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Plan affects Reserve fighter units in 3 states

  • Published
  • By Public Affairs
  • Air Force Reserve Command
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga --  If approved, Air Force Reserve Command units in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah will change missions under an Air Force fighter transition plan announced in July.

All of the affected units are classic associate units that provide reservists to fly and maintain Regular Air Force aircraft and equipment.

The plan includes preferred alternative basing for the F-35 Lightning II and transfer of F-16  Fighting Falcon and F-22  Raptor flying missions. If the plan is approved, F-35 aircraft basing would begin in the summer of 2013.

At Hill AFB, Utah, the Regular Air Force's 388th Fighter Wing shares its F-16s with the Reserve's 419th FW. They would continue their associate partnership if the 388th FW becomes an F-35 combat-coded wing.

Luke AFB, Ariz., is the Air Force's preferred F-35 training location.  The base is home to the Air Force Reserve's 944th FW, which supports the Air Force F-16 fighter-training unit and its four squadrons. Under the plan, half of the F-16 training mission at Luke AFB would move to Holloman AFB, N.M., to make room for F-35 training aircraft.

"By partnering in the F-35 training mission at Luke AFB, the Air Force Reserve will be part of the foundation of the Air Force's leading-edge fighter program," said Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr., AFRC commander. The Air Force Reserve will stay in the F-16 training program at Luke AFB with a cadre of experienced instructors to continue training new F-16 pilots, who are still in high demand.

Also under the plan, one F-22 squadron at Holloman AFB would move to Tyndall AFB, Fla. The other squadron would disband and the aircraft would be distributed to other bases.

"This plan stabilizes the F-22 fleet with the least disruption in combat availability," General Stenner said. "The Air Force Reserve will continue to play an integral role flying and supporting the F-22 as we demonstrate our flexibility to support total force requirements."

If approved, two F-16 training units would move to Holloman AFB to take advantage of the base's training airspace, ranges and support facilities. Holloman AFB would not lose an Air Force Reserve presence if the F-22s move. Reservists from the 44th Fighter Group would remain in place and would be joined by members of the 944th to support and conduct F-16 flight training.

"These Holloman actions posture the Air Force Reserve for more joint-training opportunities," General Stenner said. "The decision marries a critical training mission with an outstanding installation. We're excited to be a key element in these moves."