Page 13 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, Sept. 1 2017

Thunderbolt News September 2017 13
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Black Sheep reactivate after six years
Story and photo by Airman 1st Class ALEXIS DOCHERTY
49th Wing Public affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. — A pilot strides forward, his green flight suit a stark contrast to the pale blue of a desert morning sky.
An insignia circled in gold and don- ning a sheep with a wool coat black as night is stitched atop his right breast.
He hikes up a ladder, hands gripping steel and hops into the cockpit of an F-16 Fighting Falcon.
The Black Sheep have returned.
The 8th Fighter Squadron was reac- tivated Aug. 4 at Holloman Air Force Base six years after its last inactiva- tion May 13, 2011, as part of the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke AFB.
Lt. Col. Mark Sletten, the 8th FS commander, took command of the 8th FS at an activation ceremony led by Col. James Keen, the 54th Fighter Group commander, who remarked on the squadron’s future under Sletten’s management.
“I have no doubt that the proud heri- tage of the Black Sheep will continue here at Holloman under the leadership of (Sletten),” Keen said. “(Sletten) is a man with incredible core values, who is people-oriented, professional
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and a credible tactician. These traits are paramount to the mission of the 56th Fighter Wing, which is to build a future of air power by leading the Air Force in developing Airmen and training fighter pilots.”
The squadron, first activated Jan. 16 at Selfridge Field, Michigan, as part of the 49th Pursuit Group, has maintained and piloted various air- craft under an ever-evolving mission.
Such aircraft, including the P-40 Warhawk, the P-38 Lightning, the F-117 Nighthawk and most recent- ly, the F-22 Raptor, were utilized throughout World War II, the Korean conflict and in parts of Southeast and Southwest Asia.
“In July 1968, the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing was assigned to Hol- loman after several European as- signments,” said Arlan Ponder, 49th Wing director of media operations and former base historian assistant. “From May through October 1972, the 8th was deployed to Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, for combat operations. While in Southeast Asia, the 8th flew air interdiction and close- air support missions. They received an Air Force Outstanding Unit Citation with a combat Valor device for their participation in Vietnam.”
In continuation of its colorful his-
tory, the 8th FS will now maintain and pilot F-16 fighter aircraft, along with its sister squadrons, the 311th FS and 314th FS.
According to Sletten, more than 40 F-16s are projected to be transported to Holloman AFB, almost double the number of aircraft currently assigned. An influx of personnel will accompany these aircraft, including approximate- ly 600 contracted maintainers and roughly 60 Airmen.
This historic event comes at a unique time as the Air Force is cur- rently experiencing a fighter pilot shortage.
According to Lt. Gen. Gina Grosso, Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Personnel Services, who testified on the pilot shortage before the House Armed Services subcommittee on Military Personnel March 29 in Washington, D.C., this crisis is the result of several factors, including high operational tempo over the past two decades and a demand for Air Force pilots from commercial industries.
To alleviate this issue, Sletten said the 8th FS is dedicated to generating new F-16 fighter pilots and requalify- ing former F-16 fighter pilots as part of a production effort.
Col. James Keen, 54th Fighter Group commander, and Lt. Col. Mark Sletten, 8th Fighter Squadron commander, stand at attention during the 8th FS activation ceremony Aug. 4 at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The 8th FS has been reactivated six years after its last inactiva- tion May 13, 2011. The 8th FS, with its long-standing history, will now maintain and pilot F-16 fighter jets. Ac- cording to Sletten, more than 40 F-16 fighter jets are pro- jected to be transported to Holloman, which is almost double the amount of aircraft currently stationed here.
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