Historic 44Th Fighter Group Activated at Holloman
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A monthly report on the F-22 Raptor Program www.f22-raptor.com May 2010 Historic 44th Fighter Group activated at Holloman By Airman 1st Class Sondra Escutia 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs 4/19/2010 - HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE Padilla for entrusting him with the as reservists,” Lindberg said. BASE, N.M. (AFNS) -- The Air Force mission of Air Combat Command’s Reserve Command’s 44th Fighter only Reserve F-22 Raptor unit. Behind the hundreds of guests in the Group offi cially stood up here April crowd sat two F-22 Raptors, one of 9 with an activation ceremony and He gave a heartfelt thanks to his large which was painted with a 44th FG tail passing of the historic group’s guidon. family in the audience and to those fl ash and one with a 301st FS tail fl ash. who were not able to make it, and Lindberg mentioned that these two tail The 44th Aircraft Maintenance stressed the importance of his family fl ashes symbolized the “partnership Squadron and 301st Fighter Squadron to his career. He also thanked Col. between the 49th Fighter Wing and the were activated also during the Jeffrey L. Harrigian, 49th Fighter Wing 44th Fighter Group.” ceremony as part of the fi ghter group. commander, for accepting the 44th FG as part of the Holloman family. He also gave mention to the Tuskegee Maj. Gen. Frank Padilla, 10th Air Airmen and 44th Bomb Group veterans Force commander, presided over the “I have to thank Colonel Harrigian – or as they were once called, “the fl ying ceremony. He addressed Holloman’s and my fellow group commanders eight-balls” – who sat in the audience. new citizen Airmen and spoke about because the fact is, they’ve adopted us (“Historic 44th” continues on page 3) the challenging nature of integrating Air Force active-duty and Reserve components that make up the Total Force Integration team. “Sometimes, TFI is just plain hard, but it is the hard that makes it great,” Padilla said. Despite its hardships, he said, the “three great commanders” who were chosen to stand up the units at Holloman have done an impressive job. The 44th FG, which began with four people in 2008, now employs 154 people and is slated to have an end strength of 330 people. “Congratulations to each and every one of you for what you’ve done to build this great Total Force Integration relationship out here at Holloman,” he said, facing the three commanders Col. Donald Lindberg (right) assumes command of the 44th Fighter Group from Maj. Gen. seated behind him. Frank Padilla, 10th Air Force commander, during an activation ceremony April 9, 2010, at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.. The 44th FG is the only Air Force Reserve organization After being passed the 44th FG to be selected to fl y and maintain the U.S. Air Force’s premier air superiority fi ghter, the guidon, Col. Donald Lindberg thanked F-22 Raptor. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman DeAndre Curtiss) M10-1109865-A001 Airmen bring earthquake relief, F-22 Raptor to Chile air show By Capt. Nathan D. Broshear Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs 4/21/2010 - DAVIS-MONTHAN than 17 hours to deliver two F-22 dedicated their time to making FIDAE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Air aircraft to the air show venue, Col. a special event for every group hosted Force members from the F-22 Jeffrey Harrigian, the 49th Fighter Wing by the U.S. Air Force. Raptor Demonstration Team; U.S. commander, and AFSOUTH planners Air Force Academy; Holloman handed over the equipment to be Shortly before the air show began, Air Force Base,N.M.; Texas Air transported south immediately to areas Airmen volunteered to take more National Guard; Air Forces Southern affected by the earthquake. than 40 orphans and at-risk youth to and others joined forces to bring Museo Interactivo Mirador, a world- earthquake relief and Air Force “Solidarity with the people of Chile renowned children’s museum, where airpower to the FIDAE (Feria guided our thought process,” said Col. the group spent the day learning about Internacional del Aire y del Espacio) Bryan Bearden, the Air Forces Southern science with fun hands-on displays. Air and Trade Show in Santiago, director of operations. “In addition to None of the children had ever been to a Chile March 23-28. being able to support the air and trade museum before, and the experience was show, Airmen from across the United truly heartwarming, said Maj. David Held shortly after the 8.8-magnitude States were able to support ongoing Skalicky, the F-22 Demo Team pilot. earthquake south of the Chilean earthquake relief operations with every capitol, the air show’s theme was mission headed to FIDAE.” “The best part of being