Falcon On A Stick

Posted 23 April 2012

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Photo by Todd Cromar

On 10 April 1977, the US Air Force announced the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill AFB, Utah, would be the first operational unit to receive the new F-16 Fighting Falcon. Nearly twenty-five years to the day on 23 April 2012, members of the active duty 388th FW and Air Force Reserve Command 419th FW worked together to install a former 388th FW flagship at the Airmen Memorial Park on base. Decommissioning of the aircraft consisted of removing components, including the ejection seat and landing gear; permanently installing a tailpipe assembly, as there is now no engine; sealing and painting; and finally, installing the F-16 on a pylon previously used for an F-4.

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