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USAF celebrates 25 years of the F-16
January 30, 2004 (by
jetmech) -
Hill Air Force Base's 388th Fighter Wing celebrated the 25th anniversary of the F-16 "Fighting Falcon" today. In fact, the 388th was the first to fly the aircraft operationally, back in 1979.
The festivities took place all day in Hangar 37 and included a flight simulator, aircraft on display, including an original F-16A that first arrived at Hill and information booths.
The celebration was open to everyone on base ? military, civilians and family members, as well as special guests invited from the community.
Everyone who flies, fixes, maintains or supports the F-16 today, or over the past 25 years was part of the celebration.
The 388th Fighter Wing was the first unit in the Air Force to receive the operational F-16 on Jan. 16, 1979. Since then the F-16 has been the focal point of the wing. "We're a small wing? and everything we do focuses on flying and fixing the F-16 and supporting its mission. This includes our range squadron, which provides this world-class capability to do our training on a daily basis and to keep us prepared to go to combat," said Colonel Charles Lyon, Wing Commander of the 388th.
When the 388th first received the F-16, it was initially intended to be a lightweight fighter, said Colonel Lyon. It was designed to fly predominantly in daytime during clear weather.
"Well, we've gone almost 180 degrees out from that; where we're also now a nighttime fighter," he said. "We fly under the cover of darkness, in bad weather and we have weapons that allow us to get bombs on targets in all kinds of conditions."
The F-16 is here to stay for quite some time, and the Air Force continues to make modifications to the F-16s to keep it relevant for current infantry support. More modifications are on the way over the next couple of years, which will enhance the maintainability and sustainability.
"The 388th Fighter Wing was the first to fly the F-16 25 years ago and it's the birthplace of the F-16s operational flying. Over those 25 years there have been many milestones, including winning the Worldwide Gunnery Competition two times, participating in Operation Desert Storm, the first Iraqi war and deployments to Operation Northern Watch and Southern Watch. This also includes our most recent deployments back again to the Southwest Asia region for Operation Iraqi Freedom and doing probably our most important mission ? homeland defense, protection of the president, vice president and our nation's leadership ? and Operation Noble Eagle" said Colonel Lyon.
The celebration was open to everyone on base ? military, civilians and family members, as well as special guests invited from the community.
Everyone who flies, fixes, maintains or supports the F-16 today, or over the past 25 years was part of the celebration.
The 388th Fighter Wing was the first unit in the Air Force to receive the operational F-16 on Jan. 16, 1979. Since then the F-16 has been the focal point of the wing. "We're a small wing? and everything we do focuses on flying and fixing the F-16 and supporting its mission. This includes our range squadron, which provides this world-class capability to do our training on a daily basis and to keep us prepared to go to combat," said Colonel Charles Lyon, Wing Commander of the 388th.
When the 388th first received the F-16, it was initially intended to be a lightweight fighter, said Colonel Lyon. It was designed to fly predominantly in daytime during clear weather.
"Well, we've gone almost 180 degrees out from that; where we're also now a nighttime fighter," he said. "We fly under the cover of darkness, in bad weather and we have weapons that allow us to get bombs on targets in all kinds of conditions."
The F-16 is here to stay for quite some time, and the Air Force continues to make modifications to the F-16s to keep it relevant for current infantry support. More modifications are on the way over the next couple of years, which will enhance the maintainability and sustainability.
"The 388th Fighter Wing was the first to fly the F-16 25 years ago and it's the birthplace of the F-16s operational flying. Over those 25 years there have been many milestones, including winning the Worldwide Gunnery Competition two times, participating in Operation Desert Storm, the first Iraqi war and deployments to Operation Northern Watch and Southern Watch. This also includes our most recent deployments back again to the Southwest Asia region for Operation Iraqi Freedom and doing probably our most important mission ? homeland defense, protection of the president, vice president and our nation's leadership ? and Operation Noble Eagle" said Colonel Lyon.
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