Lockheed Martin honors IN-ANG for 60,000 accident free hours

Fort Wayne, Indiana
Monday, 12 January 2009
Indiana Air National Guard
122nd Fighter Wing

Flight Line Radio was invited to attend a ceremony to commemorating a very special milestone in the history of the Indiana Air National Guard.

The 122nd Fighter Wing received a Unit Safety Award for achieving more than 60,000 hours of accident free flight in the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Lockheed Martin representatives presented the award making special note of a list of accomplishments of the 122nd fighter wing in the development of the F-16 throughout its deployment.

The backdrop for the presentation was the "Orange Tail" heritage jet.

The heritage jet was painted to honor the 122nd Fighter Wing's parent unit, the 358th Fighter Group and for a very special event. In October the wing hosted 10 original members of the "Orange Tails" and their families for their final reunion.

History of the 122nd

The 358th was activated in January 1943 at Richmond Army Air Base in Virginia. Flying P-47D Thunderbolts, the 358th flew interdiction and bomber escort missions from England until D-Day. As the Allies advanced, they took on the role of ground support, including "tank busting." Following the surrender of Germany, the group redeployed to the United States in July 1945, and were officially inactivated the following November. In May of 1946, the group was redesignated as the 122nd Fighter Group, which later became the 122nd Fighter Wing, and assigned with all honors and colors to the Indiana Air National Guard. During the war the 358th, known as the "Orange Tails" for their distinctive bright orange aircraft markings, was awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations, and the Croix de Guerre.

Pictures and audio to the event at Flight Line Internet Radio!

[Posted with permission]