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Newer F-16s extend 301st mission to 2030
by Master Sgt. Julie Briden-Garcia
301st Fighter Wing
10/11/2013 - NAVAL AIR STATION FORT WORTH JOINT RESERVE BASE, Texas – Newer F-16s transferred from the Air National Guard will allow the 301st Fighter Wing here to continue their flying mission through 2030.
The last of nine low-flying-hour F-16s arrived Oct. 8 from the 177th Fighter Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard to replace eight F-16s the 301st is transferring to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., better known as the “Boneyard.”
“These moves help us keep our Air Force’s critical F-16 capability here in Fort Worth deep into the next decade,” said Brig. Gen. Ronald “Bruce” Miller, 301st FW former commander.
The new jets arrived with about 10 percent fewer hours per airframe.
“The aircraft we received have an average of 5,700 flying hours. The aircraft that we are sending to AMARG average almost 6,300 flying hours,” said Chief Master Sgt. Scott Jongewaard, 301st Maintenance Group superintendent.
“Swapping those nine aircraft provides the wing with more than 12 years average per aircraft, said Jongewaard. “Our entire fleet is estimated to last now until 2030.”
When the jets arrived in Fort Worth, they required some work to become deployment ready. Jongewaard explained they need to complete maintenance that was previously deferred since these airframes were expected to go to the boneyard.
The chief said modifications, including engine swaps, will be made to the new jets to bring them up to standard.
“This was a lot of work and took a lot of coordination on our wing’s part, 10th Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command and the 177th FW. In the end it is well worth it. This finally gives us the extra time needed until a new airframe is put into service for the 301st Fighter Wing,” he said.
Source: http://military-online.blogspot.com/2013/10/newer-f-16s-extend-301st-mission-to-2030.html
