SWANTON, Ohio — The Ohio Air National Guard's 180th Fighter Wing, based in Swanton, is maintaining combat readiness with nighttime training sessions and dogfight simulations until Thursday.
Normally, Swanton residents are used to hearing the F-16s fly overhead during the day. But, F-16 pilots and maintenance personnel must participate in night operations as part of their overall readiness training.
Base Commander Col. Michael DiDio said night flying is "a critical part" of their operation and they try to do about 30-40% of their training missions at night.
He said they conduct the same mission sets done during the daytime at night.
"When the air force goes to war, nighttime is not only half the day but is also a time when we have more exclusive use because our enemies don't have the capabilities at night like we do," he said.
The training exercises consist of air combat over portions of Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, which includes simulated dogfighting and close air support work.
DiDio said the base employs more than 1,000 men and women, half of whom are full-time employees.
The regular nighttime flying sessions began Monday and last until about midnight, weather permitting.
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