Officials activated the 54th Fighter Group to host F-16 pilot training at Holloman AFB, N.M., in a ceremony at the base on Tuesday. Holloman “will undoubtedly be a great fit for this new F-16 training mission, and we’re looking forward to a great partnership between the 49th Wing and the 54th FG,” said 54th FG Commander Col. Rodney Petithomme at the ceremony on March 11. The 311th Fighter Squadron simultaneously activated along with the 54th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and the 54th Operations Support Squadron to support the training mission. Holloman is eventually slated to receive two F-16 squadrons from Luke AFB, Ariz., as compensation for the loss of its combat coded F-22s to Tyndall AFB, Fla., earlier this year. The 54th FG is a detachment of Luke’s 56th Fighter Wing, which trains approximately 285 F-16 pilots and 350 crew chiefs annually, according to the release.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.