On January 12, 2023, the 354th Fighter Wing of the United States Air Force was presented with its first two F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft by the Alabama-based Dannelly Field Air National Guard Base.
When they arrive in 2023, these aeroplanes will be the first to replace the ones that the 18th Aggressor Squadron is now flying.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Chad Richards, who serves as the deputy commander of the 354th Operations Group, the Air Force is increasing the capabilities of the existing Aggressor fleet to capitalise on expenditures made by the National Guard. He stated that this would bring extra capability and realism so that the aircraft and pilots being trained at the JPARC (Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex) will have a better enemy and be able to train against a threat of a higher grade.
During exercises like RED FLAG-Alaska, the enhanced avionics of the aircraft allow the Aggressors to mimic sophisticated threats and provide realistic training to aircrews from the Department of Defense and partner nations. Eielson serves as a centre for advanced airpower operations training. It does so with the more than 75,000 square miles of airspace included in the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex.
According to Richards, the upgraded aircraft will improve their efforts and provide even more advantageous training for all USAF partners and allies.
“We’re able to offer unparalleled training, both to the United States Air Force, our joint partners, as well as many partner nations across the Pacific. I’m looking forward to seeing what the Aggressors get to do with them and how we make our Air Force stronger,” he said.
In Montgomery, Alabama, the 187th Fighter Wing is home to a squadron of F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft. The USAF decided that the 187th Fighter Wing would be the one to get the F-35A Lightning II aircraft in the year 2020. Following a process that lasted for three years, Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett signed a record of decision that designated the 187th Fighter Wing as one of the next two locations to receive an F-35A Lightning II fleet to replace its ageing F-16 jets. The other location will receive an F-35A Lightning II fleet. The Red Tails will continue to fly the F-16 aircraft assigned to the wing until the first F-35 is expected to arrive at Dannelly Field in 2023. The 23,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art operations centre will house simulator bays, SCIF spaces for debriefing, and other F-35 facilities.
