By Airman 1st Class Jessica Sanchez, 49th Wing Public Affairs / Published March 18, 2021
Capt. Michael Dreher, 311th Fighter Squadron pilot straps into F-16 Viper Aircraft 9053, March 2, 2021, on Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The 849th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron spent 22 months rebuilding the aircraft to return to operational status. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Sanchez)
The F-16 Viper Aircraft 9053 prepares to taxi after preflight checks, March 2, 2021, on Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The F-16 Viper had 536 parts replaced after being used as a cannibalization jet due to being in disrepair after extended damage. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Sanchez)
Senior Airman Brian Raatz, 849th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief completes preflight ground checks on F-16 Viper Aircraft 9053, March 2, 2021, on Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. Aircraft maintainers perform pre, post and between-flight safety and function checks, which includes double and triple checking fluid levels, landing gear and flight control functionality and running diagnostics on the electrical systems. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Sanchez)
Staff Sgt. Bill Bohnas, 849th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, tubes support brackets on hydraulic lines on an F-16 Viper, Feb. 23, 2021, on Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The support brackets keep hydraulic lines from chaffing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Sanchez)
Senior Airman Austin Joseph, 849th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, installs a sidewall fairing in an F-16 Viper cockpit, Feb. 23, 2021, on Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The sidewall fairing prevents foreign object debris from falling into the electronics. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Sanchez)
Members of the 849th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron work on the F-16 Viper Aircraft 9053, Feb. 23, 2021, on Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The 849th AMXS spent 22 months rebuilding the aircraft to return it to operational status. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Sanchez)