The Colorado Air National Guard’s 140th Wing begins flying at night to accomplish mission

The Colorado Air National Guard’s 140th Wing begins flying at night to accomplish mission essential training

By By Colorado National Guard Public Affairs | CONG, TAG, 140 | Dec. 4, 2019

U.S. Air Force Maj. Mathew “Chaff” Crabb, pilot, 120th Fighter Squadron, 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard, Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado, prepares his aircraft prior to a night training mission during Red Flag 17-2 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada March 1, 2017. The Red Flag Exercise is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States, its allies, and coalition partners, and is conducted on the vast gunnery ranges of the 2.9M acre Nevada Test and Training Range, a primary training area associated with Nellis AFB. The exercise brings in more than 100 aircraft and 3,000 personnel with the goal of preparing commanders and service members at all levels for war in a realistic training scenario. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. John Rohrer) (Photo by Senion Master Sgt. John Rohrer)

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.