Oregon Air National Guard F-15's Grounded

March 6, 2013, 6:32 pm

By Jim Ferretti, FM News 101 KXL

The Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Fighter Wing is feeling the effects of Sequestration.  142nd Fighter Wing Executive Officer Major Frank Page tells KXL, training flights have been cut back but feel their pilots are still ready to fly at any moment. "We're looking aggressively at increasing our simulator training time, in order to keep everyone trained and as ready as possible."

Also on the chopping block are ceremonial flights.  That includes flyovers on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Funerals.  "Last year we flew over 22 Oregon cities on the Fourth of July" said Major Page.

The Fighter wings annual appearance at the Oregon International Air Show has also been grounded.  In years past, F-15's have been part of the opening act of the show with their high speed flyby's.  Page says the pilots look forward every year to these types of flights, because they are a way to show Oregonians who protects the skies above the Northwest.  The air show is also a major recruiting time for the Oregon Air National Guard.  "We're able to affect a number of people positively by doing air shows and that is something we enjoy doing," Page said, "We're going to have to be working the streets a little more, its hard to get exposure to that many thousands of people at one time."

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