The Associated Press May 11, 2007
Cannon sees farewell flight of F-16s
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. — Two F-16 jet airplanes soared side-by-side above Cannon Air Force Base, marking the end of the 27th Fighter Wings 523rd Fighter Squadron.
The squadron, known as the Crusaders, was the first to be deactivated as the southern New Mexico base prepares for the Air Force Special Operations Command to assume command in October.
Thursday’s final flight continued an Air Force tradition, said Lt. George Tobias, a spokesman for the base.
When Lt. Col. Brad Kearney, 523rd Operations commander, emerged from one of the cockpits at the end of the flight, he was met with cheers and champagne.
“It’s only fitting that he [Kearney] did the final flight,” Tobias said.
Kearney said the squadron has 67 years of history, and the final flight “was fun and it was an honor.”
The squadron was originally activated at Barksdale Field, La., on Feb. 1, 1940, according to a Web site, http://www.globalsecurity.org. The 523rd Fighter Squadrons primary mission was to maintain the ability to rapidly deploy and support missions worldwide with day or night F-16 combat operations.
© Copyright 2007, The Associated Press
