The Department of the Air Force announced today its actions to consolidate the F-22 fleet. The secretary of the Air Force and the chief of staff of the Air Force determined the most effective basing for the F-22. This requires redistributing aircraft from one F-22 squadron to units at four F-22 bases. A second squadron will be relocated to an existing F-22 base.
The affected bases are:
Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.: Deactivate one squadron of F-22s and disperse that squadron’s aircraft to other F-22 units. Relocate the remaining squadron to Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.
Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska - receive six additional aircraft
Langley Air Force Base, Va. - receive six additional aircraft
Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. - receive two additional aircraft
Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. - receive one additional squadron
"This plan maximizes combat aircraft and squadrons available for contingencies," said Kathleen Ferguson, deputy assistant secretary for installations. "By consolidating aircraft at existing bases, F-22 operational flexibility is enhanced."
Teams surveyed four F-22 bases, evaluating them for feasibility, timing, cost, and planning purposes to accept additional F-22 aircraft. The secretary of the Air Force and the chief of staff of the Air Force carefully considered the site survey results and military judgment factors in making these basing determinations. These actions will be finalized subject to completion of appropriate environmental analysis.
As a result, the base losing their F-22s is gaining an F-16 training mission.
The secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force announced today the transition of Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., to the F-16 training mission.
The Air Force determined that Holloman has the capacity to accept two F-16 training squadrons and offers ability to synergize training activities with MQ-1/9 training occurring on the same base.
Transitioning Holloman to F-16 training stabilizes an enduring training mission and capitalizes on the existing airspace and range complex.
Implementation of this action is subject to completion of appropriate environmental analysis.
By: Brant
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