Hill AFB plays key role in delivering F-16s to Indonesia

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- The combined efforts of Hill Air Force Base's Ogden Air Logistics Complex, F-16 System Program Office, Defense Logistics Agency and several other Defense Department organizations will culminate in the initial delivery of three of 24 F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft to the government of Indonesia July 14.

The Indonesian government will accept delivery of one F-16C and two F-16D Block 25 aircraft here as part of an aircraft acquisition and refurbishment agreement approved by the U.S. government.

The Ogden Air Logistics Complex, or ALC, refurbished this initial batch of three F-16s, expending 15,000 man-hours to upgrade the avionics as well as overhaul the wings, landing gear, and other components on each aircraft. By the end of 2015, Ogden is scheduled to deliver 21 more F-16s to the Indonesian government.

According to a November 2011 White House press release, the deal represents the largest transfer of excess defense articles in the history of the U.S.-Indonesia bilateral partnership, and will allow the Indonesian government to significantly bolster air defense capacity without compromising the defense budget and other national priorities.

Following acceptance of the grant in January 2012, the Indonesian government committed approximately $670 million to remove the aircraft from storage, and overhaul, regenerate and upgrade the 24 aircraft.

The Block 25 aircraft, formerly flown by Air Force and Air National Guard units, had been warehoused by the Ogden ALC's 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group located at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. Aircraft began delivery from the 309th AMARG to the Hill AFB depot during May 2013, where major regeneration occurred, and completed aircraft will be accepted and delivered next week.

The deputy undersecretary of the Air Force International Affairs, Maj. Frank Taravella, said the U.S. and Indonesian militaries have steadily growing defense ties. This aircraft acquisition program is just one more building block to ensure future interoperability between the forces.

Hill AFB hosted a visit with Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Ida Bagus Putu Dunia during April 2014. During his visit, the air chief marshal visited the Hill Aerospace Museum, F-16 production line, and airspace and coastal defense radar facilities.

In addition to the chief of staff's visit, the Indonesian air force sent officials in June to observe one of the U.S. Air Force's premier air-to-air fighter exercises, Red Flag-Alaska.

"This F-16 program currently stands as the flagship program of the defense relationship between the U.S. government and Indonesia, as their fighter aircraft inventory grows by 24 American-made F-16 aircraft," Taravella said. "Indonesia is receiving a completely refurbished aircraft, with astounding workmanship, and improved capabilities."

(Courtesy of 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs)