FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019
CONTACT: U.S. Air Force Maj. Kinder Blacke, kinder.l.blacke.mil@mail.mil, 720-847-9867, 720-670-7062
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Beginning this week and continuing for the next few months, residents of Aurora and neighboring communities can expect to hear F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft overhead later than usual as the Colorado Air National Guard’s 140th Wing conducts annual night flying training.
“Flying and executing our mission sets at night is critical to our ability to be effective in defending our nation,” U.S. Air Force Col. D. Micah Fesler, commander, 140th Wing said. “It is a skill that requires quite a bit of training to guarantee that our pilots maintain proficiency.”
Over the next few months, aircrews will conduct training missions and return to Buckley AFB as late as 10 p.m.
“We have enjoyed incomparable support from our community,” Fesler said. “We continue to strive to be good neighbors, conscientious of our community’s concerns. As always, the community’s patience and understanding are greatly appreciated as the 140th Wing accomplishes this critical training.”
One of the ways the unit does so is by only flying night missions during the winter months when dark hours begin earlier. Therefore, the training can be accomplished before too late in the evening.
If the public have any questions or concerns, please contact the 140th Wing Public Affairs office at 720-847-9435, usaf.co.140-wg.list.pa@mail.mil.