"We picked up Deny Flight about a week early. It was out of necessity really," noted Lt. Col. Gary West, 510th FS commander.
Tackling the challenges of bedding down a fighter squadron, its people and aircraft can be tough with a combat operation demanding attention. "It was quite an accomplishment for us," West said.
The endless laundry list of challenges the squadron faced might put a dent in even the most hardened military men and women,, especially while working an ongoing, operational mission out of tents.
The squadron worked from as many as three different temporary facilities for much of the year, but nonetheless flew all their Deny Flight requirements and for good measure. added seven deployments to the mix.
According to West the 510th flew more than 5,500 hours and 3,500 sorties during its first year of activation. The squadron deployed members and five jets to RAF Lakenheath, England, for two weeks in support of the William Tell competition practice for U.S. Air Forces in Europe in August. In October the squadron deployed to Trapani, Italy, for 45 days of training under the Tactical Leadership Program, enhancing the qualifications of the aircrews to work hand-in-hand with NATO counterparts.
In November, 120 people deployed with nine aircraft to Decimomannu, Italy, for dissimilar air combat training with the Royal Air Force. The squadron went to Belgium for more training in January. It's an "at home flying combat one month, gone for training the next" kind of lifestyle for this premier squadron. Since January, the squadron has deployed on three more occasions.
During one of the more recent deployments, it came up with so many firsts, it could only be called Five and Dime pioneering: first 31st Fighter Wing unit to fire the newest maverick missile, AGM-65G and to drop live laser-guided GBU- 12,500 pound bombs and first USAFE unit to drop four MK-84 2,000-pound bombs and 12 MK-82500 pound bombs from a single aircraft.
West attributes the squadron's accomplishments to these men and women of the unit, who, "despite all the conditions, made it happen."
"We've gone through our growing pains, but now our focus is on the things yet to come."
One feat that stands out to any onlooker is the constant dedication of squadron members to be nothing less than NATO-capable today not waiting for tomorrow.
Pockets of intense fighting in Bosnia during November led the 510th to accelerate its Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night training program. The Five and Dime became the first F- 16 unit to fly laser guided bombs in Deny Flight, bringing NATO precision bomb capability with nine fully qualified pilots.
"We did it in about a week," West said. "It was a tremendous effort on the part of the entire wing, but I'm particularly proud the squadron stood up to that because the mission simply demanded it and we delivered."
The squadron also planned and worked a joint venture with the 555th FS, to become the only F-16 "Gaining those two capabilities in a L ~ peacetime world is truly significant," the commander said. To have been able to concentrate on one accomplishment at a time would have been pure luxury for
"To gain those capabilities as we continued our deployments, as we continued our bi-monthly Deny Flight taskings and with all our continuing training and our responsibility to maintain aircraft in a constant state of readiness; it was nothing short of remarkable," West said.
Five and Dime members didn't just stand up to the year's challenges either -- they went looking for them. Maintainers equipped the fleet with 8 millimeter tapes to complete their weapons system's laser-guided capability. The Air Force had put this upgrade on temporary hold, but 510th maintainers didn't wait. They moved forward whenever they could.
"We took hold of that upgrade on our own for our pilots. It helps in the debriefing by recording several functions in the jet that the previous system wouldn't allow," West noted. "We did it because we needed it. It was an aggressive modification on the part of our folks here."
The commander said he applauded the squadron for its strength in facing a tough year, full of adversity and an operational tempo that is inconceivable for many in the Air Force.
"They did it with professionalism, hard work and selfless devotion to the mission." In return, the commander said his focus would be on making sure members and their families were priority one and made as comfortable as possible here throughout the year.
"I can concentrate on that because I know the mission will be taken care of," he said.
