New Jersey Residents to Hear F-16 Jets During Night Training Exercises

Night vision of a 177th Fighter Wing F-16 preparing for flight

Residents of New Jersey can look forward to a free air display in the coming days as the jets from the state’s Air National Guard 177th Fighter Wing engage in training exercises above the Garden State. Scheduled for February 26 and 27, as well as March 3 to 5, these nocturnal training operations come nearly a year after similar exercises were conducted over the southern regions of the state. The Fighter Wing has informed the public via their Facebook platform that the objective of these routine exercises is to “ensure mission capability and combat readiness.”

This advance notice aims to alleviate any potential concerns or surprises for locals when they hear the thunderous noise of jets overhead, a sound that is guaranteed given the power of their engines. Historically, the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing has operated various aircraft types, including the F-86E Sabre, P-51 Mustang, P-47 Thunderbolt, and F-106A/B Delta Dart. Presently, their primary aircraft is the F-16C Fighting Falcon, a model that several nations have acquired from the U.S. for their air forces.

The one-seat F-16C is typically powered by either a Pratt and Whitney F100 or a General Electric F110-GE-100/129 engine, capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 2 at altitude. With a length nearing 50 feet and a wingspan exceeding 32 feet, these aircraft are expected to be easily noticed and heard by local residents. However, glimpsing the interior of an F-16 may not be as readily attainable. The noise, particularly during the night, might be hard for some to overlook, which prompts the 177th to express their gratitude for the community’s ongoing support of their “Jersey Devils.”

The ‘Jersey Devils’ Hold a Dual Mission to Safeguard the Skies

New Jersey Air National Guard 177th Fighter Wing

The nickname “Jersey Devils” has been associated with New Jersey’s Air National Guard 177th Fighter Wing for many years, drawing inspiration from the winged creature closely tied to local folklore and also the name of the state’s professional hockey team. For generations, tales have recounted the existence of this mythical being within New Jersey’s iconic Pine Barrens, a vast wooded area in the southern part of the state. The Atlantic City International Airport, situated inland and removed from the coastal tourist attractions, is the home base for the 177th Fighter Wing.

Since its inception in 1917, the 177th Fighter Wing has undergone various transformations, officially adopting its current name in 1995 after relocating to the Atlantic City International Airport in 1958. Over the decades, the Air National Guard unit has been activated twice by the federal government since World War II and played a crucial role in protecting the airspace of the northeastern United States during the Cold War when Russian bombers frequently neared American borders. Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, the 177th carried out patrols over New York City and its surrounding regions.

With a constitutionally mandated mission to serve both state and national interests, the 177th Fighter Wing must continually maintain its aircraft and be prepared to respond promptly, which is the driving force behind their upcoming training exercises. Even though the F-16s operated by the Jersey Devils are becoming somewhat older, they remain very effective in combat scenarios. This capability might also raise the possibility of the F-16s serving as a valuable addition to Maryland’s Air Guard, which currently lacks operational jets.