Possible Singapore F-16 training in Tucson

[Chris Kennedy]

Notice of a possible sale of an F-16 training package to the Government of Singapore. If it goes through, the training would take place at the Tucson ANG base.

http://www.dsca.osd.mil/PressReleases/36-b/2010/Singapore_10-53.pdf

[Joe Copalman]

Wow, I thought this was already a done deal and that the 425th FS was supposed to be relocating from Luke to Tucson soon.  Guess that was premature.

[Rob Silliman]

Wow, I thought this was already a done deal and that the 425th FS was supposed to be relocating from Luke to Tucson soon.  Guess that was premature.

Or it is a done deal - and someone just forgot about the paperwork?

[F-16_fixer]

They've been talking about this for about a year now at work we had Singapore pilots here a while back but they left for unknown reasons.  Also very soon we will begin talks of training....... Iraq!  hahaha that's going to go over real well with the community.

[Joe Copalman]

Recent article on the Iraqi F-16s: http://www.defense-aerospace.com/article-view/release/118421/us-plans-%244.2bn-sale-of-f_16-fighters-to-iraq.html

Also sounds like nothing is final here, but it sounds pretty solid that the re-formed IQAF is getting some Block 52s.  Morocco just got some as well, any chance we'll see those guys training in Tucson?

[cpasley]

Just out of curiosity ,I know we have seen foreign units train out at Luke and I was wondering why training with a group of rag-tag air national gaurd guys (no offense Chris  ) seems to be more popular than Luke can ayone tell me why? ,considering Luke is a dedicated training facility.......

[Joe Copalman]

The 162nd down in Tucson has a long history of training foreign pilots (as does Luke), and the instructor pilots are mostly ex-active-duty guys with far more hours than the instructors at Luke.  The Guard and Reserve tend to be heavy with high-hour, field-grade-and-above pilots.  Far from being "rag-tag," the Guard is home to the most experienced pilots in the Air Force.

[jslugman]

Would be nice if they flew in here under the LF tail code then re-done with the AZ. Two paint schemes for the price of one!

[F-16_fixer]

Just out of curiosity ,I know we have seen foreign units train out at Luke and I was wondering why training with a group of rag-tag air national gaurd guys (no offense Chris  ) seems to be more popular than Luke can ayone tell me why? ,considering Luke is a dedicated training facility.......

No offense taken.  But keep in mind Luke has put more jets in the dirt in one year than we have in 20.   

[cpasley]

HAHA ,I like that one Chris ,point well taken and Joe when I called the ANG
"Rag Tag" I didnt mean it in a derogatory way

[Joe Copalman]

No offense taken.  But keep in mind Luke has put more jets in the dirt in one year than we have in 20.   

Damn.  Right in the stones.

[cpasley]

Yeah not sure what to say there...................

[jslugman]

Silence is golden.