Volk Field Air National Guard Base (ANGB) is located in central Wisconsin, approximately three hours drive Northwest from Chicago. As one of four Combat Readiness Training Center's (CRTC) it provides airfield and range facilities that accommodate more than 200 ANG, AFRES, ARMY, Marine Corps, Naval Reserve and Air Force units annually.

The primary purpose for Volk is to provide year-round training for deployed ANG units to enhance their combat readiness. The facilities approximate a Forward Operating Location (FOL), allowing units to train in a way that cannot be accomplished at their home station. The entire unit will deploy to Volk and conduct Operational Readiness Exercises and Inspections (ORE, ORI) under realistic deployment scenarios.

Hardwood Range

Directly under the control of the CRTC at Volk is the Hardwood Range (R-6904). This Class A Range is one of fifteen ANG ranges located throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The range provides realistic targets for air-to-ground weapons delivery for fighters detached to Volk. It also provides day-to-day use for ANG/AFRes units in neighboring States and regular Air Force bomber units from throughout the U.S. But priority use is given to units deployed to Volk.

The first aircraft started using the range in 1955. Since that time notable uses include special testing for the F-15E and a special DoD Joint Camouflage, Concealment and Deception (JCCD) evaluation following Desert Storm.

Ready Norseman

In the 1980s The Field hosted large scale Composite Force Training Exercises - called Sentry Independence - with up to 100 aircraft. Defence cutbacks since have reduced the scale of these exercises but the importance of Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT) is still realized and smaller exercises comprising two or three different units/aircraft types are still carried out on a regular basis at Volk under the title of 'Ready Norseman'.

Visiting 'Bats'

Deployed at Volk during our visit on the 13th August 2001 was 10 x F-16C's and 1 x F-16D from the 174th Fighter Squadron, 185th Fighter Wing, Iowa ANG. The 'Bats' deployment comprised the following a/c...

F-16C 85-1547 Unmarked including tail
 F-16C 85-1548 'Twouble Maker' nose art
F-16C 85-1554 'Special Delivery' nose art
F-16C 85-1561 'The Butcher' nose art
F-16C 85-1565 'Super Sonic II' nose art
F-16C 85-1566 'Bud' nose art
F-16C 85-1568 'The Beast' nose art
F-16C 85-1569 'Double Barrel' nose art
F-16C 85-1570 'The Widow Maker' nose art
F-16D 86-0042 'The Deuce' nose art
F-16C 86-0249 'Exterminator' nose art

The 174th's F-16s are Block 30s and come equipped with the Northrop Grumman LITENING II Airborne Laser Target Designator and Navigation pod. The majority of the 'Bat's Falcons were previously assigned to the 56TTW at MacDill AFB.

* The 174th FS will be featured in Unit #02-04 coming later in the year.

We would like to thank Lt.Col Gunther Neumann, Commander, Volk CRTC for allowing us to visit Volk in August. Thanks also to SMSgt. Milem in Ops who was extremely helpful. We would also like to thank the Sioux City EOR crews for re-spotting the aircraft, which enabled us to get some cracking shots of the 'Bats'.
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A F-16C from the 174th Fighter Squadron (185th Fighter Wing, Iowa ANG) is marshalled to it's EOR spot as a T-38A from the Whiteman based 509th Bomb Wing shoots approaches. The 174th were deployed at Volk during 'Sharpshooters' visit in August 2001.
© Kevin Jackson
 EOS-1N 35-350mm K64 250/f8

