HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- An F-16 Fighting Falcon bearing the “367FS” tail flash took to the skies for the first time on April 4, 2025, marking a historic milestone for the 367th Fighter Squadron and strengthening the Total Force partnership at Homestead ARB
Lt. Col. Dysart Cleeton, commander of the 367th FS, piloted the aircraft during its inaugural flight after more than a year and a half of structural repairs and repainting at a maintenance depot.
“It’s an honor to fly the flagship after its 14 months at the depot,” Cleeton said. “It takes a lot of airmen with many skills to get a Viper in the air. When it happens, especially with our patch on it, it makes us all proud.”
The new tail flash represents a significant moment for the 367th FS, an active-duty associate unit embedded with the 93rd Fighter Squadron and the 482d Maintenance Group. While the aircraft now carries the squadron’s unique designation, it continues to display the “FM” tail code, short for Florida Makos and the iconic Mako shark, representing its enduring connection to Homestead ARB.
“To our knowledge, this is the first jet to carry the 367 FS tail flash,” Cleeton said. “It is a symbol of the TFI relationship the 367 FS has with the 482 FW.”
The 367th FS, assigned geographically to Homestead ARB and functionally aligned under the 495th Fighter Group at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, comprises 177 active-duty Airmen across more than 23 Air Force Specialty Codes. Squadron members are fully integrated into the 482d Fighter Wing’s operations, with roles ranging from crew chiefs and ammunition specialists to pilots, aviation resource managers, and medical personnel.
Before takeoff, Airmen from the 367th and 482d gathered along the flightline to watch the aircraft taxi from the ramp, marking the start of its next chapter. Among them were active-duty members and traditional reservists—two different paths of service, united by a single mission.
Senior Airman Brandon Azocar, a 482d Maintenance Squadron crew chief and traditional reservist greeted Cleeton at the jet and conducted the launch to ensure the aircraft was ready for flight. Azocar’s role was a visible reminder of the hundreds of hours of maintenance and preparation to make each sortie possible.
“Launching the F-16 with the new 367FS tail flash was a proud moment,” Azocar said. “It felt like being part of history. That’s a jet I helped get mission ready, and seeing it take off representing the squadron in a new way meant a lot to me.”
Outside of uniform, Azocar is a full-time student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics. He is currently completing commercial multi-engine flight training and working toward becoming a certified flight instructor.
Balancing his civilian aviation career with military service requires discipline and focus, but Azocar sees both worlds as connected. His experience as a pilot deepens his appreciation for the maintenance side of flying.
“My civilian flying experience definitely helps as a crew chief and vice versa,” Azocar said. “As a pilot, I understand what pilots are looking for in an aircraft and how they think in the cockpit, which helps me anticipate needs and communicate better on the line. On the flip side, being a crew chief has made me a better pilot. Both roles sharpen each other.”
Total Force partnerships like the one at Homestead ARB are critical to the Air Force’s ability to maintain combat-ready airpower. Cleeton’s ability to launch the newly marked jet depended on the efforts of crew chiefs, maintenance specialists, inspectors, and many other Airmen working behind the scenes to ensure mission readiness.
“What makes the Total Force team at Homestead successful is the trust and respect across the board,” Azocar said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re active duty or reserve; everyone is treated like a professional, and everyone contributes. That cohesion is what makes the mission happen smoothly.”
Cleeton flew tactical intercepts beyond visual range during the inaugural flight, training against simulated advanced threats using the F-16’s APG-83 radar system.
Although the 367 FS tail flash now appears on the ramp, Cleeton emphasized that the squadron’s operational mission remains unchanged.
“The tail flash simply embodies the pride and esprit de corps our Airmen have in seeing the patch on their arms also on a jet,” he said. “It takes one team working together to deliver combat airpower.”
Following Air Force tradition, no plans exist for additional F-16s at Homestead to receive the 367 FS marking. Only one aircraft will serve as the squadron’s flagship.
At Homestead ARB, Airmen from different walks of life come together daily to ensure that every mission—every launch—happens with precision, professionalism, and pride.