CONTACT: Media Advisory for Memorial Day F-16 Flights

FOR RELEASE: Monday, May 25, 2009

HANCOCK FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, SYRACUSE (05/22/2009)-- Aircrews and F-16 C Fighting Falcon aircraft from the New York Air National Guard's 174th Fighter Wing will mark their final support to Memorial Day ceremonies across New York State on Monday, May 25. The 174th Fighter Wing has flown the F-16C Fighting Falcon for almost 20 years. The 174th Fighter Wing has been deployed nine times to South-West Asia in support of various operations. The last such deployment was this past summer, when the unit returned in August after supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom while being station at Balad Air Base, Iraq. This fall the unit will be the first Air National Guard unit to fly combat operations with the unmanned MQ-9 Reaper, while still supporting combat operation requirements for the F-16. The 174th Fighter Wing will continue fly the F-16 until March 2010. "In the air and on the ground, all of us are honored to participate in a number of Memorial Day ceremonies across this great state. In support of these events, we remember to honor and give thanks to those who have died in service to our nation", said Col. Kevin W. Bradley, 174th Fighter Wing Commander. For many decades, the New York Air National Guard's 174th Fighter Wing supported military fly-bys for public commemorations of Memorial Day. As the Fighter Wing begins its transformation to conducting flight operations with the MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), this year will be the final support for Memorial Day ceremonies across the state from Hancock Field. This year, 31 Central New York communities will see the overflight of the wing's F-16 Fighting Falcon for their Memorial Day events. Supported Community Organizations include: AML Post #86; Susquehanna, PA 18847 Am. Legion Post #140; Canastota, NY 13032 John Cool Am. Legion Post #257; Port Byron, NY 13140 Town of Penfield Penfield; NY 14526 Memorial Day Parade ;Brookfield, NY Am. Legion Post #88 ;Cazenovia, NY Am. Legion Post #1276; Eastwood, NY AML Post #1540 & VFW #8664; Camillus, NY VFW Memorial Post; Fabius, NY Am. Legion Post 965 ;Truxton, NY 13158 VFW Phoenix Memorial Post ;Phoenix, NY 13135 Weedsport Central School; Weedsport, NY Am. Legion Post #806; Bainbridge, NY VFW Post #1955; Lafayette, NY Red Creek Memorial Day ;Red Creek, NY Village of Fayetteville ;Fayetteville, NY Village of Central Square; Central Square, NY East Syracuse; E. Syracuse, NY Village of Elbridge; Elbridge, NY American Legion Post #239 ;Skaneateles, NY American Legion Post #858; Cleveland, NY American Legion Post#297 ;Marcellus, NY Lee Center American Legion ;Lee Center, NY Cicero American Legion ;Cicero, NY Solvay-Geddes Memorial Assoc.; Solvay, NY Rome Memorial Day Observance ;Rome, NY Village of Minoa; Minoa, NY VFW Moravia ;Moravia, NY Neahwa Park ;Oneonta, NY Cavalry Club ;Manlius, NY American Legion ;Old Forge, NY