Highest flying time F-16 departs Luke Published Feb. 12, 2009 By Justin Oakes 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- After spending more than 24 years helping train the world's greatest F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots and maintainers at Luke Air Force Base, the Air Force's highest flying time F-16 recently left for a new destination. Aircraft 83-178, an F-16D model formerly assigned to the 61st Fighter Squadron here, accumulated 7,238 hours of flight time during its two-and-a-half decade career, but its mission is far from over. Lt. Col. Karl Schlimm, 301st Fighter Squadron pilot, flew the historic aircraft Feb. 13 to its new home with the 162nd Fighter Squadron, an Air National Guard unit at the Tucson International Airport. "I'll be flying 178 to Tucson today, and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to do so," Colonel Schlimm said earlier that day. "I've enjoyed flying the aircraft over the past few years and have enjoyed working with its crew chiefs, Staff Sgt. Eric Hayes and Senior Airman Jeremy Roe, as well." All three Airmen's names along with that of the squadron's flight surgeon, Lt. Col. Manoj Ravi, were placed on No. 178 before it made its way to the largest ANG fighter wing in the country. "It is a tribute to all of the maintainers whose outstanding knowledge and craftsmanship led this jet to fly for so long," Airman Roe said. "You must be the best to do what we do." F-16s, commonly referred to as Vipers, were designed to fly approximately 3,000 hours. By undergoing certain upgrades, the life expectancy can extend past 6,000. "It's challenging enough for any maintenance unit to keep a Viper flying considering the torturous conditions they are subjected to out here," Colonel Schlimm said. "Aircraft 178 has flown hours never envisioned by Lockheed or the Air Force, but were made possible due to the maintenance and hard work of Air Force individuals here at Luke," said Maj. Michael Dunn, 61st FS assistant director of operations. The F-16, whose tail number once read LF 83-178, which has spent its entire life at Luke, will now bear the tail mark of the 162nd FS. It's time is not yet finished as it will continue to accrue more hours and serve the Air Force in a different home.