Editing Holloman Air Force Base (section)

== Role and operations ==
The 49th Wing – host wing at Holloman Air Force Base – supports national security objectives by deploying worldwide to support peacetime and wartime contingencies. The wing provides combat-ready Airmen, and trains [[General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper]] pilots (including all Spanish and British Reaper pilots<ref name="Tran 2015">{{cite web | last=Tran | first=Pierre | title=UK, France Discuss Reaper Pilot Training | website=Defense News | date=June 3, 2015 | url=https://www.defensenews.com/air/2015/06/03/uk-france-discuss-reaper-pilot-training/ | archive-url=https://archive.today/20230430032255/https://www.defensenews.com/air/2015/06/03/uk-france-discuss-reaper-pilot-training/|archive-date=April 30, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>), sensor operators and F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots. Additionally, the wing delivers Air Transportable Clinics and Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources while providing support to more than 17,000 military and civilian personnel to include German Air Force Flying Training center operations. The wing has a proud history of service in World War II, Korea, Southeast Asia, Southwest Asia and NATO-led Operation Allied Force. Holloman AFB supports{{when|date=February 2019}} about 21,000 Active Duty, [[US National Guard|Guard]], Reserve, retirees, [[United States Department of Defense|DoD civilians]] and their family members.

Holloman is home to the world's longest and fastest [[Holloman High Speed Test Track|high speed test track]]. The 846th Test Squadron set the world [[Land speed record for railed vehicles|land speed record for a railed vehicle]] with a run of 6,453&nbsp;mph (2885&nbsp;m/s or 10430&nbsp;km/h), or [[Mach (speed)|Mach]] 8.5 on 30 April 2003.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.holloman.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=6130|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202185338/http://www.holloman.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=6130|url-status=dead|title=846 TS Hypersonic Upgrade Program (contains World Speed Record video)|archivedate=2 February 2009}}</ref>

===49th Wing===
The [[49th Wing]] is the host unit at Holloman Air Force Base, supporting national security objectives with mission-ready [[MQ-9]] Reapers, Air Transportable Medical Clinic and BEAR (Base Expeditionary Airfield Resources) Base assets. The wing deploys combat-ready and mission-support forces supporting Air Expeditionary Force operations, Overseas Contingency Operations, and peacetime contingencies.

The [[49th Operations Group]] supports national security objectives, as directed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, by utilizing the Air Force's MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft. The operational squadrons are:
* [[6th Attack Squadron]] (MQ-9)
* [[9th Attack Squadron]] (MQ-9)
* 16th Training Squadron (MQ-9)
* [[29th Attack Squadron]] (MQ-9)
* 49th Operations Support Squadron

The Operations Group took over the activities of the inactivated 37th Fighter Wing at [[Tonopah Test Range Airport]] when the [[F-117A]]s were transferred to Holloman in 1993. In addition to the 49th OG, other components of the 49th Wing are:
* 49th Maintenance Group: Maintains aircraft, propulsion, avionics and accessory systems for the F-16 C/D Fighting Falcon, T-38 Talon & MQ-9 Reaper.
* 49th Mission Support Group: Provides support to all base operations, personnel, and family members.
* 49th Medical Group: Provides medical services for active duty and retired military members and their families
* 49th Materiel Maintenance Group: Maintains and deploys all equipment needed to build a "BEAR base" airfield
* Detachment 1, 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron (From [[Tyndall AFB]], [[Florida]]): Maintains and operates Q[[F-16]] Full Scale Aerial Target (FSAT) drone aircraft (Tail Code HD).

In February 2006, the [[George W. Bush administration|Bush administration]] announced that Holloman would cease to be home to the [[F-117A]] Nighthawk. This move coincided with an announcement that the [[Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk|F-117]] will be removed from service on or about 2008. On 1 March 2006, it was announced by the United States Air Force that Holloman would be the new home of two squadrons of [[F-22 Raptor|F-22A Raptors]]. In May 2014, with the inactivation of the [[7th Fighter Squadron]], the F-22 mission ceased at Holloman. The Wing's F-22s were transferred to other F-22 wings to bolster their available aircraft.

=== 96th Test Group ===
[[File:Hol-at-38b.jpg|thumb|[[Northrop Corporation|Northrop]] AT-38AB-45-NO Talon Serial 62-3660 of the 586th Flight Test Squadron (AFMC)|alt=]]
As of 18 July 2012, the [[46th Test Group]] was 'reflagged' as the [[96th Test Group]], under the new 96 TW, stationed at [[Eglin Air Force Base]], [[Florida]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eglin.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id%3D6061 |title=Factsheets : Eglin Air Force Base History |access-date=2010-09-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227083407/http://www.eglin.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=6061 |archive-date=27 December 2010 }}</ref> The 96th Test Group is an [[Air Force Materiel Command]] unit responsible for operational testing and evaluation of new equipment and systems proposed for use by these forces. Current initiatives include advanced self-protection systems for combat aircraft, aircrew life support systems, aerial reconnaissance improvements, new armament and weapons delivery systems, and improved maintenance equipment and logistics support.

Squadrons of the group have been:
* [[586th Flight Test Squadron]] – Conducts flight testing
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090304064351/http://www.holloman.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5922 746th Test Squadron] – Conducts Guidance/Navigational testing to include Internal Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090310235255/http://usafengineers.com/modules.php?name=Units&file=details&id=351 781st Test Squadron] – National RCS Test Facility
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090304051751/http://www.holloman.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5924 846th Test Squadron] – Rocket Sled Tests

Aircraft of the 96th Test Group carry the tail code "HT".

