Buccaneers celebrate 3rd anniversary at MHAFB

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  With menacing thoughts of pillaging and booty-snatching gleaming in their eyes, members of the 428th Fighter Squadron adorned in pirate attire and carrying cutlasses, rowdily sang songs and enjoyed goblets of grog.

Members of the 428th FS celebrated their third anniversary May 18 with an extravagant pirate-themed event. The anniversary bash featured a photo booth, bouncing castle, clowns, face painting and even a pool where villainous swashbucklers were made to walk the plank before being sentenced to Davy Jones' locker.

The 428th FS, also known as the Buccaneers, is a squadron composed of a unique combination of U. S. Air Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force and contract employees all tasked with operating and maintaining RSAF F-15SG aircraft at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, through the Peace Carvin V program which began in November 2009.

"I'm very proud to have been a part of this program from the very beginning, but I'm even more proud of how we've integrated the RSAF into the Gunfighter community," said Lt. Col. Michael Quintini, 428th FS commander. "The third Buccaneers anniversary is our opportunity to celebrate the unique and critical relationship between the Republic of Singapore and United States.

"More than anything, we're recognizing their hard work, amazing discipline and team work throughout the past three years," he continued.

While Jolly Rodger smartly waved in the Idaho wind, Buccaneers let loose and had a top-notch time while congratulating the best of their squadron for their achievements and triumphs, graduating two F-15SG Basic Course classes and succeeding in three major exercises - Red Flag Alaska, Combat Archer and Exercise Forging Sabre.

"We've come to understand and appreciate the incredible drive and sheer discipline of the RSAF force," said Quintini.

Personnel from the 428th FS pilot the F-15SG which is an advanced version of the F-15E Strike Eagle currently flown by two Air Force squadrons at MHAFB. At a cavalier glance, the F-15SG is indistinguishable from a Strike Eagle.

"Our strategic partnership is bolstered by continued good relations, and our interaction with the Republic of Singapore Air Force provides substantial cross-flow of ideas, techniques and procedures," said Quintini.

During the event, Aircrew and Maintainer of the Year honors were among many awards given to recognize outstanding Buccaneers.

"Congratulations to all the award winners, and happy anniversary to the Buccaneers," said Col. James McClellan, 366th Maintenance Group commander. "This unit is filled with hand-selected personnel, and to be selected as the best of the best is not easy to achieve."