Luke Reserve squadron links to past, future

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stephen Razo
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  
Heritage

In 2010, the 301st Fighter Squadron flag was transferred to the F-22 Reserve associate squadron at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. That action terminated the 944th Fighter Wing's 10-year association with the famed Tuskegee Airmen. However, the subsequent stand-up of the 69th FS in its place brought a new opportunity to perpetuate Air Force heritage.

"It was such a great honor to be a part of the 301st FS Tuskegee Airmen heritage," said Lt. Col. Jay Paulus, 944th Operations Group deputy commander. "That unit has such an incredible history. What came out of that loss, however, was the gain of becoming a part of another extremely proud lineage of fighter pilots with a historic legacy."

The 71 pilots assigned to the 69th FS take the heritage responsibility seriously. While designated the 301st FS, numerous historic items reflecting Tuskegee accomplishments were on display in the squadron unit lobby. They have been replaced with 69th FS historic items.

Where the Tuskegee heritage was rooted in the skies over Europe, the Werewolves were making history in the Pacific Theater during WWII. Part of that history includes participation in the WWII Pacific "Island Hopping" campaign, recovery of the Philippines, and escorting the bombing campaign on the Japanese main islands. Since WWII, the unit has seen action in Korea, was instrumental in the training of German fighter pilots in the F-104 here at Luke AFB, participated in Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and conduct training of F-16 pilots while deploying in support of worldwide contingency operations including operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, New Dawn, Odyssey Dawn, Unified Protector, Plan Colombia and Sovereign Skies.

"When we were part of the Tuskegee squadron, we kept alive the history of that unit and sustained a relationship with numerous original members of the 301st," Paulus said. "We continue on that path today, learning and sustaining our new squadron's history and reliving its traditions with original members of the 69th FS Werewolves."

However, a change of heritage did not mean a change of mission.

Mission

The primary focus of the 69th FS is to train new and returning F-16 pilots in basic F-16 employment and prepare them to enter the operational Air Force. The unit mission statement further states that the unit has the responsibility of providing fully qualified, combat-ready Air Force Reserve Command F-16 instructor pilots to support all aspects of the 56th Fighter Wing formal course training, as well as supporting the contingency deployment needs of the Combat Air Forces.

This association with the 56th FW is unique in that Luke is one the first fighter wings to integrate an associate component into the fighter world. The associate world began as "Total Force Integration" in 2000 when the regular Air Force was in short supply of instructor fighter pilots; specifically F-16 pilots.

At that time all the major airlines were hiring pilots, drawing a significant number from the Air Force, according to Paulus.

"Luke was especially hard hit so the Air Force leadership decided to leverage the experience and continuity of the Reserves with the resources the active-duty had in place," he said.

The result is a Reserve association where currently at Luke, the 944th FW and 69th FS provide F-16 instructor pilot manpower to the 56th FW which retains the command structure and provides the F-16s to fly. The 56th FW has operational control of the F-16s the regular Air Force pilots and limited operational direction of the Reservist instructor pilots while the 69th FS retains administrative control of those pilots.

This successful 56th FW and 944th FW relationship has become a benchmark success story in the associate world. The 69th FW makes up 35 percent of the IP force at Luke with 71 Reserve pilot billets while the 56th FW carries 135.

"Our pilots have occupied positions throughout all the fighter squadrons as well as the 56th FW Operations Group and fighter wing staff," Paulus said. "Our pilots have been the flight safety officers, training officers, scheduling officers, weapons officers, assistant director of operations and have held positions such as operations officer, deputy operations group commander and fighter wing director of staff."

Being an IP in the 69th FS does not mean being stuck in training mode at home while watching the rest of the fighter world take care of contingencies around the world, according to Paulus.

"A 69th IP who volunteers to deploy downrange must go through an intense course of preparation months prior to deployment which includes self-study of theater specific tactics and rules of engagement, combat survival, escape and evasion training, and weapons qualification in the simulator and actual flight.

IPs typically travel to the unit they are augmenting for training in the F-16 prior to their deployment downrange.

"Although this requires extra preparation, the vast experience of the 69th FS IP makes it attainable," Paulus said. "Even though we don't have an operational commitment, we've deployed many of our IPs to Iraq, Afghanistan and other operational locations around the world since Sept. 11, 2001."

Future

As Luke AFB looks toward the future and a potential change in airframe, the 69th FS takes it in stride. The associate program has proven to be a Luke success story. If the mission statement remains as is, then that means Reserve experience and commitment will continue to develop the best fighter pilots in the world here at Luke. In fact, there might be something to be said of a legacy becoming established by the members of the 69th FS -- or whichever flag has represented them in the past ... and in the future.

"Associate units are considered a 'win-win' for the nation," said Lt. Gen. Charles Stenner Jr., Chief of Air Force Reserve, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., and Air Force Reserve Command commander, Robins Air Force Base, Ga. "The younger active-duty Airmen receive mentoring and continuity from the highly experienced Reservists. Together, the active-duty and Reserve Airmen give our nation a powerful combat capability, which is efficient, cost-effective and ready now."

Requirements to become a 69th Fighter Squadron fighter pilot

The basic requirement is the pilot must be a current/qualified basic course instructor pilot in the F-16.

Currently the average qualifications of the 69th FS IP are:
64 pilots (authorized)
·21 active Guard and Reservist (Six lieutenant colonels, 15 majors)
·Four Air Reserve technicians (lieutenant colonels)
·39 traditional Reservists (16 lieutenant colonels, 23 majors)
·All have prior U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Pacific Air Force and Air Combat Command tours
·85 percent have combat time
·Four weapon school graduates
·Average F-16 hours: 2,675
·Average F-16 IP hours: 1,300