Moody AFB, Gowen ANGB will Replace Thunderbolts with Lightnings, Falcons

The Department of the Air Force named two new aircraft assignments for some of its frontline fighters, with Moody AFB in Georgia set to receive active-duty F-35As, and Gowen Field ANGB of Idaho to transition to the F-16.

Moody AFB will begin accepting 2 squadrons of F-35A Lightning IIs in 2027, which will require base personnel to swell by about 500 personnel. As plans stand today, the Air Force plans to retire 54 A-10 Thunderbolt IIs - if approved, 6 of the aircraft will be divested out of Moody AFB in fiscal year 2024, with the remaining aircraft divesting by 2028. The Department of the Air Force will conduct an environmental analysis before moving forward with the plans. That should be complete by 2025.

A similar thing will take place at the Gowen Field Air National Guard Base of Idaho, where an A-10 unit will begin to retire its existing aircraft and begin the transition to the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The first aircraft should begin arriving in spring 2027, after the completion of its own environmental analysis.

FMI: www.af.mil