Alamogordo NM
7-13-2023 9:47pm

Holloman Air Force Base Block Swap and Special Reactions Team Tryouts

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Lucas Fenwick, center, 49th Security Forces Squadron Base Defense Operations Center controller and traffic investigator, performs push ups as part of a Special Reactions Team

The 309th Fighter Squadron initiated an F-16 Fighting Falcon “block swap” with the 49th Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, on July 10, 2023, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.

Totaling 935 aircraft, the F-16 fleet compromises 50% of the U.S. Air Force fighter inventory. A “block swap” entails an exchange of aircraft that with differences in upgrades and capabilities.

“The F-16 has been the primary fighter aircraft of the U.S. Air Force for more than 20 years,” said Brig. Gen. Jason M. Rueschhoff, 56th Fighter Wing commander. “But as the Air Force strives for innovation and next-generation technologies, Luke aims to be fully transitioned to the F-35 in the next few years.”

In exchange for the Block 42 aircraft, the 309th FS will be receiving Block 40 aircraft from Holloman AFB. As of today, Holloman AFB has received 18 Block 42 F-16s, with three being Luke heritage jets with custom paint schemes.

The unique paint schemes honor significant events from the squadron’s history. The 309th FS has been an active squadron at Luke AFB since April 1, 1994.

“Our heritage jets have the same purpose as every other jet; to be flown for training,” said Maj. Saul Sharafinski, 309th FS F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot. “This block swap allows flexibility and standardization of the 49th Wing’s training jets.”

The 49th Wing trains F-16 pilots as well as MQ-9 Reaper pilots and sensor operators, providing combat-ready Airmen and Guardians to the U.S. Air Force.

Up to this point, Luke has received 18 Block 40 F-16s. After the last iteration of the F-16 B-course the aircraft will be sent to several bases, the first being, Fort Wayne at Indiana Air National Guard Base, Indiana.

This is part of the Air Force’s larger initiative of accelerating change and investing in the development of its fighter force structure by transforming and modernizing efforts to ensure air and space superiority.

The 49th Security Forces Squadron held a Special Reactions Team tryout at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, June 9, 2023. These tryouts qualified the top applicant for official training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in order to obtain an SRT Level-1 certification and become part of the Holloman SRT.

SRTs are a specially trained group of military law enforcement officers who respond to high-risk situations that require a higher level of tactical expertise.

“The objective for the Special Reactions Team is to take a group of specifically trained individuals and train them to counter any situation that regular patrolmen might not be able to deal with as effectively,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Chandler Docusen, 49th Security Forces Squadron unit trainer. “The goal is to encourage competitiveness by selecting one or two defenders to attend the course encouraging our defenders to constantly be developing and improving their skills.”

SRTs are the Air Force equivalent to civilian police SWAT units, with special training to handle barricaded suspects, active shooters and other particularly dangerous situations.

“There are three foundational areas we dive into when evaluating candidates and that is tactics, marksmanship and physicality,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jacob Brown, 49th Security Forces Squadron chief of standards and evaluations, weapons and tactics. “We look for defenders that know how to problem solve when faced with complex and stressful situations. If you freeze when met with adversity, you can be a liability to yourself and the team. We don’t necessarily need the strongest or fastest, but we do need applicants who can handle themselves, their equipment, and be able to get an objective quickly and effectively.”

SRTs work on an emergency basis to ensure the safety of both civilian and military members.

“Our defenders across the Security Forces enterprise are some of the most skilled, well-trained, and dynamic conventional forces within the Department of Defense,” said Brown. “A course like SRT only enhances our local capabilities to most effectively conduct air base defense and law & order operations at Holloman Air Force Base.”

Story contributors: Airman 1st Class Michelle Ferrari, 49th Wing Public Affairs  and Senior Airman Dominic Tyler, 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs. 

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