New additions required for F-22A beddown

  • Published
  • By Arlan Ponder
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Preparing to retire an aircraft that is 25 years old and replace it with a "more advanced" aircraft isn't easy, but officials here are ready to meet the challenge, while remaining ready to complete the Air Force mission.

"What we have to maintain during the draw-down of the F-117A and the arrival of the F-22A is our combat capabilities," said Col. David Moore, 49th Fighter Wing vice-commander, during a briefing to Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., on Friday. "We have to be ready to do our job if we are called into action by our nation."

Sen. Bingaman was here to discuss with base officials what changes would be required before the arrival of the F-22A. The senator along with Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., recently assisted with the passage of the 2007 Defense Authorization Bill in the U.S. Senate, which provided for a three-year contract for 60 of the advanced stealth fighters.

Current plans have the Air Force placing 36 aircraft at Holloman beginning in November
2008 with the final F-117A retiring in October 2008.

"If the judgment was made to keep some of the F-117s, could Holloman manage it," Sen. Bingaman asked during a 45-minute briefing before a tour of the facilities affected by the arrival of the F-22A.

"It might mean some work-arounds, but we would make it work. Holloman has terrific strengths when dealing with both these aircraft," said Colonel Moore. "We are the resident experts on stealth technology and we have a wealth of experience flying low observable aircraft. Our climate and location provide for 350 days of outstanding flying conditions and a superb training airspace."

Colonel Moore said Holloman pilots will be "highly sought" because of their experience with the F-117A. However, at this time the F-22A program is not taking on any additional pilots. He feels there is a key experience associated with low observable aircraft that must remain in place through the transition to maintain Holloman's war readiness capabilities.

"We will still have personnel in place to maintain the F-117A until well after the drawdown," he said. "All other personnel will remain here to prepare for the arrival of the F-22A and ensure Holloman is achieving our mission."

With the arrival of the F-22A some facilities would require minor modifications. The aircraft parts storage, the low observable composite repair facility, the flight simulator, field training detachment, hangarettes and the conventional munitions shop are some of the facilities affected. The jet engine maintenance facility would require updating and expansion because the large F-22A engines would be worked on at Holloman, said Colonel Moore. Engines for the F-117A are removed from the plane and shipped to Lockheed-Martin if they are in need of repair.

An aerospace ground equipment facility and a precision guided munitions facility would be built to accommodate the advanced weapons systems on the F-22A.

According to Col. Andra Clapsaddle, 49th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, the precision guided munitions facility would be built near the ammunitions facility on the North side of the base.

"Though there will be challenges associated with the arrival of the F-22A and the drawdown of the F-117A, Holloman will meet these challenges head-on," said Col. David Goldfein, 49 FW commander. "We have a very supportive community and highly trained Airmen already capable of sustaining low observable aircraft. We are eager to take our combat-proven experience and apply it to the Air Force's newest, most technologically advanced stealth aircraft."