Officials at Tyndall AFB, Fla., last week inactivated the 95th Fighter Squadron, marking the formal end of F-15 training at the base after 27 years. Tyndall’s parent 325th Fighter Wing lost its 48 F-15s as part of the Air Force’s divestiture of approximately 250 legacy fighters in Fiscal 2010. Tyndall’s F-15s began departing for good in April. Herman Bell, 325th FW public affairs chief, told the Daily Report that the 95th FS inactivation took place Sept 21. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the squadron’s three remaining F-15s took off for their new home at Edwards AFB, Calif., where NASA will use them as test assets, he said. With the drawdown at Tyndall, the Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing at Kingsley Field is assuming the F-15 training mission. (See also Tyndall report by Christi Bird)
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.