Atlantic Resolve 2015

F-15 Eagle

The F-15 is the winner of the USAF F-X competition. In the late sixties the USAF formulated the specifications for an air superiority fighter. Following the experiences in Vietnam the F-X design had to cope with maneuverable aircraft and with the new generation of Soviet aircraft, the MiG-23 and MiG-25. On December 23, McDonnell was the declared winner with the F-15. The first F-15A made its first flight on July 27, 1972. In addition to the single-seat F-15A the two-seat TF-15A was put into production. The dual made its first flight in July 1973. On January 1, 1977, the two-seater was designated as F -15B.

In November 1974 the first F-15s were delivered to the 58th TFTW at Luke AFB. The first operational unit, the 1st TFW was at Langley AFB. A total of 365 F-15As and F-15Bs were delivered to the USAF.

In 1979 the improved F-15C and F-15D two-seater followed. These variants are equipped with the Production Eagle Package (PEP 2000) package, with 900 lb. additional internal fuel, and they can also be provided with conformal fuel tanks.

The F-15 Multi-stage Improvement Program (MSIP) started in February 1983 and the first production MSIP F-15C followed in 1985. Improvements included an upgraded internal computer, a programmable weapon control system (Programmable Armament Control Set) for improved versions of the AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120A AMRAAM missiles, an expanded Tactical Electronic Warfare System with improved ALR-56C radar warning receiver and the ALQ-135 ECM countermeasures set.

The USAF received a total of 408 F-15Cs and 62 F-15Ds. Some of the F-15A / Bs were also improved with MSIP modifications. Among others, the 32nd FS at Soesterberg AFB in The Netherlands was equipped with these modified aircraft in 1991-1994.

Improved Radar

The latest produced 43 F-15Cs are equipped with the Hughes APG-70 radar. This radar was developed for the F-15E. These aircraft were also referred to as Enhanced Eagles. The radars of the previously delivered F-15s were then modified to the APG-63 (V) 1, including the 43 aircraft with the APG-70 radar received the enhanced APG-63 (V) 1.

Eighteen F-15s from the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, were from 2000 quipped with the APG-63 (V) 2 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. The original

F-15 radar, the APG-63 (V) 0 version, is a classic radar with mechanical moving dish. The AESA has a fixed antenna where the radar beam (beam) is electronically controlled. The AESA is more sensitive due to reduced mechanical noise, constant track updates and enhanced capabilities to track multiple targets simultaneously. The AMRAAM AIM-120 missiles can be fully deployed with the AESA where multiple targets can be attacked simultaneously. The APG-63V (2) is in fact a pilot-version (0 or test series-series). The 3rd Wing is now equipped with the F-22 and the 18 Eagles went to the 1st FW and finally to the 18th Wing. The production version of the radar is the APG-63 (V) 3. This version was delivered from October 2007 and the planning is to equip a total of 178 Eagles with this radar. Also new is the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS).

In the period 2008-2010, nearly 500 USAF jets were taken out of service, including 250 of the 449 F-15s. The majority was put into storage at the 309th AMARG at Davis-Monthan AFB. The remaining 250 Eagles will stay in service until 2020-2030.

It became Imeson again equipped with the P-51D. Received six months later the F-51H Mustang and became  the 159th Fighter Bomber Squadron Augmented (FBSA). Besides  the Mustangs the Florida ANG also had the B-26 (Photo) on strength for target towing and the C-45 and C-47 for transport. In 1954 it would be equipped with the F-86, but the squadron received only four Sabres. The 159th was actually equipped with the F-80C Shooting Star. During the conversion period they had no less than nine types on strength, the F-51D, F-51H, F-80C, F-86A, T-6, T-33, C-45, C-47 and C-54. In July 1955 it became an air defense squadron named the 159th FIS (Fighter Interceptor Squadron). Group status was granted on July 1,1956, as the 125th FG. It received in August 1956 the F-86D, a version of the Sabre radar, a fighter for all weather conditions. From June 1959 followed the MLU version of the D, the F-86L. From January 1, 1957, the squadron took on the Air Defence Command alert task for the area around Jacksonville.

A major step was on July 1,1960, the conversion to the Convair F-102A Delta Dagger, a supersonic fighter for all weather conditions with a then advanced and complex weapon system. On October 24,1968, the Florida ANG moved to newly built facilities at Jacksonville International Airport, and the Delta Daggers were replaced in 1970 by better equipped ex USAFE 32nd FIS ones that had flown a short period with the Maine ANG. The FG became the 125th FIG on October 1,1972. In the fall of 1974 the F-106A / B Delta Dart was the successor of the Dagger, the Florida ANG received thirteen F-106As and two B trainers. When the 194th FIS of the California ANG received their F-4Ds, they moved six singles and a dual in late 1983 to the Florida ANG which came on strength with 22 aircraft. In the period from about 1968 the Air Defence Command was sharply reduced. As a result of that the Air Defense task went to the Tactical Air Command on October 1, 1979, and the ADC was disbanded. The Florida ANG was added to TAC. 

On September 5,1986, the first F-16s arrived and in January 1987 the conversion to the F-16A / B followed. The Florida ANG with their F-16s was the first F-16 unit that accepted the Air Defence Alert task which started on April 1,1987. And in 1989-90 equipped with the Air Defence (ADF) version of the F-16. In the fall of 1990 a stylized (oblique) FL tail code was applied to the Vipers.

