One year later, one year stronger

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- In a symbolic goodbye to the base, the 389th Fighter Squadron’s last five F-16s soar over the base’s flightline March 28, 2007, for the last time as they marked the completion of a five-month plan to move the these jets to McEntire Air National Guard Base, S.C., and Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Ryan Crane)

One year later, one year stronger

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Staff Sgt. Jesse Poynter, 389th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, taxis in an F-15E Strike Eagle after a mission during Red Flag 8-2.1, Jan. 23. Red Flag is a two-week long multi-national exercise training pilots in the world’s most realistic combat scenarios. The experience gained during the exercise is vital to the survival of pilots in combat. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Master Sgt. Robert W. Valenca)

One year later, one year stronger: 389th FS, AMU reflect on transition to F-15

Published April 22, 2008
By Airman 1st Class Samantha S. Crane
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- On March 29, 2007, the 389th Fighter Squadron and Aircraft Maintenance Unit said goodbye to the wing's last five F-16 Fighting Falcons, which they had flown for 16 years, and said hello to the F-15E Strike Eagle for the first time.

After working 18 years on the F-16, Senior Master Sgt. Richard Bettinger became one of many people from the 389th AMU to begin anew with the F-15E.

Sergeant Bettinger, 389th AMU assistant noncommissioned officer in charge, was one of only a handful of people who stayed with the unit after the last F-16s left.

"It was a challenge, but it was exciting," he said. "Approximately 70 percent of the personnel we received were new people. We had to build them into a team and head them in a new direction."

While it caused significant changes to his job, Sergeant Bettinger now looks at it as one of the proudest moments in his Air Force career.

"The challenges they had to deal with were enormous," said Lt. Col. Michael Koscheski, 389th FS commander. "Their leadership carried them through the challenges; they've done a great job."

But it wasn't all accomplished by the 389th alone according to Sergeant Bettinger.

"We had a lot of help from other squadrons," he said.

While all of the specialists were replaced, most crew chiefs and weapons loaders stayed, creating the monumental task of retraining them all. To help remedy the challenge, maintainers were swapped between different squadrons in order to expedite the training process.

"We can't thank the other squadrons enough for helping us," said Colonel Koscheski. "It made the transition a lot easier."

During the transition, logistical problems weren't the only challenges they faced.

There was the grounding of the F-15 fleet Air Force wide throughout the end of 2007 and the numerous operational readiness exercises in 2007 and 2008 followed by the operational readiness inspection in March. Not to mention learning how to work on a completely different aircraft.

"Some of the F-16 crew chiefs are now the best on our F-15s," said Sergeant Bettinger.

Another problem faced was the replacement of all the support equipment associated with the different aircraft. While millions of dollars worth of old equipment was being transferred to new bases, millions of dollars worth of new equipment was replacing it.

"We're still doing it today," said Sergeant Bettinger. "It's a lot of work, but we're almost there."

Looking toward the future, the 389th FS and AMU won't be slowing down as the two will soon merge into one. During future deployments, the squadron will deploy as a whole, taking almost every jet and person with them. But once again, they look forward to the challenge.

"We're still evolving; we're still getting there," said Sergeant Bettinger, "and I'm proud of each and every person."

"We're a highly motivated, young squadron," said Colonel Koscheski. "We walked in and built it from the ground up and came up with our own ways of doing business. We're one team."