===54th Fighter Group===
In March 2014 the [[54th Fighter Group]] was reactivated at [[Holloman AFB]], NM with a mission to train F-16 aircrew members and aircraft maintenance personnel. The [[54th Fighter Group]] is a geographically separated unit of the [[56th Fighter Wing]], out of [[Luke AFB]], Arizona.

'''Components:'''
* '''Operational Squadrons'''
** [[8th Fighter Squadron]], 4 August 2017 – present
** [[311th Fighter Squadron]], 1 March 2014 – present<ref name="54FGfacts">{{cite web|url=http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=21506|last1=Robertson|first1=Patsy|title=Factsheet 54 Fighter Group (AETC)|date=2014-04-21|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=23 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424011344/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=21506|archive-date=24 April 2014}}</ref>
** [[314th Fighter Squadron]], 14 July 2015 – present<ref name="54FGfacts" />
* '''Support Units'''
** 54th Operations Support Squadron (OSS), 1 March 2014 – present
** 54th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (AMXS), 1 March 2014 – present
** 54th Maintenance Squadron (MS), March 2014 – present

===German Air Force Flying Training Center===
[[File:German Panavia Tornado.JPG|thumb|A Tornado showing the GAF/FTC emblem on the tail fin|alt=|left]]

In 1992 the [[German Air Force]] made Holloman its main pilot training center in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|last=Devine|first=Jacqueline|url=https://www.alamogordonews.com/story/news/local/holloman/2015/08/12/german-air-force-impact-holloman/32446247/|title=German Air Force impact on Holloman|newspaper=[[Alamogordo Daily News]]|date=2015-08-12|access-date=2021-07-29}}</ref> Holloman was chosen due to its weather conditions.<ref name=WarStrains>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/11/us/a-nation-at-war-a-military-town-war-strains-germans-at-american-base.html|title=A Nation at War: A Military Town; War Strains Germans at American Base|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=2003-04-11}}</ref>

On 1 May 1996, the German [[German Air Force|Luftwaffe]] established the German Air Force Tactical Training Center at Holloman.

The German Air Force Tactical Training Center activated at Holloman 1 May 1996. With the activation, 300 German military personnel and 12 [[Panavia Tornado]] aircraft joined Team Holloman. German aircrews come to Holloman for approximately three weeks for advanced tactical training and then return to Germany. The German Air Force also conducts a Fighter Weapons Instructor Course for the Tornado. Aircrews for this course come to Holloman for about six months.

{{As of|2006|11}} there are 650 German military personnel and 25 Tornado aircraft assigned to Holloman AFB.

There are numerous reasons the German Air Force trained at Holloman. The area offers great flying weather and has suitable air space. Other reasons are the proximity of Holloman to the German Air Force Air Defense Center at [[Fort Bliss]], [[Texas]], and the centralizing of German aircrew training at a single location. To facilitate this, there is a memorandum of understanding between the two governments.

[[File:FlgAusbZLw.jpg|thumb|COA of the German Air Force Tactical Training Center]]
By offering NATO allies the benefits of available space at Holloman as well as the use of the Southwest's excellent flying weather, the U.S. can help maintain the strength of NATO's forces without the expense of forward-basing U.S. forces in great numbers overseas.

On 29 September 1999, two Luftwaffe Tornados crashed near Marathon Indian Basin, about {{convert|15|mi}} northwest of [[Carlsbad, New Mexico|Carlsbad]]. The crash was investigated by Holloman AFB 49th Wing Safety and German Air Force Safety personnel. Both pilots successfully ejected, and were uninjured.

In September 2004, Luftwaffe chief of staff, Klaus-Peter Stieglitz announced a reduction in its training program of roughly 20%.

In March 2013, it was announced that German Air Force units at [[Fort Bliss]] will transfer to Holloman later that same year; this was to end the German Air Force presence at Fort Bliss dating back to 1956.<ref>{{cite news |title=German Air Force plans to leave Fort Bliss |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.armytimes.com/mobile/news/2013/03/ap-german-air-force-plans-to-leave-bliss-031113 |newspaper=Army Times |date=11 March 2013 |access-date=12 March 2013}}</ref> In 2015, due to funding constraints on the planned new facilities in Europe, the German Air Force Air Defense school was to stay open at Fort Bliss until 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_27326602/german-air-force-maintains-presence-at-bliss-air|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20150126022729/http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_27326602/german-air-force-maintains-presence-at-bliss-air|url-status=dead|title=German air force maintains presence at Bliss; air defense school to stay open to 2020|publisher=El Paso Times|archive-date=26 January 2015|access-date=1 February 2015}}</ref> On March 13, 2019, after 27 years in southern New Mexico, the German Luftwaffe ceased flight training at Holloman AFB.<ref name=GAFCC>{{cite web|url=https://www.holloman.af.mil/News/Display/Article/1785719/german-air-force-change-of-command/|access-date=26 March 2020|title=German Air Force change of command}}</ref>

===Housing Afghan refugees===

Following the [[Withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan (2020–2021)|US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021]], the Biden administration housed some Afghan refugees in military bases across the country. Up to ~5,000 Afghan refugees at a time were temporarily held at Holloman while awaiting residency processing, with a total of 7,221 having residence at Aman Omid village.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.leacountytribune.com/2021/09/12/afghan-refugees/ |title=Afghan Refugees Housed at New Mexico Military Installations |last=Duerrmeyer |first=Tia |date=September 12, 2021 |website=Lea County Tribune |access-date=August 30, 2021}}
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