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With hands clearly displayed off the controls, the pilot of 85-1570 'BAT 42' waits for his 'last chance' checks to be completed before departing on a CAS (Close Air Support) training mission, August 13th 2001.
© Peter Greengrass
 EOS-1V 70-200mm K25 250/f5.6
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'BAT 51' Fitted with a Northrop Grumman Litening II Targeting pod. 85-1569 is a Block 30 F-16C, formerly assigned to the 432nd TFW at Misawa and then to the 56th TTW, MacDill AFB. It arrived at Sioux Gateway Airport in June 1992.
Peter Greengrass
EOS-1N 70-200mm K25 125/F8
 'Bud' 85-1466 shoots approaches on arrival back from the ranges. The majority of the 174th's Vipers carry nose art. For more info plus pictures see UNIT 02-04.
Kevin Jackson
EOS-1N 35-350mm K64 500/F5.6
Under the watchful eye of the EOR crews, BAT 41/42 get there final checks before departing for a CAS training mission over the McCoy and Hardwood ranges.
Peter Greengrass
EOS-1N 70-200mm K25 250/F5.6

After completing their 'Last Chance' checks the Sioux City EOR Crew wait for 'BAT 52' the last F-16C of a 3-ship mission, to depart.
Peter Greengrass
EOS-1N 70-200mm K64 200/F8
85-1554 'Bat 62' loaded with BDU-50s (Practice Mk.82s) modified with a BSU-49 high drag tail assembly. The "ballute" air bag which deploys from the tail provides a high speed, low altitude delivery capability by quickly slowing the bomb and allowing the aircraft to escape the blast pattern
Peter Greengrass
EOS-1N 70-200mm K25 250/F5.6		 A trailer load of BDU-50s sits ready for use as a Viper from the early morning launch returns to the ramp. The BDU-50 is a 500 lb. Air Force practice bomb with a spotting charge that releases a cloud of smoke on impact.
Peter Greengrass
EOS-1N 70-200mm K25 250/F5.6
'Bat 42' gives the photographer the 'thumbs up' prior to launching on another training mission. The 'Bats' flew eleven sorties on this day. Mission profiles included OCA (Offensive Combat Air), DCA (Defensive Combat Air) and ,CAS (Close Air Support).
Peter Greengrass
EOS-1N 70-200mm K25 250/F5.6		 'The Deuce' F-16D 86-0042 returns to the ramp after going 'tech', watched closely by the Safety Officer 'SOF'
Peter Greengrass
EOS-1N 70-200mm K64 200/F8
The 174th FS have flown single seater Fighters since it's inception in 1945 but are due to receive KC-135's and transition to the Air Refueling business in 2003.
Peter Greengrass
EOS-1N 70-200mm K25 250/F5.6		 The first sortie of the day returns back to Volk as the second batch of Vipers await clearance to depart on a training mission over the Hardwood ranges.
Peter Greengrass
EOS-1N 70-200mm K25 250/F5.6
Volk CRTC has a variety of display aircraft, two of which are seen here. The F-102A 56-1273 was flown by the 176th Fighter Squadron, WI ANG, at Truax Field, in Madison, from 1966 to 1974. The TF-102 is 56-2353 and was assigned to the 176 FIS.
Kevin Jackson
EOS-1N 35-350mm K64 500/F5.6		 A 'Colony of Bats' prepare to depart from Volk Field. The 174th Fighter Squadron is based at Sioux Gateway MAP and is assigned to the 185th Fighter Wing.
Kevin Jackson
EOS-1N 35-350mm K64 500/F5.6
'Bat 61'awaits its take off slot at Volk. 85-1568 is loaded with four concrete filled 500Ib Mk-82 practice bombs - known as BDU-50s - to be dropped on the Hardwood range. on the wingtips are inert AIM-120C AMRAAMs and next to that on the outer wing hardpoint is a ACMI pod that relays the flight to computer screens at Volk and the range for evaluation and debrief.
Kevin Jackson
EOS-1N 35-350mm Sensia II 500/F5.6
Volk is a popular airfield for practice diversions for numerous units due to its location and well equipped radar/approach facilities. Here, a T-38A of the 394th CTS, 509th BW from Whiteman AFB MO. practice's some 'rollers' enabling the B-2 pilots to remain sharp without wearing out the scarce fleet of Stealth bombers.
 Kevin Jackson
EOS-1N 35-350mm K64 500/F5.6
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