With USAF’s F-15 fleet of A-D models grounded indefinitely, Air National Guard units that fly F-16 Vipers have been subbing around the country for Air Guard units that fly F-15s on Operation Noble Eagle air sovereignty missions. The Illinois ANG’s 183rd Fighter Wing has sent some 50 airmen to New Orleans to cover missions normally flown by the Louisiana ANG’s 159th FW, reports the Journal-Register. Before the Illinois team arrived, the Alabama ANG’s 187th FW had flown the ONE missions. Last week, we also reported that Vermont ANG F-16s had picked up the alert mission for the northeast from Massachusetts ANG F-15s.
The $4.26 billion Small Business Innovation Research contracting program widely used by the Air Force went into hibernation as the government shut down Oct. 1, but unless lawmakers strike a deal on reforms, the program could reach an abrupt end.
