F-16 at Davis-Monthan?

[Luis R. Ramos]

I was looking at an air photo of Davis-Monthan just now, and it seems there are at least 80 F-16 stored there. I did not know the Air Force had phased out  that many. Can anyone comment on how many F-16 squadrons have been phased out or transitioned to the next generation of fighters?

By the way, can anyone also comment on how many squadrons are still flying...

...the F-16?

...the F-15?

Flyer

[Pylon]

174th FW NYANG transitioned from the F-16 to the MQ-9 Reaper.  Not sure if their aircraft were decommissioned or redistributed elsewhere or sold.

[arajca]

IIRC, the F-16A and F-16B have been retired or modified.

My sqdn/cc is a former F-16 pilot. He was depressed when he about the QF-16. (CSM Story)

QF-16 Ceremony

[LTC Don]

The F-16s (and other mil aircraft) are produced in 'blocks', which are generational.  The current 'block' of F-16s are Block 40 or even Block 60.  The early Blocks of F-16s have aged out and as noted are being turned into drones/target aircraft, much to the chagrin of the Lockheed people.


F-16 versions:
http://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions.html


The historic 4th Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro NC is still flying the F-15E Strike Eagle (and before that, the F-4E Phantom).  Four squadrons - 333rd, 334th, 335th, and 336th Fighter Squadrons respectively.

The last three units noted above are the original 'Eagle Squadrons', formed during WWII and part of the original 4th Fighter Group. The 4th has been stationed continuously at Seymour since the 1960s.

4th Wing history:
http://www.seymourjohnson.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-081030-011.pdf

Of note, Lt Col Nicole Malachowski is stationed at Seymour as commander of the 333rd F-15E training squadron.  I had the honor of meeting this dynamic young woman while giving a presentation to the local Order of the Daedalians about CAP. 

[Flying Pig]

I knew her as a cadet.  Her last name was Ellingwood.  Even back then she talked about becoming a Thunderbird pilot.   Everyone said "Yeah, OK.... chicks cant even be fighter pilots."

[jimmydeanno]

NASA still has the F16XL

[SarDragon]

Here's another one for you - the F/A-18 is a 30 year olde platform.

[Flying Pig]

The 144th Fighter Sq, CA Air National Guard flies the F16. Based at March ARB and Fresno Yosemite Airport.

[unmlobo]

The 144th Fighter Sq, CA Air National Guard flies the F16. Based at March ARB and Fresno Yosemite Airport.

I can vouch for that, I do the TAF and weather warnings for March ARB.  Marine layers suck there.

[a2capt]

At MARB, are you sure that's not SMOG?

[unmlobo]

At MARB, are you sure that's not SMOG?

After a year of forecasting for MARB, yeah I am sure BR is mist from the marine layer.  Might be a little smog but in the TAF all I write is BR or FG. 

[Flying Pig]

I was a cadet with Sq45 at March.  I remember working the airshows and at teh end of the day juust having a burning feeling in my chest from the smog.  One year the Thunderbirds cancelled their show because the smog reduced visibility to less than 3 miles.   Appareantly you cant do an airshow in IFR conditions..... weenies!   And believe me.... it was because of the smog, not fog.  Unless fog forms on 100 degree afternoons in the summer.

[unmlobo]

We can't put smog in TAFs but I will ask the WX flight there tonight.

[PHall]

At MARB, are you sure that's not SMOG?

You don't get SMOG at midnight. SMOG requires sunlight to be formed, and there's not a whole lot of sunlight at midnight.
At least not at 34 degrees North.

[a2capt]

Where did I say anything about darkness?