TWO F-16S prepare to leave for South Dakota. They are the first of 24 that will transfer out of Hill Air Force Base during the 2010 fiscal year as part of the U.S. Air Force’s combat restructuring plan.
They’re among 24 jets set to be transferred or retired as part of the Air Force’s Combat Air Force Restructure Plan.
The pair of Block 40 F-16 jets were reassigned to the South Dakota Air National Guard at Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls, according to an announcement by Hill Air Force Base.
The Air Force plan calls for 259 aircraft to be retired, including 138 F-16s, 112 F-15s and nine A-10s.
The cost savings of $3.5 billion over the next five or so years is earmarked to modernize Air Force fighters and bombers, procure munitions favored by joint war fighters and fund “critical intelligence and other enabling technology,” base officials said. Forty-eight F-16s are to be kept at Hill, spread over two squadrons. With the departure of 24 F-16s, the 34th Fighter Squadron known as the “Rude Rams,” will be inactivated this summer.
In addition, 617 military positions will be realigned from the 388th Fighter Wing across the Air Force.
The 419th Fighter Wing will realign 35 traditional reservists, part-time, and 10 Air Reserve Technician (full-time) positions.
“This restructuring plan will allow the Air Force to covert our inventory of legacy fighters into a smaller, but flexible and more lethal fifth-generation of fighters,” said Col. Scott Zobrist, 388th FW commander.
“The 388th FW, 419th FW and Hill AFB will continue to be mission ready, supporting both homeland and overseas contingency operations,” he added.
tbusselberg@davisclipper.com
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