New 188th Wing detachment using ‘Flying Razorbacks’ identity

A “Classic Association” includes the classic “Flying Razorbacks” imagery and moniker with a new detachment of the 188th Wing at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith. The new action supports the foreign pilot training center at Ebbing.

The 188th Wing announced Tuesday (April 14) that its operations group is establishing Detachment 2 to provide F-35A pilot and instructor training support to the 85th Fighter Group, the unit in charge of the foreign pilot training center. According to the 188th, Ebbing is the first Air National Guard installation to host a permanent active-duty mission of this kind.

“Detachment 2 is the next phase in the Classic Association of Total Force Integration at Ebbing Air National Guard Base,” Lt. Col. Daniel Muñoz, the 188th Operations Group commander, noted in a statement.

Ebbing was selected in March 2023 by the U.S. Air Force to be the long-term Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program pilot training center supporting F-35 fighter planes purchased by Singapore, Switzerland, Poland, Germany, Finland, and other countries participating in the program. The base also will house and provide training support for Republic of Singapore F-16s. The first of eight Finnish F-35A jets landed at Ebbing in January.

The new detachment will have up to 34 instructor pilots by 2029 to support the FMS program, and the 188th is bringing in personnel, including “experienced” F-35 instructor pilots from other units.

“In the beginning, Det 2 will focus on hiring personnel, establishing training programs, and coordinating with other Air National Guard (ANG) F-35A units to increase the number of 188th’s F-35A Instructor Cadre,” noted the 188th story. “The move builds on existing partnerships, with ANG F-35A instructor pilots from Alabama and Florida already contributing to the FMS training efforts at Ebbing since the program’s early days.”

According to the 188th, three 188th officers have been selected to attend an undergraduate pilot training program followed by F-35A training. The focus on hiring, according to the 188th, is to “ensure sufficient F-35A IPs are available for training foreign partners and fostering international relationships within the Department of the Air Force.”

“Bringing those same Air National Guard F-35 instructor pilots here is a natural progression that retains their experience with the FMS mission while also strengthening the 188th Wing and the partner countries along with the United States,” said Detachment 2 Commander Lt. Col. Don Roney.

Muñoz said the Flying Razorback history helps recruit officers and enlisted personnel to support the FMS mission, but a challenge is in “securing training slots for new hires quickly enough.” The 188th already supports the FMS mission with its Mission Support Group and its Medical Group.

The 188th has 1,018 military members, active and guard, and civilians supporting the mission, according to its website. The 188th is an unmanned aerial unit with three missions: remotely piloted aircraft (MQ-9 Reaper), intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and targeting (space-focused). Prior to the ongoing mission, the Ebbing-based 188th was home to various manned aircraft, including the F-4 Phantom, F-16 Falcon, and the A-10 Thunderbolt.

According to the 188th, the Flying Razorbacks was first used with the unit emblem in October 1976.

“The wild hog is a fearless and determined symbol of Arkansas and the beloved mascot of the University of Arkansas,” the 188th noted in a June 2025 Facebook post. “By adding wings to that tenacity, the 188th embraced both state pride and airpower excellence.”