The 49th Wing at Hollomon Air Force Base, New Mexico, which for years has been part of Air Combat Command, was realigned to Air Education and Training Command during a ceremony Friday morning at the base, just west of Alamogordo.
It will officially become the AETC ‘s 13th major installation Monday, the start of fiscal 2019.
The move aligns the wing more effectively with the resources and the organization needed for its core mission as a training base for MQ-9 Reaper and F-16 Viper aircrews.
“Our number one mission is developing combat-ready Viper and Reaper aircrew,” said Col. Joseph Campo, 49th Wing commander, in a news release. “This transition is only going to improve our ability to succeed in this endeavor.”
Holloman provides the nation with mission-ready MQ-9 pilots and sensor operators, F-16 pilots, an Air Transportable Medical Clinic and Base Expeditionary Airfield Resources assets. The wing also deploys combat-ready and mission-support forces to Air Force expeditionary operations and humanitarian efforts.
“The Fightin’ 49ers at Holloman have a long history of aviation excellence and service to our nation,” said Campo in the news release. “Our transition from Air Combat Command to Air Education and Training Command is going to improve our ability to forge combat airpower for the United States while aligning our wing under the experts for training and education in the Air Force.”
