Wings conduct night flying

  • Published
  • By 388th and 419th Public Affairs
  • 388th and 419th Fighter Wings
388th and 419th Fighter Wing pilots will conduct night flying missions here beginning Oct. 1 and will continue into the winter months. Local residents will hear F-16s flying during the night hours as pilots continue to sharpen their night-time combat flying skills.
The active duty 388th FW and Reserve 419th FW share a fleet of Block 40 F-16s and are required to train at night because of special night-flying capabilities. During after-dark operations, the wings' personnel train with advanced targeting pods and night vision goggles.
When deployed, the 388th and 419th make up the largest F-16 close air support wing in the world and must remain proficient in night flying to continue to successfully accomplish their mission.
The wings limit their night operations to what is required to remain proficient in night-flying training. When on a night schedule, the wings conduct missions Monday through Thursday from the early evening until shortly after midnight.
For more information, please contact the 388th or 419th Public Affairs office at 777-3200.