44th Fighter Group Activation Ceremony

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Maj. Gen. Frank Padilla, 10th Air Force commander, addresses Holloman Airmen during the 44th Fighter Group activation ceremony April 9, 2010. The 44th Fighter Group traces its lineage to the famed World War II 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) originally activated in January 1941 at MacDill Army Air Field in Tampa, Fla., and flew the then state of the art B-24 Liberatror. Sixty-nine years later, the 44th Fighter Group is the only Air Force Reserve organization to be selected to fly the U.S. Air Force's premier air superiority fighter, the F-22 Raptor. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joe Laws / Released)

44th Fighter Group Activation Ceremony

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- U.S. Air force members stand and salute during the national anthem during the 44th Fighter Group Activation ceremony April 9, 2010. The 44th Fighter Group traces its lineage to the famed World War II 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) originally activated in January 1941 at MacDill Army Air Field in Tampa, Fla., and flew the then state of the art B-24 Liberator. Sixty-nine years later, the 44th Fighter Group is the only Air Force Reserve organization to be selected to fly the U.S. Air Force's premier air superiority fighter, the F-22 Raptor. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joe Laws / Released)

44th Fighter Group Activation Ceremony

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Col. Donald Lindberg, 44th Fighter Group commander, passes the 301st Fighter Squadron guidon to the incoming commander, Lt. Col. Kent Furman, during the group's formal activation ceremony April 9, 2010. The 44th Fighter Group traces its lineage to the famed World War II 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) originally activated in January 1941 at MacDill Army Air Field in Tampa, Fla., and flew the then state-of-the-art B-24 Liberator. Sixty-nine years later, the 44th Fighter Group is the only Air Force Reserve organization to be selected to fly the U.S. Air Force's premier air superiority fighter, the F-22 Raptor. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joe Laws / Released)

44th Fighter Group Activation Ceremony

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Col. Donald Lindberg, 44th Fighter Group commander, presents the Distinguished Flying Cross to Retired Capt. Arthur Kleiderer April 9, 2010, for distinguished service as group lead pilot for the 44th Bomb Group during 14 combat missions near the conclusion of World War II. The 44th Fighter Group traces its lineage to the famed WWII 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) originally activated in January 1941 at MacDill Army Air Field in Tampa, Fla., and flew the then state-of-the-art B-24 Liberator. Sixty-nine years later, the 44th Fighter Group is the only Air Force Reserve organization to be selected to fly the U.S. Air Force's premier air superiority fighter, the F-22 Raptor. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joe Laws / Released)

44th Fighter Group Activation Ceremony

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- A U.S. Air Force major assigned to the 301st Fighter Squadron stands in formation during the 44th Fighter Group activation ceremony April 9, 2010. The 44th Fighter Group traces its lineage to the famed World War II 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) originally activated in January 1941 at MacDill Army Air Field in Tampa, Fla., and flew the then state-of-the-art B-24 Liberator. Sixty-nine years later, the 44th Fighter Group is the only Air Force Reserve organization to be selected to fly the U.S. Air Force's premier air superiority fighter, the F-22 Raptor. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joe Laws / Released)

Germans keep the Tornado 'fliegen'

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Staff Sgt. Rico Waclawski, First Line Maintainer for the German Air Force Flying Training Center, inspects the front and back of a Tornado, March 29, 2010, before take-off. First Line Maintainers perform ?before take-off inspection? to check for tires and leaks, and to ensure all electronic devices working properly. After the inspection is complete, the safety handles on the training bombs are armed and the pilots prepare for take-off. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Veronica Stamps) (Released)

Germans keep the Tornado 'fliegen'

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Master Sgt. Michael Theuring, First Line Maintainer for the German Air Force Flying Training Center, installs a training bomb on a Tornado, March 29, 2010. First Line Maintainers perform Preflight inspections before installing bombs, rockets, missiles, laser ports and gun munitions onto German Tornados. Through-flight and Post-flight inspections are also conducted every time the Tornado returns from a sortie. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Veronica Stamps) (Released)

GAF FTC holds New Year's reception

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Col. Frank Kiesel, commander of the German Air Force Flying Training Center, speaks during a New Year's reception at the Raptor?s Nest, Feb. 2, where he reflected on the past two years of flying training and training support. Numerous guests, civilian and military, attended the event including the Mayor of Alamogordo, Ron Griggs, and the commander of the German air force Command United States and Canada, Col. Michael Kuhn. (German air force photo by Chief Master Sgt. Robert Meints)

GAF FTC commemorates 55,555 flight hours

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Col. Peter Klement, German air force Flying Training Center commander and Col. Jeff Harrigian, 49th Fighter Wing Commander, taxi their way in front of the reception commemorating the 55,555th German Tornado flight hour here, Oct. 13. Members of the German air force and 49th FW awaited their return to celebrate the accomplishment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Veronica Stamps)

GAF FTC commemorates 55,555 flight hours

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Col. Peter Klement, German air force Flying Training Center commander and Col. Jeff Harrigian, 49th Fighter Wing Commander, taxi their way in front of the reception commemorating the 55,555th German Tornado flight hour here, Oct. 13. Members of the German air force and 49th FW awaited their return back to the flight line to celebrate the accomplishment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Veronica Stamps)