Flying Training Center at Holloman AFB (NM) completed 55,555 Tornado
flight hours Oct. 13, and a reception commemorating the accomplishment
shortly followed.
German air force members shared the momentous occasion with the 49th
Fighter Wing by inviting the wing commander to accompany the GAF FTC
commander in the flight.
"It's a real honor for me to have been invited to be a part of this
ceremony," said Col. Jeff Harrigian, 49th FW commander. "Fundamentally,
this is in appreciation of all the hard work that the German Flying
Training Center has undergone for the last several years for this
accomplishment to occur and for them to allow me to be a part of it is
really an honor."
The sharing of the flight was a gesture that exemplified the continued
friendship between the two nations.
"[The 55,555th flight hour] is based on friendship with the community,
friendship with Holloman and a lot of dedication and professionalism of
our men and women of the flying training center," said Col. Peter
Klement, GAF FTC commander. "Certainly this occasion could not be
possible no matter how hard we worked, no matter how dedicated we are,
if it wasn't for our friends at Holloman Air Force Base and our friends
in the community of Alamogordo."
The German Tornado that the two commanders made the historic feat in
received a unique paint job before the flight and everyone who attended
the reception got to witness it up close as they taxied in front of the
event.
"The commander held a competition to choose the best art design
concept," said Tina McClain, artist for the 55,555 ceremonial Tornado
and painter for the GAF Tornado aircraft.
Senior Airman Kiro Pinter of the GAF FTC won with his plan of an
animated picture of a cartoon-like blue clock running through the side
of the Tornado, representing the continuance of the mission -- "to keep
it going."
Ms. McClain said it took five weeks to paint the aircraft.
The underside of the aircraft was painted with the New Mexico flag
design. On the left side of the tail is a landscape of Sierra Blanca,
and the Organ Mountains are depicted on the right side of the tail.
These are representative of the major landmarks around the Tularosa
Basin.
"Flying in this airplane which is painted up in this spectacular
fashion was very cool," Colonel Harrigian said after the flight.
All in all, the new paint job, the flight and the celebration marked an
accomplishment that was more than 13 years in the making, and Colonel
Klement said he hopes that the 55,555th flight hour is only the midway
mark of the GAF FTC's flight hours here.
"For the next years to come, we hope to be guests here on base with the
same friendship we see from the community and the base," he said.
On behalf of the 49th FW, Colonel Harrigian congratulated the Germans
on a job well done.
"It really goes to show you that together we have put together a team
that accomplishes a tremendous variety of missions that are important
to our nation," the wing commander said. "I thank them for allowing us
to be a part of this."
Sondra Escutia (AFNS)
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