Wing commander delivers 'State of Tyndall' address

Published Sept. 15, 2010
By Senior Airman Kirsten Wicker
325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The commander of the 325th Fighter Wing addressed key civic and business leaders from Tyndall's local area Sept. 14 in the Horizons Community Center during the annual 'State of Tyndall' address.

After welcoming more than 65 community members of the Tyndall Military Affairs Committee who were present, Brig. Gen. James Browne opened his briefing by introducing the wing organizational structure and major tenant units. Community members received general information on Air Force Northern Command, the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency, and the Air Force Research Laboratory.

Describing the scope and objective of 325th FW operations, the general said, "We provide world-class training to guarantee air dominance for America and support Team Tyndall. We are the only base in the Air Force which trains solely for air dominance - that's our mission."

Using that as a springboard, he delved further into each group, pointing out statistics, facts, various award winners and successes of the units.

General Browne then addressed the area in the Gulf of Mexico known as the Gulf Range Complex, the offshore airspace over the Gulf where Tyndall pilots fly and train. "I like to think of this area as a national treasure," he said. "It is that unique and unlike any other airspace across America."

Addressing Tyndall's Environmental stewardship he said, "Tyndall is a 29,000-acre reservation, we maintain 18,000 acres in its natural state and protect more than 140 endangered species."

Commenting on recent press reports about Tyndall's environmental program General Browne said, "There is currently a policy dispute between the Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency involving our clean-up program. Discussions are taking place at senior levels and I'm confident a solution will be negotiated. However, here at the local level we will continue to execute an aggressive environmental program that is committed to protecting the environment and restoring areas damaged by past practices."

Next, the general spoke briefly about the F-15 Eagle drawdown and the addition of an F-22 Raptor squadron from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.

"The base will hold an official inactivation ceremony Sept. 21, with the final three F-15s leaving Tyndall and flying to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., later that day," General Browne said. "Once the F-15 leaves, there should be a lag time of three to four months before affected personnel are given a new assignment." Continuing, the general said, "While we do not have the exact timing, we're expecting 21 F-22 Raptors and about 650 additional positions will come to Tyndall from Holloman AFB."

General Browne then discussed Tyndall's deployment commitments.

Tyndall is one of 15 units assigned to 19th Air Force, which is charged with providing flight training for the Air Force. "Although our primary mission is training, we still deploy in support of contingency operations," said General Browne. Continuing, he pointed out that of the 2,000 19th Air Force Airmen that deployed in 2009, 500 were from Tyndall. The base currently has 196 Airmen supporting deployments.

The general concluded his presentation with an overview of upcoming events, most notably the 2011 Gulf Coast Salute Open House and Air Show, tentatively scheduled for March 26 and 27. "We will know by January if we are able to get the Thunderbirds for an aerial demonstration, and we'll lock in the date" General Browne said.

General Browne then opened the floor to audience questions, and the evening culminated with Mayor Brenda Hendricks, city of Parker, thanking the commander for presenting the information he offered.