Vipers to the same base on the grounds of logistics.

Given that 88-0457 carried HO tailcodes, the 54FG would be the first unit I know of to have both GE and PW engined squadrons.
Other than this case, you never see the USAF/ANG/AFRC mix blocks, engines and versions into the same unit.

Maybe worth checking, but did Edwards or Eglin ever operate both motors at any point?

ghettobird · by **ghettobird** » 02 Jun 2017, 18:17

Boman wrote:
ghettobird wrote:How many of the birds are slated to join the 31st FW ?

88-0462 recently transferred to the 510FS 31FW, carrying new style tail band in the process. Quite nice the new tailband actually

Any pics of this new tail band anywhere??

dragracingmaniac · by **dragracingmaniac** » 03 Jun 2017, 06:03

Jon wrote:
Boman wrote:
yukbil wrote:I think you're right, Boman. What I found peculiar is that new squadron will be based on Nellis and/or Holloman, where PW powered Vipers are based, but Hill Vipers are GE powered. AFAIK, USAF never assigned both GE and PW powered Vipers to the same base on the grounds of logistics.

Given that 88-0457 carried HO tailcodes, the 54FG would be the first unit I know of to have both GE and PW engined squadrons.
Other than this case, you never see the USAF/ANG/AFRC mix blocks, engines and versions into the same unit.

Maybe worth checking, but did Edwards or Eglin ever operate both motors at any point?

Yes, at one time we had 4 different motors (GE -110, -129, PW 220E, -229) Don't know what they have now, I left Edwards 19 years ago.

Boman · by **Boman** » 05 Jun 2017, 16:13

ghettobird wrote: Any pics of this new tail band anywhere??

http://www.airfighters.com/photo/192394 ... n/88-0462/

air-to-air · by **air-to-air** » 06 Jun 2017, 08:41

89-2072/HL was transferred to Osan,. Noted in June 2017 still in full 4th FS markings.

EOR · by **EOR** » 19 Jul 2017, 04:26

finally marked the first of the ten Hill jets that went to Nellis with WA codes, 88-0486 as 57 OG
https://www.flickr.com/photos/eor1/3562 ... ateposted/