"First 2 F-15s leave Tyndall"

by Senior Airman Veronica McMahon
325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

4/15/2010 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.  -- The first two F-15s departed Tyndall Air Force Base April 9, beginning the Air Forces reduction initiative that divests 48 F-15 aircraft currently assigned to the 325th Fighter Wing.

The first jet took off at 9 a.m. and was flown by Capt. Jonathan Kassebaum to the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. to be put in cold storage. The second plane left a half hour later and was flown by Capt. Matthew Woodfield to Sheppard AFB, Texas, where it will be used as a trainer aircraft for crew chiefs at the school house. Aside from those two locations the jets will also be dispersed to Klamath Falls, Ore., and Edwards AFB, Calif.

"Prior to departure, all F-15s will be reconfigured based on destination and will be given a final maintenance inspection," said Col. Craig Hall, 325th Maintenance Group commander.

Many Airmen have been preparing for this draw down.

"It was an honor to send off the first F-15 to leave Tyndall for the drawdown," said Airman 1st Class Brian Devlin, 95th Fighter Squadron crew chief. Airmen Devlin is just one of the many who are working to send these planes off safely.

A transfer dock is set up in Hangar 5 where these final inspections will be taking place, said Colonel Hall. It is about a 10-day process per aircraft before they are sent to the next location.

All together under the plan, Tyndall and 16 other Air Force locations will accelerate the retirement of approximately 259 aircraft including 112 F-15s, 138 F-16s and 9 A-10s in fiscal year 2010.

The resulting cost savings of $355 million in fiscal year 2010 and $3.5 billion over the next five fiscal years will be used to modernize Air Force fighters and bombers, procure the munitions favored by joint warfighters and fund critical intelligence and other enabling technology.

As a result of the restructuring, 325th Fighter Wing officials anticipate a loss of approximately 800 positions during fiscal year 2010 and 2011.

Tyndall is taking the appropriate measures to ensure Airmen have a safe move.
"The Airman and Family Readiness Transition Assistance Program will provide assistance to people who are retiring, demobilizing, or separating and those impacted by restructuring or reductions," said Anita Pembleton, 325th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness director.

Although Tyndall is losing the F-15s, Team Tyndall still has many missions.

"The 325th Fighter Wing will continue to provide air dominance training for F-22 Raptor pilots, crew chiefs and maintenance personnel, as well as air battle managers, intelligence officers and air traffic controllers," said Colonel James Browne, 325th Fighter Wing commander. "Additionally we will continue our mission to provide support to the more than 30 tenant organizations assigned to Tyndall."