Two of the three F-16s of the Air National Guard’s 119th Fighter Wing at Fargo, N.D. that flew combat air patrols over Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11, 2001, have found spots in museums. Associated Press news service reports that Lt. Col. Brad Derrig, the Happy Hooligan who flew one of the F-16s on 9/11, on Dec. 26 flew one of the Vipers to its new home at McChord AFB, Wash., where it will become a display at the base museum. The second F-16 will stay with the Hooligans on display at Fargo. ANG is using the third Viper for training.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.