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The final piece from Holloman AFB arrive at Tyndall

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christopher Reel
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Air Force Reserve Command's 44th Fighter Group officially relocated from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. July 12, with an activation ceremony and assumption of command.

The 44th FG belongs to the 301st Fighter Wing, Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas and is the last piece of the Holloman puzzle to arrive at Tyndall.

The transition is a part of the Total Force Integration concept, combining active duty and reserve units. Tyndall's active duty 95th Fighter Squadron and the reservist 301st Fighter Squadron are both housed at Tyndall and support Air Combat Command missions.

Colonel John Breazeale, 301st Fighter Wing commander, presided over of the ceremony.

"We are very proud to partner with the 325th Fighter Wing to deliver total force air dominance for our nation," Breazeale said. "The 301st FW has a track record of successful Total Force Integration programs - both active and classic. We look forward to continuing the success of our F-22 Raptor classic association from Holloman in its new home at Tyndall. Our objective is to seamlessly integrate Reserve Airmen into the operations and maintenance functions at Tyndall to accomplish the air dominance mission of the 325th FW."

The 44th FG's mission is to deploy and employ the F-22 and provide unrivaled worldwide air dominance. With the relocation of the Group, a final manning footprint will be more than 250 people, explained Col. Scott Crogg, 44th FG commander. So far, the Group has relocated or hired locally from Bay and Gulf Counties almost 70 personnel.

The Holloman transfer of the 44th FG's F-22's and personnel began in February 2014. In addition to personnel, 24 Raptors have since arrived at Tyndall.

"We will integrate at all levels of operations and maintenance from planning and leadership to execution of the 325th FW's mission," Crogg said. "However, occasions may arise where we will fill special duties throughout the wing as well."

Of the 250 personnel affiliated with the 44th FG, almost 150 are fulltime employees. These individuals, for the most part, do not relocate to other assignment locations during their military career.

"This means, our employees with an average salary of more than $75,000 will live, vote, buy homes and participate as longtime residents of Bay and Gulf Counties," Crogg added. "Support of the 325th FW mission usually takes place during the week. Additionally, we work one weekend per month as well where we fly and ensure the readiness of our reserve force."

The aircraft that 44th FG will pilot and maintain are already at Tyndall. As the group continues to progress its operational capacity and gain additional personnel, tempos are expected to continue to increase at Tyndall.

"We are truly excited about partnering with the 325th FW," Crogg said. "Our time spent at Holloman with the 49th Wing was invaluable. We are very fortunate to have had an opportunity to take our lessons learned from that experience and build an even stronger more lethal force here on the Emerald Coast. The sound partnership already forged between the Checkertails and the Flying Eight Balls lays the groundwork for a longstanding relationship that will ensure the projection of unrivaled air dominance far into the future."