Sun, Jan 14, 2007
119th Fighter Wing Transitioning From F-16
The 'Happy Hooligans' of the 119th Fighter Wing based in Fargo,
ND received their first C-21 aircraft January 10. The aircraft
marks the unit's transition from the F-16 Fighting Falcon, to the
C-21 and MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle.
"The Happy Hooligans have proven themselves as the best of the
best in every mission they have been assigned," North Dakota
Governor John Hoeven said. "The C-21 mission along with the new
Predator mission will ensure that the North Dakota Air National
Guard continues to play a vital role in the security of our state
and nation."
"The 119th Fighter Wing will receive a total of eight C-21
aircraft and will be experiencing the largest transformation in
their 60-year history," said Army Maj. Gen. David A. Sprynczynatyk,
the state's National Guard adjutant general. "Personnel have been
training diligently for the past year to ensure that they are
prepared for these new missions that will ensure that our Air
National Guard remains relevant and vital to the defense of the
nation."
"The Happy Hooligans
have prepared for the C-21 by having trained pilots and maintenance
personnel ready to work on these aircraft," said Col. Robert
Becklund, 119th Fighter Wing commander. "I am confident that we
will continue to perform with the high standards and impressive
work ethic that the Hooligans are already well-known for in the
fighter community."
The C-21 aircraft is considered a "bridge mission" until
approximately 2010, when it is expected to be replaced by the new
joint cargo aircraft.
UAV operations are expected to begin at the Fargo base around
March 2007. North Dakota will be one of five states where Air Guard
units will operate the unmanned aerial vehicles; others are Texas,
California, Arizona and New York.
(Aero-News salutes 1st Lt. Penny Ripperger, North Dakota Air
National Guard)
More News
Omnidirectional Approach Lighting System ODALS consists of seven omnidirectional flashing lights located in the approach area of a nonprecision runway. Five lights are located on t>[...]
"Polaris Dawn, the first of the program’s three human spaceflight missions, is targeted to launch to orbit no earlier than summer 2024. During the five-day mission, the crew >[...]
Also: 1800th E-Jet, Uncle Sam Sues For Landing Gear, Embraer Ag Plane, Textron Parts A friend of the family reported that Lt. Col. (Ret.) Richard Glenn Rutan flew west on Friday, M>[...]
Also: Virgin Galactic, B-29 Doc to Allentown, Erickson Fire-Fighters Bought, FAA Reauthorization After dealing with a big letdown after the unexpected decision by Skyreach to disco>[...]
“Our aircrews are trained and capable of rapidly shifting from operational missions to humanitarian roles. We planned to demonstrate how we, and our BORSTAR partners, respond>[...]