From: ASC/PA Public Affairs Office
Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2005 10:01 AM
Subject: NEWS RELEASE: First F-16s for Oman Roll Out

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE

Aeronautical Systems Center Public Affairs Office

937-255-3334

#2005-52

August 24, 2005

NEWS RELEASE

First F-16s for Oman roll out

By Susan Ferns
ASC Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – Representatives of the two Wright-Patterson organizations that are implementing the first Foreign Military Sale of fighter aircraft to Oman participated in a ceremony for the first Omani Fighting Falcons at Lockheed Martin Aero’s production line in Fort Worth, Texas, Aug. 4.

The Aeronautical Systems Center (represented by Col. Mike Williams, Fighter Attack Systems Wing commander, and Col. Scott Jansson, F‑16 Systems Group commander) and the Air Force Security Assistance Center (represented by Col. Lawrence Avery, Director, Global Management) are both involved in executing the Peace A’sama A’safiya (Clear Skies) Program, under which Oman purchased 12 advanced Block 50 F-16s – eight single-seat F-16Cs and four dual-seat F‑16Ds.  The Omani F-16s are powered by General Electric F110-GE-129 engines.

HQ USAF and CENTAF interest in this program was evidenced by the participation of Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Vice Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., and former commander of the 9^th Air Force and U.S. Central Command Air Forces, and Lt. Gen. Walter E. Buchanan, current commander of the 9^th AF and CENTAF. 

Also present was Gen. Chuck Horner (ret.), 9^th AF and CENTAF commander during Operation Desert Storm.  The FMS sale of F-16s to Oman took place in 2002 during General Moseley’s tenure.

Lt. Gen. Jeffrey B. Kohler, Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency, and Bruce S. Lemkin, deputy undersecretary of the Air Force for International Affairs, participated in the ceremony, along with His Excellency Mohammed Al-Khusaiby, ambassador from the Sultanate of Oman to the U.S. and senior officers from the Omani Ministry of Defense and Royal Air Force.

“Oman is the fifth Arab nation and the third member of the Gulf Cooperation Council to acquire the F-16,” said Lt. Gen. Walter E. Buchanan.  “With Oman now flying one of the same aircraft as the U.S., it not only promotes interoperability within the region, but it also develops closer ties between the Airmen of different nations.”

“FMS is an instrument of our foreign policy which enhances the national security of the U.S.,” Colonel Jansson said.  “This event marks a significant milestone in our continuing partnership with Oman in the Global War on Terrorism.”

As Colonel Avery summed it up, “Foreign Military Sales is not about selling weapons; it’s about maintaining relationships that will pay dividends in peace and security for both nations in the partnership.”

“The United States has had a friendly relationship with Oman since the early years of American independence.  The Sultanate of Oman was the first Arab country to establish diplomatic relations with the U.S., and we have had a security cooperation agreement for more than two decades.”

AFSAC crafted and administers the FMS case for the Peace A’sama A’safiya (Clear Skies) Program, and ASC’s F-16 Systems Group is responsible for executing the program and delivering the weapon system.  The U.S. Air Force acquires the aircraft on behalf of the FMS country.  The F-16 Systems Group is responsible for managing the development and integration of capabilities, testing, production and delivery of Oman’s F-16s.

The F-16 Systems Group Peace A’sama A’safiya (Clear Skies) Security Assistance Program Manager, Kirt Hileman, is responsible for carrying out the terms of the Letter of Offer and Acceptance, developed and amended as necessary by AFSAC.  The LOA is effectively a contract between Oman and the United States.

As SAPM, Hileman, working with Lockheed Martin, the 508^th Fighter Sustainment Group at Hill AFB, Utah, and other government agencies, is responsible for the production and delivery of the 12 aircraft, as well as support equipment, spare parts, and maintenance and pilot training.  For example, he will work with the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom AFB, Mass., to obtain mission planning capability, and with Air Combat Command to coordinate the delivery flights to Oman. 

The ceremony was hosted by Ralph Heath, president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company.  The unveiling of the aircraft was preceded by a high tech video show with flashing lights and footage of the aircraft demonstrating its capabilities projected against the curtain which then dropped to reveal the aircraft that just rolled out. 

Immediately following the ceremony the group moved outside for an aerial demonstration that showcased the agility of the F-16 in flight. 

The first Omani F-16s rolled out about a month early to ensure delivery in time for Oman’s 35^th National Day.  The first two aircraft will be ferried to Oman in October.  Oman’s National Day, which coincides with the birthday of its leader, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Sa’id Al Bu Sa’id, is Nov. 18. 

The remaining aircraft in the contract will be delivered by July 2006.  Once the aircraft are delivered, Oman will become the twenty-second country to fly F-16s.

   – USAF –

NOTE TO MEDIA:  High resolution images are available upon request.

FORT WORTH, Texas – Air Vice Marshall Yahya Al-Juma, commander of the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO), in the cockpit of the first F-16C for Oman to roll off the Lockheed Martin Aero production line.  He is accompanied by Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Vice Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.  General Moseley was 9^th AF and CENTAF commander at the time of the FMS sale of 12 F-16s to Oman.  He has been confirmed by the Senate and will become the Chief of Staff of the Air Force on Sept. 2.  (Photo courtesy of the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company)

FORT WORTH, Texas – Capt. Saleh Al-Harasi, Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO), in the cockpit of the first F-16C for Oman to roll off the Lockheed Martin Aero production line.  He is accompanied by Kirt Hileman, Peace A’sama A’safiya (Clear Skies) Security Assistance Program Manager, F-16 Systems Group, Fighter Attack Systems Wing, at the Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.  Capt. Al-Harasi is Oman’s foreign liaison officer at ASC for the F-16 program. (Photo courtesy of the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company)

FORT WORTH, Texas – Major Abdullay Al-Kiyumi, Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO), in the cockpit of the first F-16C for Oman to roll off the Lockheed Martin Aero production line.  He is accompanied by Col. Scott Jansson, Commander, and Col. Melinda Grant, Chief of Programs, F-16 Systems Group, Fighter Attack Systems Wing, at the Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.  Major Al-Kiyumi was Oman’s foreign liaison officer at ASC.  (Photo courtesy of the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company)

FORT WORTH, Texas – Representing Oman and some of the U.S. military organizations that made Oman’s FMS purchase of 12 advanced Block 50 F-16s possible are Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) Col Abdullah Al-Balushi, Director, F‑16 Project, RAFO Air Commodore Younis Al-Balushi, Director of Projects; Col. Mike Williams, Commander, Fighter Attack Systems Wing, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; Air Vice Marshal Yahya Al-Juma, Commander, Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO); Kirt Hileman, F-16 Systems Group Peace A’sama A’safiya (Clear Skies) Security Assistance Program Manager, F-16 Systems Group, ASC, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; Col. Melinda Grant, Chief of Programs, F-16 Systems Group, ASC, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; Col. Robert McMurry, F-16 Program Manager and Commander, 508^th Fighter Sustainment Group, Hill AFB, Utah; Col. Scott Jansson, Commander, F-16 Systems Group, Fighter Attack Systems Wing, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; and Janet Tremelling, Chief, International Programs Squadron, 508^th Fighter Sustainment Group, Hill AFB, Utah.  (Photo courtesy of the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company)