BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Starting next week, residents of Aurora and neighboring communities can expect to hear F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft overhead later than usual as the 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard conducts annual night flying training.
The extended hours will last from May 4 to 20.
“Flying and executing our mission sets at night is critical to our ability to be effective in defending our nation,” said Col. D. Micah Fesler, commander, 140th Wing. “It is a skill that requires quite a bit of training to guarantee our pilots maintain proficiency.”
Over the next few months, jets will be conducting training missions and landing back at Buckley AFB as late as 8 p.m.
“We have enjoyed incomparable support from our community,” Fesler said, “and we continue to strive to be good neighbors, conscientious of our community’s concerns.”
One of the ways the unit does so is by only flying night missions during the winter months when dark hours begin earlier and therefore the training can be accomplished before too late in the evening.
As always, the community’s patience and understanding are greatly appreciated as the 140th Wing accomplishes this critical training.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Staff Sgt. Austin Harvill at austin.harvill.1@us.af.mil.