HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- 12 F-16 Viper student pilots graduated from the 314th Fighter Squadron’s F-16 Basic Course, during a ceremony, Dec. 12, here.
The F-16 B-Course is a 37-week long course required for all student pilots. On average, B-Course students log 70 hours of flying time over 59 sorties in addition to roughly 245-hours of academic training and 69-hours of flight simulator training.
The 49th Wing is the Air Force’s premiere F-16 and MQ-9 Reaper aircrew training wing. Graduates of the F-16 B-course will be reassigned to operational flying units throughout the combat Air Force.
Congratulations to the graduates of class 20-CBH:
Capt Keene Nettles
1st Lt. Carter Kozacek
1st Lt. Andrew Freschi
1st Lt. Cody Bowden
1st Lt. Jake Kramer
1st Lt. Omar Haney
1st Lt. Adam Dengler
1st Lt. Jason Holmes
Capt Zack Vohs
1st Lt Austin Currier
1st Lt Matt Winger
1st Lt Mauricio Agudelo
Congratulations class 20-CBH award winners:
Airman 1st Class Holden Wylie, 314th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, most valuable crew chief award winner. This award is presented to the crew chief who went above and beyond to ensure their aircraft was safe, reliable and combat ready at all times, ensuring no delays with the basic course flight missions.
Staff Sgt. Tyler Molitor, 54th Operations Support Squadron, most valuable enlisted support award. This award is presented to the operations professional who maintained student flight records with precision and accuracy, ensuring students were cleared to fly every mission.
Maj. Clancy Kimber, 314th FS, most valuable military academic instructor. This award is presented to the instructor who best prepared students for future combat missions during their 150 hours of academic instruction.
Capt. Patrick Mayfield, 314th FS, toughest instructor, aka “The Hammer,” award. This award is presented to the instructor who upheld the highest standards during their time of instruction.
Maj. Steven Wilinski, 314th FS, most valuable flying instructor. This award is presented to the instructor who best prepared students for the unique complexities of flying the F-16.
1st Lt. Austin Currier, 314th FS, top pencil award. This award is presented to the student with the highest overall average on all tests taken during the course. Four students maintained a 100% average on their tests and instrument tests from check rides were used as a tie breaker.
Capt. Keene Nettles, 314th FS, Daedalian leadership award. This award is presented to the student with the highest potential to be a leader, and is based on the qualities of flying leadership and officership.
1st Lt. Andrew Freschi, 314th FS, Red River rat award. This award is selected by the 314th FS instructor pilots and is based on the question, “Which B-course student would we want on our wing tomorrow if we went into war and flew into heavily contested airspace like downtown Hanoi?”
Capt. Zach Vohs, 314th FS, air-to-air top gun award. This award is presented to the student who demonstrated the greatest application of knowledge during aerial combat skills training.
1st Lt. Andrew Freschi, 314th FS, air-to-ground top gun award. This award is presented to the student who displayed the greatest application of knowledge during air to surface combat skills training.
1st Lt. Andrew Freschi, 314th FS, distinguished graduate award. This award is presented to the student representing the top ten-percent of the class. Students were selected based on situational awareness, airmanship, judgement, mission preparation, attitude, academic performance and officership.