388th inactivates, 390th 'Wild Boars' change mission

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. David Liapis
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  "History is repeating itself once again," said Col. Kyle Robinson, 366th Operations Group commander during the 390th Fighter Squadron's re-designation ceremony Sept. 27.

The 390th Wild Boars once again became the 390th Electronic Combat Squadron, as they were from 1982 to 1992 when the EF-111 Raven was flown out of Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, under the 390th ECS designation.

Nothing has changed for the 388th ECS, which flies Navy E/A-6B Prowlers and E/F-18G Growlers out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., except for the designation, which is now the 390th ECS.

In 1992, the Air Force re-designated the 390th ECS as the 390th FS, which began flying what was then the Air Force's premier air superiority aircraft, the F-15C Eagle. The recent departure of the F-15Cs from Mountain Home was dictated by the 2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission as a means of saving money.

"We have done what we can and have always been ready to go ... until the last plane was gone," said Lt. Col. James Stratton, 390th FS commander, during the ceremony in reference to what Colonel Robinson termed "A culmination of a plan laid out five years ago."

The last two F-15C Eagles in Idaho, belonging to the 390th FS, departed Mountain Home Sept. 23 after 18 years of service. During that time, the squadron provided support for Operations Northern Watch, Southern Watch and Noble Eagle.

"It's hard not to be excited about the lineage we are inheriting," said Lt. Col. Donald McFatridge as he assumed command of the 390th ECS. He assured everyone in attendance, including members of the outgoing and incoming commands, as well as Col. Ron Buckley, 366th Fighter Wing commander, and Mountain Home Mayor Tom Rist that "The legacy of the Wild Boars is going to live on as the 390th Electronic Combat Squadron."