in Chile for the “solidarity,” prompting FIDAE FIDAE air show is meeting the people participants to bring relief supplies “Equipment brought in by U.S. Air here,” he said. “This is an outstanding for earthquake victims on every Force aircraft was stored in a dedicated opportunity to provide positive role aircraft participating in the show. supply hangar at the air show site and models to the children we’ve met.... C-130s from the Texas Air National immediately moved from the capitol and to showcase our Airmen and their Guard and a C-17 from the 62nd Air to areas in need after aircraft arrived,” capabilities to FIDAE attendees during Wing at McChord Air Force Base added Bearden. the F-22 demonstration.” transported more than 95,000 pounds of relief supplies while en route to The F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team Some of the children received a the event. led the community outreach efforts, personal tour of the F-22 hangar and visiting local hospitals, children met the demo team. Later, the young Members of the 49th Fighter Wing from the Make a Wish Foundation, VIPs stepped on board the C-17 and at Holloman Air Force Base loaded TELETON and the ALDEAS SOS posed for photos with C-130 aircrews. pallets of supplies from New Mexico orphanage. While the demo team spoke hardware stores that were transported to dozens of international media outlets, The Airmen were clearly touched by via C-130 to Chile. After fl ying more Airmen from every unit participating the experience of meeting the Chilean children and sharing their love of airpower with each group. At the end of the event, Airmen donated more than $2,000 to the Make a Wish Foundation. “This personal donation will provide deserving children with once-in-a- lifetime experiences – much in the same way they provided us with life- long memories of our interaction with them,” added Skalicky. Also during the week, engineering students from the Catholic University in Santiago visited the show, toured the SANTIAGO, Chile -- Children from the Make a Wish Foundation pose with members of Air Combat Command’s F-22 Demonstration Team during the FIDAE air and trade aircraft and got a chance to exchange show in Santiago, Chile. The group toured Air Force displays, sat in the cockpit of cargo ideas with Air Force maintainers. aircraft and met with Airmen for several hours during the international event. Airmen Distinguished guests to the Air Force were so moved by their interaction with the young VIPs that at the conclusion of the displays also included the president of show, the Air Force delegation made a personal donation to the Make a Wish program. Chile and air chiefs from several Latin American air forces. M10-1109865-A001 2 This was the fi rst F-22 Raptor assigned to the 8th Fighter Squadron outside a hangar at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. The pilots and maintainers of the 8th FS will work hand-in-hand with the 7th Fighter Squadron until the unit deploys this summer. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman John D. Strong II) (“Historic 44th” continued from page 1) “We’ve got some phenomenal heritage humbled to be their commander, and The major said that the goal of the 44th sitting here beside you. Those who offered them a challenge. AMXS will be to provide to the fl ying sit there are highly decorated,” said squadrons combat-ready aircraft with Lindberg. “That’s a heritage, fl ying eight- “I take this job seriously,” Furman bombs, missiles and bullets so they can balls, that you guys are going to inherit.” said. “I will take care of you, and I will carry out the combatant commander’s lead you. Have no doubt in that. But I objective. After receiving his fi rst salute as 44th challenge each and every one of you. FG commander, Lindberg passed The challenge is to juggle three pieces “We are in the business of war, and we the 301st FS guidon to Lt. Col. Kent of your life: your military side, your must keep ourselves and our aircraft Furman. Furman echoed Lindberg’s civilian employer if you choose to do ready at all times,” he said. “The sentiments about the veterans who were so, and your family. It’s a fi ne balance.” 44th AMXS is on the right path. Its present, as the Tuskegee Airmen were members are patriots, citizen soldiers, originally associated with the 301st. Finally, Lindberg passed the last who provide a combat-ready force, guidon to Maj. William Magee, who who are well-trained and motivated. “I’m humbled and honored to be in the was charged with the responsibility of I’m honored to have the opportunity to presence of some great warriors, men leading the Airmen of the 44th AMXS serve beside them and to command this who faced not only on the ground but in support of maintaining the 49th FW’s great squadron.” in the air, insurmountable challenges, F-22 fl eet.