Exercise marks ‘end of era’ for Reserve wing

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christi Wright
  • 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UT --  About 50 Air Force Reserve Command fighter pilots joined 419th Fighter Wing pilots in a training exercise here June 2-4.

Jets and pilots from Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Texas, and the Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Fla., joined 466th pilots in a Large Force Employment at the Utah Test and Training Range.

The exercise tested the pilots' abilities to employ tactics against enemy aircraft and also commemorated the last time many of these pilots will fly together.

"This exercise was unique in that it marked the end of an era for the 419th Fighter Wing, much like the THUD OUT fly-in in the 80's, this was our last opportunity for all F-16 Reserve Wings to fly into Hill. Our initial date had to be moved due to the Hill AFB air show, so the showing was not as big as we would've liked. " said Lt. Col. Chris Funk, the wing's Operations Group commander.

The 419th FW will lose its fleet of F-16s to the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Texas and Homestead AFB as part of the Air Force's Base Realignment and Closure efforts.

Total Force Integration will combine the Air Force Reserve's 419th FW with the active duty 388th FW to produce greater, more effective combat capabilities.

The 419th jets are slated for departure in the fall of 2007 at which time the Reserve wing's pilots will begin flying 388th FW aircraft.

An alumni banquet was also held to honor past 466th Fighter Squadron members. About 100 people attended the banquet which was held at the Hill Aerospace Museum. Banquet attendees took a look back at the 419th FW's history and its role in supporting Air Force operations while reminiscing on old times.

"It was nice to bring back those who have come before, to commemorate, and catch up," said 419th Commander Col. Gary M. Batinich, keynote speaker at the banquet. "It's important to look forward to the goals and challenges that lie ahead, but it's also important to look back on where we've been and how far we've come.