Holloman personnel deploy to support the U.S. Air Force mission

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason Colbert
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affiars
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  This year, the U.S. Air Force is retiring the F-117A Nighthawk, currently stationed at Holloman Air Force Base, NM. But that doesn't mean that Holloman's war time mission has stopped -- or even slowed down.

Since the 49th Pursuit Group was activated in 1941, Holloman's Airmen have been deploying all over the world, and that will continue as long as the base supports the U.S. Air Force's mission in the Global War on Terrorism.

"I would not expect to see a big leap in the number of deployments required of our Airmen this year," said Col. Jeffrey Harrigian, 49th Fighter Wing commander. "We will continue to support the GWOT while also ensuring that we can meet the timelines required to transition to the F-22. It is important that Airman aligned to upcoming Air Expeditionary Force cycles or functional buckets prepare themselves and their families for possible deployment. In order to support the Chief of Staff's top priority - winning the Global War on Terror - the 49 FW's Airmen will be ready.

Holloman's Airmen are going everywhere in support of the Air Force mission. They are performing humanitarian missions in Northern Africa and supporting Department of Defense missions in Cuba and Korea. There are Airmen in Southwest Asia in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. And closer to home, Airmen are deployed to Nellis AFB, NV, in support of Operation Red Flag.

"Expeditionary Combat Support taskings continue to rise throughout the Air Force and Holloman is no exception," said 2nd Lt. Michael L. Babcock, 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron, plans and programs officer in charge. "This in itself is unrelated to the retirement of the F117A. However the maintenance and operation capabilities will move to a regular deployment cycle that supports the Air Force's F-22A rotation plan."

The Airmen of the 49th Fighter Wing are willing and ready to step up to the fight, no matter where or for how long that fight might take them.

"Once the Raptor is bedded down, it will add yet another layer to Holloman's already vast deployment machine, giving the Air Force yet another tool in the War on Terror," said Lt. Babcock.