Shaw AFB ORE?

Shaw Air Force Base may be having an ORE (Operational Readiness Exercise). F-16s from the 55th Fighter Squadron and the 79th Fighter Squadron have been flying missions to Townsend Range, the Bulldog MOA, and W-161/177 the last few days. On return from these missions, they have been heard making mission reports on the Shaw Command Post frequency. The actiivty on the Command Post frequency in particular seems consistent with ORE/ORI type traffic.

381.300 - Shaw Command Post
311.200 - 55th FS Ops
139.975 - 55th FS air-to-air
141.650 - 55th FS air-to-air
141.900 - 55th FS air-to-air
320.525 - 79th FS Ops
139.700 - 79th FS air-to-air
141.550 - 79th FS air-to-air
141.600 - 79th FS air-to-air
141.700 - 79th FS air-to-air

228.400 - Townsend Range
343.750 - Bulldog MOA
279.575 - DOUBLESHOT (W-161/177)
258.400 - DOUBLESHOT (W-161/177)
381.350 - DOUBLESHOT (W-161/177)

Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

20th Fighter Wing Air-to-Air Changes

Late in July, I posted about the change of Shaw AFB's VHF SOF frequency. For the last few weeks, I have been intermittently tracking changes in Shaw's 20th Fighter Wing air-to-air frequencies. Unfortunately my schedule hasn't let me identify a lot of the changes I have noted that the 55th Fighter Squadron and the 79th Fighter Squadron have been using new air-to-air frequencies:

138.100 - 55th FS air-to-air
141.650 - 55th FS air-to-air
142.400 - 55th FS air-to-air

139.925 - 79th FS air-to-air (previously used by 77th FS)
141.550 - 79th FS air-to-air

It will take some time monitoring these frequencies to determine preset numbers. If anyone happens to hear any preset numbers for the above or if you hear any other new air-to-air frequencies for the 20th FW, please pass them on.

Mac McCormick, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

Article on the 20th FIghter Wing at Shaw AFB

The current issue of Combat Aircraft magazine (Vol. 8, No. 6) has an excellent article on the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw AFB. It includes information on their Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) and Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (DEAD) missions, upgrades to the Wing's F-16s, and the missions that they have flown down to the Avon Park Range in recent months.

The article is particularly useful to those of us who monitor their missions in the Bulldog MOA because it describes just what they are doing when they mix close air support and SEAD/DEAD (distinguished by "MAGNUM" calls and comms with BEEFEATER) tasks.

Mac McCormick, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net

McEntire JNGB and Shaw AFB Sign Memorandum of Understanding

This article is from the 14 October 2007 issue of "The Item", the Sumter, SC newspaper. It will be interesting to see what this means for those of us who monitor both the 169th Fighter Wing and the 20th Fighter Wing.

McEntire, Shaw sign initiative
‘Momentous occasion’ strengthens bases’ ties

By JOE PERRY
Item Staff Writer
jperry@theitem.com


A brief Saturday afternoon ceremony at McEntire Joint National Guard Base served to further the relationship between Shaw Air Force Base and its nearby counterpart as commanders from both bases signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

The initiative directs the operation and administration of the Active Associate unit now operating at McEntire and is aimed at utilizing the experience of Air National Guard men and women to foster training and development of Air Force pilots and maintenance specialists. The unit also gives the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire bolstered manpower in fully realizing its Air Expeditionary Force.

With a Swamp Fox F-16 looming in the corner of the main hangar, Col. Keith Coln, commander of the 169th Fighter Wing, noted the memorandum was a “momentous occasion” and signified the strengthening relationship between the bases.

“We’re going to pursue a common mission,” Coln said, “we protect the same Constitution. And whether you fly in my wing, or I fly in your wing, together we’re going to achieve. Together we’re going to set new goals, we’re going to make new accomplishments, and we’re going to achieve what our leaders want us to achieve for our national security objectives and to protect our country in this Global War on Terror that we’re engaged in today.”

To protect the country, he said, each base has to count on one another.

Col. James N. Post III, commander of the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw, said there are only 25 miles between the bases, “but we’ve been separated by those 25 miles up until today.”

Post said the day marked the beginning of “what I know will be a long-term relationship between the 20th Fighter Wing and the 169th.”

As the detachments continue to grow, he said, they will both realize “what Total Force really means,” and the opportunity it affords both bases to “build a synergy that can remain second to none.”

“We’re all part of the same U.S. Air Force,” he said, built upon the same foundation with the same core values of integrity, excellence and service above self.

“We’ll continue to grow stronger and grow together,” Post said, thanking everyone for the opportunity, “and for what you mean for our Air Force and the National Guard and for what you’ll do for these folks here at the 20th Fighter Wing on active duty.”

Coln then told his counterparts they were now part of the Swamp Fox family.

“You’ll always be Swamp Foxes,” he said, “no matter where you go.”

Coln said after the ceremony that McEntire — known as Congaree Air Base until a name change in 1961 — celebrated its 60th anniversary last year.

Contact Staff Writer Joe Perry at jperry@theitem.com or (803) 774-1272.