Pentagon: Guard fighter wing to get new F-16s

Pentagon: Guard fighter wing to get new F-16s
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Nov 13, 2008 12:20:19 EST

DULUTH, Minn. — The Pentagon says the 148th Fighter Wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard in Duluth will keep flying for at least another 10 years.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England tells U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman in a letter that the 148th will replace its older Block 25 F-16s with newer Block 40s in 2013.

Those newer jets will remain in service until 2018

In a Sept. 30 letter to England, Coleman requested Block 50 F-16s as soon as possible and next-generation F-35 Lightning II planes for the long term.

Receiving the F-35s would ensure that the 148th, which employs more than 1,000 people, exists beyond 2040.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_guardfighterwing_111308/%2e



uhc comment: Good luck getting those $239,000,000 F-35s.

I can't believe he's asking for F-35s NOW.:eyes: