174th Fighter Wing is Now Operating Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft
Caption: New York Air National Guard Lt. Col. Sean McQuaid greets his wife and family after completing one of the last F-16 training flights being operated by the 174th Fighter Wing. The unit will now operate MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Vehicles. (Photo by Tech Sgt. Jeremy M. Call, 174th Fighter Wing).
(Syracuse, NY)(03/03/2010)(readMedia)– New York Air National Guard Lt.C Col. D Scott Brenton made his final flight in an F-16 Tuesday, March 2 as the 174th Fighter Wing prepared to say goodbye to the last of the planes they’ve operated for 20 years at Syracuse’s Hancock Airport.
Brenton is one of 25 pilots in the world to have logged more than 4,000 hours flying the F-16.
On Tuesday Brenton, Col. Kevin Bradley, the commander of the 174th Fighter Wing, and Lt. Col. Sean McQuaid made one of the last training flights from the base prior to the retirement of the last two F-16s on Saturday, March 6.
The unit will now operate MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Vehicles, and are already flying aircraft operating in the skies over Afghanistan. A formal ceremony will be conducted to mark that transition.
Brenton’s final flight was marked with the traditional Champaign wet down administered by his daughter, Rachel.
“Tell you what, it’s great to look down from above on the City of Syracuse, knowing we’ve got their support out here for 63 years flying manned fighters. And to be honest, this is the last time a manned fighter is going to land at Syracuse from the 174th and that kind of touches a spot in my heart,” Brenton said.
