Black Sheep reactivated
The 8th Fighter Squadron was reactivated at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, on August 4, six years after being inactivated. Known as the ‘Black Sheep’, the squadron will support training efforts as part of the 54th Fighter Group and will operate the Block 40 version of the F-16C/D. The squadron had previously flown the F-22A as part of the 49th Fighter Wing until May 13, 2011. The 54th FG is a geographically separated unit of the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke AFB, Arizona. Holloman is expected to receive more than 40 F-16Cs that are being transferred from the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill AFB, Utah, as part of the USAF’s move to increase the production of fighter pilots to alleviate its current shortage.
Silver Eagles reactivated
The active-duty Air Force detachment stationed alongside the Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing at Kingsley Field was designated as the 550th Fighter Squadron on July 21. The unit, which supports the training of F-15C pilots alongside the Guard’s 114th Fighter Squadron, had previously been known as Detachment 2, 56th Operations Group. It was activated in 2014 as part of the USAF’s Total Force Integration (TFI), and will continue to report to the 56th Op…