On the 15th of March 1992 the designations of the units were changed from 159th and 125th FIS to FIG 159th FS and 125th FG and on August 1, 1995 from Group to Wing.

In 1995-1996 the Georgia ANG received the B-1B. Their F-15s (MSIP?) went to Florida ANG, and the last ex George ANG F-15A arrived on June 27, 2005. In January 1996 the last F-16 went to the AMARG. The paint is still the same as it was applied to the F-15s. In 1995-1996 they had small individual numerical codes on the nose, 01-16 for the 

F-15As and 16-17 for the F-15Bs. The individual rating codes were applied to the Florida ANG aircraft  since 1970. Later received additional F-15As became 18-20. In 2007 the he Florida ANG received the first F-15Cs. The conversion was long and finally in September 2010 the last F-15As departed. One year later than the F-15A of the 123rd FS Oregon ANG, what was the last F-15A according to the USAF. In 2010, the Florida ANG received a total of fourteen other F-15Cs and one F-15D from the disbanded 390th FS. The better-equipped ones replaced the older F-15Cs and the last F-15As. On April 12, 2010, the Florida ANG presented their first with the APG-63 (V) 3 radar-equipped F-15C. On September 23, 2010, it received the last two former 390th FS F-15Cs.

The F-15s from the Florida ANG participated many times in deployments and detachments. Known are:

-April-May 1998 an alert detachment at Keflavik, Iceland;

-May-July 1999 to Incirlik, Turkey for Northern Watch;

-Agile Archer 2000 deployment in April-May 2000 to Laage, Germany, to practice with the based MiG-29s;

-In late 2000 Prince Sultan AB, Saudi Arabia, Southern Watch;

-In September-October 2002 the Florida ANG hosted at NAS Key West, Florida, Agile Archer 2002. Along with 16 US Navy squadrons of F / A-18 and F-5Es they practiced with

 German MiG-29s;

-June 2014 participation during a block of 14 days in Red Flag Alaska.

Transport and support

For transport the Florida ANG had C-45, C-47 and C-54s. Until 1987 a C-131 with the task of transporting the governor.  A few T-33A were on strength until 1988 for training, dropping chaffs and as a target aircraft. In February 1990 the Florida ANG received a C-130H Hercules. Some C-130H were borrowed from the 105th AS Tennessee ANG. Also some time a C-130E was on strength. It is unclear what the role of the Hercules was. One of the C-130s had a dark tail band including JACKSONVILLE. In 1992 a C-26 Merlin followed, later modified and designated as RC-26B for anti-drug operations. The Merlins left and went to the Puerto Rico ANG, and were on detachment.

325th FW Associated

The Florida ANG also provided instructors and personnel to the 325th FW at Tyndall AFB, Flordia. In this context, the Florida ANG became an associate unit and was activated at Tyndall AFB on October 1, 1999, designated as Detachment 1, Southeast Air Defense Sector (SEADS). The 325th Fighter Wing Air National Guard Fighter Associated Unit was officially activated at Tyndall Air Force Base on October 1,1999. The unit was officially designated by May 1, 2007 as Detachment 1, Florida Air National Guard Headquarters. In 2010, the 325th F-15 training was terminated and the detachment of the Florida ANG was lifted.

It received federal approval on August 30, 1946 as the 123rd Fighter Squadron (SE) at Portland Municipal Airport equipped with the P-51D Mustang. It was mobilized on March 1, 1951, most of the staff was spread across the Western Air Defense Force. One part went to Chicago O'Hare and was temporarily part of the 142nd Fighter Wing equipped with the F-84C Thunderjet. On December 1,1952, the 123rd came again under the command of the governor of the state of Oregon and was first again equipped with the P-51D. In the summer of 1953 the 123th switched to the F-86A Sabre. This was followed by:

• Lockheed F-94B from October 1955;

• Northrop Scorpions, the F-89D, as of June 1957, then the F-89H in November 1957 and, finally, the F-89J in September 1960;

• Convair F-102A from January 1966;

• McDonnell F-101B and F-101F Voodoo, the first delivered in March 1971 (F was the twin stick trainer version);

• McDonnell F-4C in 1981, with former 170th TFS Illinois ANG aircraft. Arrived in SEA camouflage, then Air Defense gray with full color Redhawk. Finally, Hill Gray (F-16 scheme) with low viz markings.

• It received the first F-15 on May 24, 1989. The FY76 F-15A/Bs were mainly from the disbanded 318th FIS. The conversion was finished/completed on June 30, 1990.

• In 1994-1995 these planes were replaced by Multistage Improvement Program (MSIP) F-15A / Bs from the Louisiana and Missouri ANG.

• On May 5, 2007, the 123rd received the first two F-15Cs. The Oregon ANG said goodbye, according to USAF news sites, as the last USAF to the F-15A on September 13 2009, the last aircraft the 77-098 went to AMARG. However, this is not right, it was 'only' the last Oregon ANG F-15A. The real last USAF F-15As were from the Florida ANG and were phased out in September 2010 and put into storage at the AMARG.