301st Fighter Wing lends hand for RAV

Airman 1st Class Heather Hernandez attaches a cover, embazoned with a stylized Texas state flag, to the intake scoop of an F-16 Fighting Falcon May 13 on the flight-line at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Airman Hernandez is one of approximately 20 reservists from the 301st Fighter Wing who traveled to Whiteman to assist the 442nd Fighter Wing with an operational-readiness exercise May 14 and 15. The 442nd FW, an A-10 Thunderbolt II unit based at Whiteman, is preparing for an operational-readiness inspection in October. Pilots from the 301st FW's 457th Fighter Squadron served as opposing forces, flying training sorties to provide realistic air-to-air threats against the 442nd Fighter Wing's A-10 aircraft. The 301st FW is based at Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth, Texas. Airman Hernandez is an F-16 crew chief from the 301st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. David Kurle)