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114th Fighter Wing Exchanges Jets with 122nd Fighter Wing

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kyle St Pierre
  • 114th Fighter Wing

JOE FOSS FIELD, S.D. – The 114th Fighter Wing is exchanging F-16s with the 122nd Fighter Wing based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, creating an opportunity to exercise mission readiness and improve relations with other units.

“By building good partners and relationships, we can work off each other’s strengths for anything that comes our way,” said Maj. Anthony Demma, director of operations, 175th Fighter Squadron.

The 122nd FW began transitioning from the A-10 ThunderBolt II aircraft to the F-16 Fighting Falcons in October 2023. The Indiana-based unit requested assistance with its mission to get pilots and maintainers the training and experience necessary to use their new aircraft. With the 122nd FW training period approaching, they asked to exchange a select number of F-16s from the 114th FW for its upgraded radar and avionic systems.

“We have a wealth of knowledge here since we’ve been flying F-16s for multiple years now,” said Demma. “Their squadron recently converted to using the F-16s, so this exchange will help ease the learning curve as they’re standing up their base.”

The exchange enables both units to work on teamwork, mission readiness, and capabilities as a total Air Force.

“The jet exchange is a really cool opportunity that we are learning from as we contribute to the total force,” said Bak.

The exchange has presented the 114th FW and 122nd FW a great way to build relations and prepare for future missions.

“Fostering a good working relationship with another base is always beneficial,” said Bak. “We’ve been there, done that, and the fact that we’re going to be able to join forces as two separate Guard units to utilize our resources is going to make it much, much easier.”