Tyndall could lose F-15 mission in 2010

[unhappycamper]

Tyndall Air Force Base could lose its mission to train active-duty F-15C pilots and crew chiefs earlier than expected if an Air Force proposal to retire some of the fighters in 2010 goes through.


Tyndall could lose F-15 mission in 2010
By Bruce Rolfsen - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Mar 13, 2009 12:24:00 EDT

F-15C Eagle pilot and crew chief training might be leaving Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida ahead of schedule.

If an Air Force proposal to retire 137 F-15s in 2010 — rather than retiring them over several years — is approved, Tyndall could lose the F-15C training mission in 2010 instead of 2013, said base spokesman Herman Bell.

The proposal is one option Air Force and Defense Department leaders are considering as the service tries to cut costs, but the early retirement of the jets is far from a done deal. The Defense Department has yet to issue its 2010 budget proposal and the aircraft retirements would have to be approved by Congress. In the past, lawmakers have often stalled Air Force plans to retire aircraft.

Today, Tyndall is home to a pair of F-15 training squadrons, the 2nd and 95th fighter squadrons. A third Tyndall F-15 training squadron, the 1st Fighter Squadron, was deactivated in 2006 as part of the service’s shift to the F-22.

The change, if it happens, would not affect Tyndall’s ongoing F-22 Raptor pilot and crew chief training programs.


Rest of article at: http://airforcetimes.com/news/2009/03/airforce_tyndall_training_031309w/%2e