522nd FS makes final flight

Published Dec. 26, 2007
By Airman 1st Class Thomas Trower
27th Special Operation Wing Public Affairs

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The 522nd Fighter Squadron encased its colors, in preparation of storing the squadron legacy until it is again needed by the Air Force, Dec. 21 in Hangar 208 after its final passes over Cannon Air Force Base.

The 522nd FS was the last F-16 squadron here since the Base Realignment and Closure Commission deemed the base needed to find a new mission. The 523rd Fighter Squadron and the 524th Fighter Squadron inactivated earlier this year.

The squadron's motto of "First in, Last out" was fitting to the squadron, said Col. Tod Fingal, the 522nd FS commander who relinquished command in the ceremony. The unit was the first to call Cannon home and was the last fighter squadron to depart, he said.

The 522nd FS, known as the Fireballs, has been in service for the Air Force in some form for the past 67 years, 48 of those here. The unit served in World War II where it was the only unit in Air Force history to fight as an infantry unit, and they fought until they were captured and forced to walk in the Battan Death March. The squadron also saw service in Korea, Japan, Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and NOBLE EAGLE, and most recently in Guam.

The final pilot to fly a sortie in the name of the 522nd FS was Maj. Bob Battema. He said that at its prime, the squadron had about 21 aircraft, 30-40 pilots and 350 maintainers worked together to keep the squadron flying.

At the time of the inactivation, there were six aircraft at Cannon and 12 pilots, said Major Battema.

"This is not bittersweet at all," said the major. "This is a great moment. The Fireballs have a great history and this is a great opportunity."