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Final flight for 120 FW F-16s
June 7, 2008 (by
Asif Shamim) -
F-16 block 30s belonging to the 186th FS, Montana ANG are making there final flights after serving the state for more than 20 years as they are being replaced by the F-15 Eagle.
The remaining few block 30 F-16s are still flying for now, but will be sent to there new home with the Vermont Air National Guard.
The phase out began when the fighter wing returned from its tour of duty in Iraq. Great Falls MAP currently has 2 F-16s at the base, while five others remain in Iraq.
Maj. Rick Anderson: "It's a big part of what we do up here, and for a lot of these pilots its the only aircraft they've flown. They are going to miss this aircraft."
As part of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) the Montana Air Guard (MANG) will receive 18 jets from the Missouri Air Guard. The first F-15s will arrive on August 15th and the transition should be completed by August 22nd.
Original plans from the Pentagon before the BRAC reversal was for the unit to lose its flying mission all together. The conversion to the Eagle will allow the MANG to continue to fly till 2025.
The phase out began when the fighter wing returned from its tour of duty in Iraq. Great Falls MAP currently has 2 F-16s at the base, while five others remain in Iraq.
Maj. Rick Anderson: "It's a big part of what we do up here, and for a lot of these pilots its the only aircraft they've flown. They are going to miss this aircraft."
As part of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) the Montana Air Guard (MANG) will receive 18 jets from the Missouri Air Guard. The first F-15s will arrive on August 15th and the transition should be completed by August 22nd.
Original plans from the Pentagon before the BRAC reversal was for the unit to lose its flying mission all together. The conversion to the Eagle will allow the MANG to continue to fly till 2025.
Additional images:
USAF F-16C block 30 #86-0309 from the 186th FS performs a combat mission in the skies over Iraq on March 5th, 2008. [USAF photo by TSgt. Jeff Stoermer]
Tail detail of USAF F-16C block 30 #87-0226 from the 186th FS adorned with the CC's markings spotted at Great Falls IAP in October of 2005. [Photo by Dirk A. Geerts]
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