The Ohio Air National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing braved the cold to reassemble an F-16A Falcon for addition to the unit’s static airpark at Toledo ANGB, Ohio, earlier this month. Serial number 80-0159 was rescued from the bone yard at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., joining the F-84F, F-100D, and A-7D that represent the unit’s fighter lineage. “The contractor placed it in its spot and reattached all the parts except the wing tanks and engine nozzle” on Jan. 6, unit spokeswoman SMSgt. Elizabeth Holliker told Air Force Magazine. “We’ll repaint it this spring” in Ohio ANG markings “and the engine nozzle will require the manufacture of some special brackets … since there’s no engine,” she added. The static jet last flew with Air Force Reserve Command’s 89th Fighter Squadron at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, giving it an Ohio connection even though the unit never flew A-models. The 180th FW received its first F-16C/D in February 1992.
Amid a high-profile recruiting crisis, Air Force leaders and experts have increasingly noted the challenging long-term trends the service will face in enticing young Americans to sign up—decreasing eligibility to serve, less propensity to do so, and less familiarity with the military. But while those same leaders say there’s no “silver…