The Hawaii Air National Guard’s 199th Fighter Squadron operates its F-15 fighters out of a facility built when the unit flew F-86s some 50 years ago. Since the squadron is getting the newest USAF fighter, the F-22A, it plans to construct a new $30 million facility, beginning in 2008—after the requisite envinronmental assessments—the Honolulu Star-Bulletin reports.
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
