The 180th Fighter Wing has been assigned a temporary Military Operating Airspace west of Findlay for Exercise Solemn Stinger, scheduled to take place from June 7 to June 17 and July 5 to August 6.
This training exercise is designed to test the ability of 180FW pilots and maintenance personnel to perform multiple phases of training in multiple local MOAs and to provide high operations tempo basic fighter and air combat maneuver training involving abrupt, unpredictable changes in altitude and direction of flight.
Those living in and around the Findlay, Ottawa and Defiance areas may hear and see low-flying fighter jets participating in the exercise from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Although scheduled for these times, the exercise flights could be delayed due to weather concerns.
The temporary MOA covers a 400 square mile area and is approximately 50 miles from the Toledo Express Airport, 300 percent closer to the 180FW than the nearest permanent MOA in Southern Ohio and Northern Michigan. The proximity of the airspace allows the pilots to reduce fuel consumption while travelling, allowing them to spend more time training and more fuel for combat maneuvers.
All aircraft participating in the exercise will be F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 180FW. Approximately four to eight sorties per day are expected to use the airspace during the exercise. The aircraft will fly between the altitudes of 5,000 and 19,000 ft. above ground.
