Fighting Falcon brings heritage to doorstep of ALS, FTAC

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Spencer Gallien
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Moody's Michael Maltz First-Term Airman and Professional Enhancement Center received a piece of Air Force history Jan. 4 when an F-16 Fighting Falcon became a permanent fixture of the schoolhouse.

The F-16 began its operational career in 1981 and continues to play a vital role in air operations. Since Sept. 11 2001, the aircraft has flown thousands of missions in support of operations Noble Eagle (Homeland Defense), Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom.

"It's extremely important to have aircraft like the F-16, which has meant so much to the Air Force over the years," said John Eunice III, 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron deputy base civil engineer. "It reminds our young non-commissioned officers and Airmen where we came from and where we're going."

The F-16 was once assigned to the 74th Fighter Squadron when Pope Air Force Base, N.C., was the home to the Flying Tigers. Moody received the aircraft during the Base Realignment and Closure initiative that brought the 23rd Fighter Group here and transformed the 347th Rescue Wing to the 23rd Wing.

Though the 23rd FG is most closely associated with the A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft, the F-16 holds a strong place in its history, said Tech. Sgt. Patrick Smith, 23rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron historical property custodian. 

The 74th Fighter Squadron flew the F-16 for three years from, 1993-1996, before the Fighter Squadron converted back to an all A-10 Thunderbolt II unit.

"When we received the Aircraft from Pope it was in extremely poor condition after being displayed as a static," said Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Fisk, 23rd EMS corrosion control section. "The whole 23rd EMS came together to get this bird back in shape."

According to Sergeant Fisk, the 23rd EMS corrosion control section provided more than 500 hours of manpower to paint the bird. "That's not even including the amount of hours it took the 23rd EMS Aircraft Structural Maintenance Flight to patch the F-16 back together," he added.

The 23rd EMS received the original stencils for the aircraft artwork from Pope AFB to prepare the F-16 to look the same as an operational Flying Tiger.

"The restoration and movement of the bird (F-16) was a collective effort of the 23rd EMS, 23rd CES and 23rd Security Forces Squadron," said Tech. Sgt. Ronald Spradling, 23rd EMS fabrications flight. "We're responsible for the restoration and transportation of the aircraft on the 23rd EMS side."

In order to bring the aircraft to the professional development center, the 23rd SFS coordinated with the Lowndes County Sherriff's Department and the Georgia Department of Transportation to provide road closures for transit of the aircraft.

Bemiss Road was closed from the North to South Gate at approximately 6 a.m. Sunday morning to allow the aircraft and crews from the 23rd EMS to maneuver down the highway. In all, the road was closed for about 15 minutes.

A portion of the fence at the schoolhouse also had to be cut down and welded back together by 23rd CES personnel in order for the Aircraft to make it to its current resting place.

For base leadership, the addition of the F-16 static display to the schoolhouse represents Moody's continued dedication to excellence.

"I would like to give my personal thanks to all the Airmen who were involved in the refurbishing, moving and displaying of the F-16," said Chief Master Sgt. Paul Burgess, 23rd Wing command chief. "The aircraft now stands guard as a reminder to all Airmen of the proud heritage our wing represents so they may carry it into the future."