October 18, 2025 (by MSgt. Luke Olson) - An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the South Dakota Air National Guard achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 10,000 flight hours on October 17, 2025, at Joe Foss Field.
This accomplishment is a testament to the skilled operators and the disciplined and dedicated maintenance professionals of the 114th Fighter Wing.

Col. Brandon Eskam, commander of the 114th FW, flew the sortie that pushed tail 452 into the 10,000s.

“It’s such a privilege to take aircraft 452 over the 10,000-hour mark, it’s humbling,” he said. “Two things stand out: the incredible design, the F-16 first came out in ’74, and the maintenance team has that kept it flying.”

Eskam describes a ritual before every launch, involving eye contact and a handshake exchanged between the pilot and the crew chief, which serves as a physical transfer of trust. “I will take care of the airplane, and it will take care of me.”

That ritual is also one of mutual respect and understanding for all the work that makes the launch possible.

“The unseen work is countless: inspections, documentation, and the behind-the-scenes details that people don’t see when jets are flying by,” said Staff Sgt. Mason Mathieu, dedicated crew chief with the 114th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. “A habit that pays off over thousands of hours is keeping the jet clean, which makes finding issues a lot easier.”

Every hour of flight time requires roughly 40 hours of maintenance work behind the scenes. It’s the cumulative effect that turns routine into a milestone.

“Ten thousand hours shows the pride and effort people have put in for years,” Mathieu said. “Doing the little things right every day adds up.” Mathieu added that the best advice he ever got, he still carries today. “Do your job every day like someone’s life is on the line.”

Why 10,000 matters: early F-16s were built for roughly 8,000 flight hours, but inspections and a service-life program have cleared many C/D models to fly safely up to 12,000. That’s why five-digit Vipers are showing up across the force. For the 114th Fighting Lobos, 452’s crossing stands as both local pride and proof that high standards are engrained in the culture.

As the South Dakota Air National Guard approaches their 80th Anniversary, Col. Eskam reflects on what it takes to sustain eight decades of fighter excellence.

Eskam said the unit’s culture is built by how we do the little things every day long before any milestone. “Our wing has a long history of doing things right, consistent productivity, and consistent execution. You don’t wait for the moment of truth; you make a habit of it.”

Measured against the mission, the 114th has flown the F-16 since 1992. 10,000 hours is maintenance converted into years of support for overseas combat missions and 24/7 homeland defense to protect the communities and nation these Airmen serve.

“We’ve logged 10,000 hours of either actively protecting, or preparing to protect, the United States,” Mathieu said. “For a guard unit to hit 10,000 airframe hours is a big mission.”

The F-16 took shape in another era, but the way 452 reached five digits speaks to this one. The milestone reflects durability of this airframe and it also reflects the teamwork and attention to detail that keep these jets mission-ready year after year. Every hour in the sky sits on hours of preparation and inspection on the line. At Joe Foss Field, that’s not nostalgia, it’s the job.