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Ambassador Victor Ashe took an orientation flight in an F-16 belonging to the 149th Fighter Wing of the Texas AirNational Guard September 22 at Lask Air Base. Amb. Ashe commented that he was "ready to go again" upon his return. Col. Jack "Elvis" Presley flew the
aircraft as the Ambassador rode in the rear seat of the F-16.
The flight showcased a program to familiarize members of the Polish Air Force with U.S. Air Force F-16 pilot and maintenance procedures. Polish Air Force pilots and maintenance personnel observed and participated in basic F-16 sorties and maintenance for two weeks at Lask Air Base, near Lódz.
This is the first time that Polish pilots and maintenance personnel have
been exposed to the F-16 since the Polish government purchased 48 F-16s in the spring of 2003. It is the first of many planned programs to ensure that, when Poland starts receiving its F-16s in 2006, the Polish Air Force will be ready to deploy and maintain them.
The 149th Fighter Wing contingent in Poland consists of about 100 members with five F-16Cs (one-seaters) and one F-16D (two-seater) plus various support equipment. Personnel include 14 pilots who are all qualified instructors with more than 1,000 hours of flying experience. The other personnel represent a variety of specialties to support the unit's equipment and activities.
The 149th Fighter Wing is involved in this visit to Poland through the
National Guard's State Partnership Program. However, the visit is being funded by the U.S.-European Command Joint Contact Team Program as part of Operation Sentry White Falcon.
While the State of Illinois has been designated as Poland's "partner state," Illinois' Air National Guard unit was not able to come to Poland at this time because of operational needs. But the Texas Air National Guard was able to step in and provide a similar program. The Illinois Air National Guard will be sending a unit later in the year to provide additional familiarization.
The 149th Fighter Wing is based at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The wing is part of the Texas National Guard, which has both a
federal (national) and a state mission.
* In its federal mission, the 149th Fighter Wing is part of the U.S.
Air Force Air Education and Training Command and trains F-16 fighter pilots
for the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserves as well as Air National Guard
units.
* The state mission is to be prepared to respond to natural disasters
and other various emergencies within Texas; the governor of Texas has the
authority to "call up" elements of the Texas National Guard.
The aircraft of the 149th Fighter Wing will be on display, along with Polish
Air Force aircraft, at an Open House at Lask Air Base, near Lódz, on
September 18, 2004.
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