F-16s Arrive at Holloman

The first three F-16s assigned to the newly minted 54th Fighter Group at Holloman AFB, N.M., arrived to begin standing up the new F-16 Formal Training Unit there. The fighters touched down in April 1, according to a base release. Overall, Holloman is slated to receive 55 F-16s by October 2015, most of which will transfer directly from Luke AFB, Ariz., according to the group’s webpage. Transferring the two F-16 squadrons from Luke replaces Holloman’s former F-22 mission and frees up needed space at Luke. “The change in mission to the F-35A [training] at Luke requires new construction in some of the existing F-16 Aircraft Maintenance Unit space,” explained Lt. Col. Scott Frederick, commander of Holloman’s 311th Fighter Squadron in a release. The recently activated squadron falls under the 54th FG. In addition to it, Holloman officials plan to stand up a second flying squadron once assets arrive. A total of 917 personnel are transferring from Luke, plus there will be 23 new positions created at Holloman.