BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Beginning Oct. 19, the 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard, will begin night flying operations out of the base until early spring.

Flying of the base-assigned F-16s will start at about 7 p.m. and will end at approximately 10:30 p.m. every Tuesday through Thursday.  Flight times will vary as the hours of darkness changes during the winter months. 

Night flying with the aid of night vision goggles is an operational training requirement to meet Air Force flying standards.  The Guard flies at night in the fall and winter to reduce the late night flying operations that would occur much later in the evening in the spring and summer months.

“We want to ensure the citizens of Aurora that we want to remain good neighbors,” stated Col. Brian Patterson, 140th Wing vice commander.  “We will make every effort to finish flight operations by 10:30 p.m. each day consistent with our safety and training requirements.”

The Guard’s 24/7 Air Sovereignty Alert mission at Buckley will continue to operate outside of the night flying time periods.

Noise complaints or flying concerns can be filed by calling the Colorado Airspace Hotline at (720) 847-9035.

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