FLYING HIGH - ALABAMA RED TAILS LEGACY MAY GET UPGRADE WITH F-35 JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER JET
LANDING THE F35 KEEPS JOBS IN MONTGOMERY, AND KEEPS THE RICH HERITAGE OF THE TUSKEGEE AIRMAN FLYING HIGH.
IF YOU REGULARLY FLY FROM THE MONTGOMERY REGIONAL AIRPORT, you’ve shared the runway with a group of F-16 jets from the 100th Fighter Squadron. You might have even noticed the red paint on the tails honoring the Tuskegee Airmen as they thundered into the skies above you. Dependable, fast and powerful, the F-16s of Montgomery’s 187th Fighter Wing have done their job well, but now there are two squadrons of fifth-generation fighter jets, the F-35 Lightning II, ready to find homes with two U.S. Air National Guard units. The 187th stands a very strong chance of winning one of them, and that’s great news for Alabama’s economy and the honored “Red Tail” tradition.
An array of technical innovations make the F-35 the most advanced fighter jet in the Air Force. The combination of extreme stealth, maneuverability and improved communication between the pilot and the craft means it can do the job of multiple aircraft. It’s immensely more effective, more survivable and less expensive to maintain than previous fighter jets.
The first flight of an F-35 was completed in 2006, and by 2015, the aircraft had been delivered to a Marine Corps Squadron at Hill Air Force Base in Utah. In April of last year, the Air Force announced the candidates for the next F-35 sites and projected that the planes would be in place at the chosen Air National Guard bases by summer of 2022.
Just last month, Montgomery made the semi-final round, along with four other bases: Gowen Field AGS, Boise, Idaho; Jacksonville AGS Florida; Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Detroit, Michigan; and Truax AGS, Madison, Wisconsin. The final two “preferred locations” will be announced in the spring.
Before the announcement, the Air National Guard will conduct site surveys at each location to assess operational requirements, potential impacts to existing missions, infrastructure and manpower, and then develop cost estimates to bed down the F-35.
The leadership of the 187th feels confident that they will make it to the top of the list. “The scoring system is pretty straightforward. In addition to the numerical data, there are several items that are not quantifiable, but will be taken into consideration under the category of ‘military judgment,’” explained Col. Randy Efferson, commander of the 187th Fighter Wing.
REGIONAL ECONOMIC IMPACT
Alabama has a great deal to gain from winning the F-35 squadron, from enhanced economic impact to a strengthened network of Air National Guard units across the state. If it goes elsewhere, the future of a flight mission at the 187th is not guaranteed, which could reduce the number of jobs at the wing and could cause the 100th Fighter Squadron to be reassigned to a unit outside of Alabama – a devastating blow to the heritage of the Tuskegee Airmen in Alabama at a time when few of the original Tuskegee Airmen remain.
The 187th Fighter Wing has about a $100 million impact on the region in the form of direct salaries for the 1,400 members, operational costs such as fuel and maintenance expenditures and local contracts for base support, facilities and maintenance. It also provides a multi-million dollar firefighting service to the Montgomery Regional Airport. Dannelly Field does not have a Base Exchange, base housing or recreational facilities normally found on an active duty base, which means the members are participating in the local economy through those activities.
“That means all our members live, go to church, socialize and spend their money in the local community. It is a perfect symbiotic relationship between the citizen soldiers of the 187th and the community we live in,” said Efferson.
The citizen fighter also bolsters economic development efforts. “Companies that look to relocate in Alabama find the skill sets of part-time guard members very appealing. The F-35 will bring in even higher level technical skills, adding a deeper skillset to our workforce,” explained Joe Greene, Vice President of military and innovative strategies for the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.
Beyond the River Region, the 187th has a close relationship with the 117th Refueling Wing in Birmingham. Winning the F-35 would not only secure a flying mission for the 187th, but also strengthen the role of the 117th and make it less likely to face closure in the future. Having the F-35 in Alabama could also help Birmingham get the KC-46 Pegasus Tanker, a new refueling aircraft.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
The 187th is exactly where it needs to be. “Many of the other competing bases do not have an active base nearby for their active airmen, meaning lots of time away from work and additional travel and per diem costs. Maxwell also has the capability to serve as an international military visitation center. The F-35 program has many international partners that can be funneled through Maxwell to visit the 187th. No other unit in the country has this capability. We also have Tyndall and Eglin AFBs only 20 flying minutes away, which both have fifth generation aircraft, so the opportunities for joint training and divert capabilities are terrific,” said Col. Efferson. Additionally, if the airport underwent some potential runway expansions, Dannelly Field could become a cold-weather location for other F-35 units in harsh climates.
AVAILABILITY AND PROVEN REPUTATION
Unlike many of the competing units, the 187th does not have the fulltime alert mission dedicated to homeland security. This means that it is able to deploy in combat for six months at a time as it did in its most recent deployment to Afghanistan in 2014, where it performed notably, going six months with its own forces, dropping an estimated 221 weapons and strafing more than 18,000 rounds.
Another area that sets the 187th apart is that there is no need for a double move. Because it is currently flying some of the oldest F-16s in the Air Force, those planes will be directly replaced by the F-35s rather than having to move another group of F-16s to the unit to maintain operations while training for the F-35 takes place. This means that if selected, the unit will be up and running faster than another base.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Community support will be vital. Col. Randy Efferson, commander of the 187th Fighter Wing, offered two ways that locals can help the 187th stand out. “First, we encourage everyone to express their support for the 187th to their elected officials. We are so fortunate that our Alabama Congressional Delegation and Governor have been extremely supportive, but they would still love to hear the public express their support,” he said. “Our elected officials can then relay that support to the United States Air Force. The USAF needs to know that Alabamians love jet noise and support the military. Second, we need people. I encourage anyone who is thinking about a career in the military to come check us out. We offer financial assistance for school and a sense of accomplishment and pride that can’t be matched. Lastly, we’d like to thank the state of Alabama and the entire River Region for the support we enjoy.”
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THE LEGACY OF OUR LOCATION Col. Randy Efferson, commander of the 187th Fighter Wing, enthusiastically explained the role of the Red Tail legacy in the effort to recruit the F-35. “The 187th Fighter Wing is home to the 100th Fighter Squadron, which is one of the original Tuskegee units dedicated to flying African Americans in combat fighter aircraft. This is a very important and immeasurable legacy that the State of Alabama and the entire country feel is important to maintain as it was originally set up. Receiving the F-35 would ensure this legacy for the next half-century. As we begin to say goodbye to the final few original Tuskegee Airmen it is only fitting that we honor their service by allowing their legacy to live on with an F-35 Red Tail.” |
