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			162nd Fighter Wing Arizona Air National Guard Tucson, Arizona
		The 162nd Fighter Wing is by far the largest wing in the Air National Guard, with three separate squadrons assigned, each flying a different version of the Viper.

Located on 92 acres of real estate adjacent to the Tucson International Airport in perpetually-sunny Arizona, the 162nd Fighter Wing has been training the next generation of pilots since 1969. With over 300 days per year of bright blue skies, Tucson is the perfect location to train. Since it transitioned into the F-16 in 1985, the 162nd Fighter Wing has trained pilots for the air forces of Belgium, Denmark, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Taiwan, Jordan, Bahrain, Italy, Japan, and Turkey. In 2004, they added United Arab Emirates and Poland to that list.

First organized in 1956 as the 152nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron of the Arizona Air National Guard, the first aircraft was the Korean War-era F-86A. At this time, the unit's "base" was an old farmhouse. A hangar with dirt floors, large enough to accomodate three aircraft, provided shelter from the blazing Arizona sunshine. Since these early beginnings, the 162nd Fighter Wing has progressed through much more modern equipment, beginning with the F-84 Thunderstreak in 1964, followed by the F-102 Delta Dagger, F-100 Super Saber, and the A-7D Corsair II. The first F-16A arrived in 1985, followed by the F-16C in 1995.

The 162nd Fighter Wing is by far the largest flying organization within the Air National Guard, with over ninety jets assigned. With so many aircraft on the ramp, daily sortie rates can be mind-boggling, with a constant stream of F-16s heading out to the nearby Barry M. Goldwater Range. Having such a large range (1.9 million acres) within a very short flying distance is a benefit very few flying outfits in the United States enjoy.

Divided into three squadrons, the Tucson ramp is also the only unit within the ANG to boast more than one production block of the Viper assigned at the same time. F-16A block 15, F-16A block 15 ADF, F-16C block 25, F-16C block 42, and, recently, F-16E block 60 can all be found wearing the "AZ" tailcode at Tucson.

The F-16As belong to the 195th Fighter Squadron, who only recently retired the last of the original block 10 jets to AMARC. At nearly the same time, they received several ex-148th Fighter Wing F-16ADFs to bolster numbers, as the 148th Fighter Wing in Minnesota upgraded into the F-16C. Although the ADFs still are equipped with the ADF-specific hardware, they are flown as "vanilla" block 15s, and not used in the Air Defence role.

The block 42s are owned by the 152nd Fighter Squadron, which joined the Arizona Air National Guard in 1954. This is the largest squadron within the 162nd Fighter Wing, and also has the honor of maintaining the Wing's "Flagship", F-16C 89-2001.

The F-16E/F block 60s are the newest addition to the Tucson ramp, with the first two jets touching down on September 03, 2004. Painted in their native two-tone gray wraparound camouflage, the jets are owned by the United Arab Emirates, and provide quite a contrast to their United States' cousins. The UAE has ordered eighty new F-16E/Fs, and has decided to temporarily base several with the 162nd Fighter Wing, allowing the UAE pilots to train in Arizona.

Although not a numbered unit, AATC (Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve Test Center) also calls the 162nd Fighter Wing home, and operates the F-16C/D block 25. AATC is a test unit whose job is to enhance capability for Air Combat Command aircraft. They have been instrumental in numerous USAF projects, most recently the testing of Night Vision Goggles compatibility, as well as the new Sniper targeting pods now being introduced fleet-wide. With six assigned F-16s, the responsibility of AATC is primarily the Viper, but testing is also done in support of A/OA-10, B-52, F-15A/B, HH-60, and HC-130 aircraft.

AATC owns six F-16C block 25s used for testing. This AATC Viper is seeking relief from the searing Arizona heat under the sunshade.

(left) At the time of my visit, F-16A 81-0796 had recently been retired, and is seen here awaiting its trip to AMARC.

(right) F-16ADF 81-0807 is one of several ADF machines serving with the 162FW, having gained a second chance at life as numerous units within ANG convert to other aircraft types.

(left and right) A large number of two-seat Vipers would be expected at a training installation, and Tucson is no exception.

(left) F-16A 83-1079 is a block 15 jet operated by the 195th Fighter Squadron.

(right) Viper Driver and Crewchief discuss their jet before a training sortie.

(left) A 152nd Fighter Squadron block 42 leaves the ramp, on its way out for a BFM sortie.

(right) 83-1170 previously flew with the 183TFG, Illinois ANG, before moving to Tucson.

(left) Almost perfectly aligned, a two-ship holds on the runway prior to departure.

(right) 90-0708, seconds from touching down at Tucson at the conclusion of a morning training sortie.

Many thanks go to LtCol. Chuck Rogue who graciously volunteered his time and efforts with arranging my visit, as well as personally escorting me on the 162nd Fighter Wing ramp. Thanks, Chuck!!

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