please read the article for more details. Some more specific information, like squadron numbers, is also mentioned.
Interesting that there are no remarks about moving SQN's from Spang/Aviano towards Poland ore Bulgaria (as was suggested late 2008), also no remarks about the conversion of rejected F16's to QF-16 (first one should be up late this year/early 2010 according AirForceMonthly)
Air Force proposal aims to eliminate 250 fighter jets
By Kent Harris, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Under a proposed Air Force restructuring plan, the western Germany base would lose 18 F-16s. Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany would lose 18 F-16s — and possibly one of its three fighter squadrons — in a plan the Air Force announced Tuesday to eliminate about 250 fighter jets from its inventory.
The move, tied to the service’s desire to free up more money for next-generation aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicle operations, would save $355 million in fiscal 2010 and $3.5 billion over the next five years, according to an Air Force news release.
"We have a strategic window of opportunity to do some important things with fighter aircraft restructuring," Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley was quoted as stating in the release. "By accepting some short-term risk, we can convert our inventory of legacy fighters and F-22s into a smaller, more flexible and lethal bridge to fifth-generation fighters like the F-35."
The service would retire 112 F-15s, 134 F-16s and three A-10s under the Combat Air Forces proposal. Five additional fighter aircraft already had been designated to go out of service in the next fiscal year, which begins in October.
The Air Force has three bases with fighter squadrons in Europe: Spangdahlem, Aviano in Italy and RAF Lakenheath in England. Aviano was not listed among bases that would lose aircraft under the proposal, but Lakenheath would have six fewer F-15s.
The 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem currently has about 42 F-16CJs, according to information provided in the release. The 81st Fighter Squadron flies A-10 Thunderbolt IIs. The F-16s are flown by the 22nd Fighter Squadron and 23rd Fighter Squadron. A loss of 43 percent of the jets might indicate the loss of one of the squadrons. But 2nd Lt. Kathleen Polesnak, chief of public affairs for the wing, said that’s speculation.
"At this point, we really don’t know [what the picture] will be like," she said, noting that there are a number of variables that could come into play if the proposal becomes reality.
Lakenheath has three fighter squadrons: the 492nd, 493rd and 494th. The 493rd flies F-15Cs and the other two F-15Es. The 493rd would lose six of its F-15Cs under the proposal, and retain 18 jets. The other two squadrons would not be affected.
"We would not lose a squadron," said Capt. Alysia Harvey, a 48th Fighter Wing spokeswoman.
Spangdahlem wouldn’t be taking the biggest hit around the globe under the proposal. Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida would lose 48 F-15s — about two-thirds of its force. Hill Air Force Base in Utah and Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska would lose two dozen aircraft as well. Elmendorf is in line to receive 36 F-22s, though, and Hill is seen as a candidate for the other next-generation fighter, the F-35.
In total, the moves could free up 4,000 personnel slots that the service could shift to operations such as unmanned aerial vehicles and nuclear deterrence, according to the release. The Air Force would also establish a fourth active-duty B-52 squadron and invest in upgraded systems and munitions for its remaining fleets.
Proposed changes:
Location
Change
Outlook
Barksdale AFB, LA
-3 A-10s
Retains 21 aircraft
Barnes ANGB, MA
None
Receives upgrades to 18 F-15s
Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
-6 A-10s
Retains 72 aircraft
Eglin AFB, FL
-2 F-15s
Retains 5 F-15s; identified as F-35 joint training base
Elmendorf AFB, AK
-24 F-15s
Receives 36 F-22s
Ft Wayne ANGB, IN
-18 F-16s
+18 A-10s
Receives 18 A-10s
Hickam AFB, HI
-15 F-15s
Receives 18 F-22s
Hill AFB, UT
-24 F-16s
Retains 48 aircraft, F-35 candidate
Jacksonville ANGB, FL
None
Receives upgrades to 18 F-15s
Kirtland AFB, NM
-18 F-16s
Retains 34 aircraft of multiple types, future mission sets to be determined
RAF Lakenheath, UK
-6 F-15s
Retains 18 aircraft
Langley AFB, VA
-18 F-15s
Receives 36 F-22s
Luke AFB, AZ
-28 F-16s
Retains 96 aircraft, F-35 candidate
Moody AFB, GA
-6 A-10s
Retains 42 aircraft
Nellis AFB, NV
-10 F-15s
-6 F-16s
Retains 75 aircraft and receives 10 F-22s
New Orleans ANGB, LA
None
Receives upgrades to 18 F-15s
Osan AB, ROK
-3 A-10s
Retains 45 aircraft and receives upgrades to 24 F-16s
Portland ANGB, OR
None
Receives upgrades to 18 F-15s
22nd FS is the squadrons that will leave Spangdahlem. It will transfer some of it's F-16's to the 23rd and the other wil return to CONUS.
According to Flugzeugforum, there are rumours that the canadians have plans to send 1 squadron of CF-18's permanently to Spangdahlem.
Anybody who is able to confirm?
I know this is not the place for rumours, but didn't want to start a seperate topic, mod. feel free to move
Well honest speaking, i don't think the canadians will deploy one of there CF-188 squadrons to Germany. All i know they only have 3 squadrons left, including one training...
Would seem more likely it will be used ( more ) for tdy purposes.
It seems to make no sense that the Canadians will have a permanent base (again) in Europe.
They simply have no aircraft to fulfill that role, and let's not speak about money.
SquAdmin wrote:I think you're confusing it with this: http://www.scramble.nl/forum/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=50567" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
So, yes there might be Canadians coming to Spang but they will be flying C-17's.
No I am not, know that there is an increased Canadian activity at Spangdhalem for some months now, with regular visiting CC177 but in my first post I am reffering to the rumour at: http://www.flugzeugforum.de/forum/showt ... 161&page=3
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