6/11/2009 - Fort Wayne IAP, IN -- The 122nd Fighter Wing's heritage jet will take its final flight today at the 122nd Fighter Wing before it is given to the Air Force Museum and subsequently kept on base as a static display.
Not only is this the final flight for the heritage jet, but it is also the Wing's final flight of the Block 25 F-16s, which will complete the 122nd Fighter Wing's conversion to the Block 30 F-16s.
This particular aircraft has served at the 122nd Fighter Wing since July, 1991, however, it first saw combat during the Gulf War while assigned to Hahn Air Base, Germany. Since becoming part of the Fort Wayne Air National Guard, it has also served with distinction in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, flying 124 combat sorties, accumulating over 580 hours of combat flight time, and expending over 10 tons of munitions during hostile action.
"The heritage jet was painted to honor the 122nd Fighter Wing's parent unit, the 358th Fighter Group, also known as the 'Orange Tails,'" said Col. Jeffrey A. Soldner, 122nd Fighter Wing commander. "We are pleased that it will remain at our unit as a symbol of service and heritage."
I tried and failed to sell a 1/18 BBI wolfpack here recently. Real glad I failed! I just need to find someone to custom paint my F-16 to match this bird
