German Air Force to end contract with Holloman AFB

By

The Associated Press

Soldiers and civilians from 5th Armored Brigade, Division West, alongside German air force Capt. Norfried “Maxx” Paetz, pose for a photograph in front of the German Tornado fighter jet. (Photo courtesy of Luftwaffe Public Affairs, Holloman Air Force Base)

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. — The German Air Force is terminating its contract to train its pilots at Holloman Air Force Base.

The Alamogordo Daily News reports that the Luftwaffe will end its mission training German pilots in Tornado aircraft by 2019. The German pilots have been a presence at Holloman since 1992.

Commander of German forces in the United States Col. Heinz-Josef Ferkinghoff says the German Air Force Flying Training Center has appreciated Holloman’s hospitality and that the development is a sad one.

He says the termination is due to tactical and logistical reasons more than finances, as it is easier to take care of the Tornados fleet in Germany.

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