Page 18 - Aerotech News and Review – September 12, 2025

18 September 12, 2025
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19th AF immersion highlights Morris ANGBs prowess
AEROTECH NEWS
by Staff Sgt. Guadalupe Beltran
Morris ANGB, Ariz.
Maj. Gen. Gregory Kreuder com- mander 19th Air Force, and Chief Master Sgt. Keith Scott, command chief 19th Air Force, completed an immersion tour of Morris Air National Guard Base, Ariz., Aug. 19, 2025, to gain firsthand under- standing of the wing’s commitment to excellence.
The visit underscored the crucial role of the 162nd Wing in advancing 19th Air Force’s commitment to preparing for combat, producing skilled aviators, developing mission-ready Airmen, and transforming training methods.
“When it comes to how we train our future warfighters throughout the 19th Air Force, consider what sustained winning in a high-end fight looks like from an Airpower perspective,” Kreuder said. “Draw a line backwards from this, through our Allies and partners, through our nation, our Department of Defense, our Air Force, Air Education and Training Command, 19th Air Force, and finally down to our wings that train our future warfighters. This is where Airpower starts and winning begins ... right here with the outstanding men and women at the 162nd Wing.”
A key aspect of the visit was observ- ing the 162nd Wing’s impact on pro- ducing the next generation of aviators for America and its Allies. As the Air National Guard’s premier F-16 training unit, the 162nd plays a critical role in supporting global airpower. The immer- sion allowed 19th Air Force leadership to witness the innovative training methods and dedicated professionals that make this possible, setting new benchmarks in aviation training.
During their visit, Kreuder and Scott gained insight into the unique capa- bilities of the Propulsion and Jet Engine Intermediate Maintenance section. Un- like most units, the 162nd operates two separate shops dedicated to servicing General Electric and Pratt & Whitney engines. This dual-engine configuration allows simultaneous maintenance on both engine types, significantly reduc- ing turnaround times and increasing mission capable rates. By maintaining two fully equipped support sections, the Wing sustains unmatched flexibility to support multiple F-16 block versions and diverse mission requirements.
The Depot Level and Phase mainte- nance section showcased the periodic inspections that keep the 162nd Wing’s aircraft mission ready. With a standard- ized process, Airmen complete each phase in an average of 28 calendar days. During these inspections, maintain- ers take ownership of the aircraft from the flightline, perform all required hourly and calendar inspections, replace
Air National Guard photographs by Staff Sgt. Guadalupe Beltran
The 19th Air Force and 162nd Wing leadership team gather to receive an update on F-16D aircraft 379 at Morris Air National Guard Base, Ariz., Aug. 19, 2025. Aircraft 379, critical for student pilot training, underwent depot-level maintenance, averting a year long delay and saved millions of dollars. This initiative exemplifies the 162nd Wing’s commitment to efficient resource management in support of the 19th Air Force mission to produce the next generation of aviator
LEFT: From left: U.S. Air National Guard Master Sgt. Stacey Rodriguez, 162nd Jet Engine Intermediate Maintenance supervisor, Maj. Gen. Gregory Kreuder, commander 19th Air Force, and Chief Master Sgt. Keith Scott, command chief 19th Air Force, discuss aircraft engine maintenance at the Jet Engine Intermediate Maintenance section at Morris Air National Guard Base, Ariz., Aug. 19, 2025. While most units only have one engine type, the 162nd JEIM has a dual configuration that supports simultaneous maintenance on both General Electric and Pratt & Whitney engines. By sustaining two fully equipped support sections, the wing maintains unmatched flexibility to support multiple F-16 blocks and diverse mission requirements.
components as needed, and conduct functional checks. Upon completion, the aircraft is returned to the flightline, ready for operational use. The 162nd Wing’s ability to quickly return aircraft to service is vital for producing the flying hours necessary to train fighter pilots.
As part of the immersion visit, Kreud- er and Scott also viewed aircraft 379, a D-model F-16 critical to student train- ing. This aircraft, revitalized through a strategic partnership with the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regenera- tion Group, exemplifies the 162nd Wing’s resourcefulness. By leveraging depot- level capabilities, the Wing avoided a year-long delay and saved millions of dollars, ensuring a crucial training asset remained available for current and future generations of fighter pilots.
The tour also included a visit to the
Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center, a tenant unit at Morris ANGB. The AATC serves as the Air Reserve Component’s primary test and evaluation center, responsible for operational and developmental testing, tactics development, and evaluation for all ARC weapons systems. This allows them to find solutions to transform the Air Force by focusing on improving Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve capabilities.
The 162nd Wing’s high level of ex- pertise is a key factor in its success, stemming from both its seasoned main- tenance personnel and its highly experi- enced instructor pilots. The maintainers at the 162nd Wing average more than 16 years maintenance experience, with 15 years specifically on the F-16. The 162nd instructor pilots possess more than 2,250
F-16 flying hours and more than 1,500 instructor hours. This combined depth of knowledge is invaluable for keeping the aircraft flying, training the next genera- tion of maintainers, and producing the world’s best fighter pilots.
“Despite being a smaller base, our global impact is significant,” said Col. Brant Putnam, commander, 162nd Wing. “As a guard unit, we have roots in the community. Our pilots and maintainers stay put more than is possible for active- duty forces, so the unit is better equipped than most to retain experienced person- nel and field a stable team of pilots and maintainers.”
The immersion visit reinforced the im- portance of Morris ANGB as a key asset within the 19th Air Force, contributing significantly to national security and the readiness of the Total Force.