An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

ArticleCS - Article View

F-16’s from Shaw AFB to train with Vermont Air National Guard

  • Published
  • 158th Fighter Wing

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt., (June 18, 2021) – The 55th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force base (AFB), will conduct F-16C Fighting Falcon training missions out of the Vermont Air National Guard base later this month. A small contingent of Airmen assigned to the 55th Fighter Squadron will arrive on Wednesday, June 23 with six F-16’s and a C-130 Hercules, and will complete their training missions by Wednesday, June 30, when they leave Vermont to return to Shaw AFB.

The 55th Fighter Squadron will conduct F-16 flying missions at the Vermont Air National Guard base on Thursday, June 24 and Friday, June 25, with morning launches scheduled between 8:30-10:30 a.m. and afternoon launches between 12:30-2:30 p.m. Their F-16 flying missions will continue on Monday, June 28 and Tuesday, June 29 with morning launches scheduled between 8:30-10:30 a.m. and afternoon launches between 12:30-2:30 p.m.

The purpose of this training is to test Agile Combat Employment capabilities of the Airmen assigned to Shaw AFB with the opportunity to work out of a deployed, simulated remote location with minimal personnel.

The F-16’s from the 55th Fighter Squadron will fly integrated Offensive Counter Air (OCA) Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) missions with F-35A Lightning II aircraft from the 134th Fighter Squadron, Vermont Air National Guard.

“The 134th Fighter Squadron is looking forward to training with our wild weasel teammates from Shaw Air Force base. They bring years of SEAD experience and knowledge that will benefit the Green Mountain Boys as we prepare for more advanced 5th generation OCA training near the end of our F-35 conversion,” said Lt. Col. John MacRae, the 134th Fighter Squadron commander.

F-35 routine flying operations will remain unchanged while training with the 55th Fighter Squadron.

##

For more information contact Joint Force Headquarters; Maj. Scott Detweiler, 802.338.3478, 158fw.pa.public.affairs@us.af.mil