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Introduction

It seems to be a practice, the participation of ANG F-15s in Frisian Flag. For the third time, Air National Guard F-15 Eagles participated in Frisian Flag. Even now, the Eagles are in Europe for a period of six months as part of a Theater Support Package under Operation Atlantic Resolve. The planes arrived in two groups of six on 24 and 25 March respectively. The first group was scheduled for March 21, but due to bad weather in the United States, a 24-hour delay took place. On the 22nd, the first six left, but were diverted to Bangor in Maine. Four of them, added by two from their home base, crossed on March 24 and arrived at Leeuwarden AB respectively at around 17 hours (F-15C 81-0041/JZ and 85-0102/JZ 159th FW, plus F-15C 86-0162 and F-15D 80-0058 both from the Florida ANG) and at 17:30 hours F-15C 81-0039/JZ and 86-0148/JZ followed. The second group of six arrived on Saturday, March 25th, arriving just before 19 hours, with the serials 85-0096, 86-0155 and 86-0161 from the Florida ANG and 83-0012, 83-0036 and 83-0041 all with JZ tail code. The deployment consisted of six Louisiana ANG and six Florida ANG F-15s, four of the Florida ones were "old friends" who were already at Leeuwarden AB in 2015.

After the Frisian Flag, the Eagles stayed for more than two weeks at Leeuwarden, practicing with Dutch, Danish and British fighters, and possibly with the USAF F-22/F-35s temporarily based at RAF Lakenheath in England. On April 26, the Eagles left for Graf Ignatievo in Bulgaria. It is planned that the F-15s will then go to Denmark and finally to Romania. The first three months of deployment will be manned by the 122nd EFS (Expeditionary Fighter Squadron), Louisiana ANG, added by staff from other units, including USAFE staff. After that the Florida ANG is in turn.

With the Louisiana ANG, now all five operational ANG squadrons visited Leeuwarden. Hopefully next year the 114th FS Oregon ANG, the training squadron. This squadron has been in Finland once.

By 2015, attention was clearly given to the Florida ANG in the subpage Atlantic Resolve 2015, with now fully attention to the Louisiana ANG.

AT-6 Texan Advanced Trainer - same as BC-1A with minor changes, powered by a 600hp R-1340-47 and armed with forward-firing 0.3in machine gun, nine original started as BC-1As and 85 built.

Louisiana ANG

159th Fighter Wing, 122nd Fighter Squadron, Naval Air Station - Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans.

Naval Air Station JRB New Orleans is the home for ANG, AFRC, USN and USMC reservists (Hence the name of the Joint Reserve Base).

The Louisiana Air National Guard finds its origin in the creation of the 122nd Observation Squadron on March 2, 1941. This is the oldest unit of the Louisiana Air National Guard. It was one of the 29 National Guard Observation Squadrons of the United States Army National Guard, founded at the time of the Second World War. Homebase was New Orleans Municipal Airport, the current Lakefront Airport. On October 1, 1941, the 122nd Observation Squadron was placed under federal authority and was mobilized. This as part of the construction of the Army Air Forces. The 122nd moved to Esler Field in Alexandria, LA. And was equipped with a mix of 0-38s, 0-46s, 0-47s, 0-49s and BC-1As.

World War II

When the United States participated in World War II, the 122nd returned to New Orleans in December 1941, the task was to carry out anti-submarine patrols across the Gulf of Mexico. In February 1942, the squadron was equipped with the A-20 Havoc bombers and was stationed in England as part of the Eighth Air Force and then went to North Africa for the Operation Torch, the invasion force, in November 1942, thereby forming part of the Twelfth Air Force. The 122nd went to Fedala, French Morocco and participated in the conquest of Casablanca. The squadron was part of the 68th Reconnaissance Group. A few months later, the A-20s were replaced by a mix of P-38 Lightning, P-39 Cobras and P-40 Warhawks. The unit was now part of the North African Fighter Training Command. In the summer of 1943, the unit moved to Bertaux, Algeria, where French and American pilots were trained. The 122nd was assigned to HQ Fifteenth Air Force in May 1944, and became the 885th Bombardment Squadron (heavy). Equiped with specially equipped B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators, the unit provided partisans and participated in night-time special operations missions, including occupied France, Italy, Yugoslavia and other parts of occupied Europe in support of resistance such as dropping secret agents in the field by parachute. The squadron was disbanded in Italy in October 1945.

Louisiana Air Nation Guard

The 885th Bombardment Squadron was re-designated as the 122nd Bombardment Squadron (Light) and assigned to the Louisiana Air National Guard on May 24, 1946. Homebase was New Orleans Lakefront Airport, Louisiana and received Federal Recognition on December 5, 1946 by the National Guard Bureau. The 122nd Bombardment Squadron took over the 'history, honors and colors' of the 885th Bombardment Squadron and its predecessors. The squadron was equipped with the B-26 Invader and became part of the Tenth Air Force, Continental Air Command. The 122nd was equipped with 25 aircraft, Douglas B-26C Invaders and some B-26Bs. Almost all of the planes were newly delivered from the Douglas factory in Tulsa, Oklahoma, because they did not participate in the war. In the years after the war, the Air National Guard had more away from a local flying club. A pilot usually came in, took a aircraft and went into the air. The units had regular exercises. In gunnery and bombing competitions they often had better scores than the active USAF units. Parts were no problem and the maintenance staff consisted of veterans with a lot of experience. The employability was usually high and the planes were often better maintained than those of the USAF. Something that often goes on.

F-102A 56-1299 Louisiana ANG. Right after arrival at MASDC., Davis-Monthan AFB, 19 March 1971. [Collection Marinus Dirk Tabak].

Korean War Federalization

After the outbreak of the Korean war on June 26, 1950, most ANG units were placed under federal authority and mobilized. Similarly, the Louisiana ANG on April 1, 1951. Most planes and pilots were already leaving for active units in Korea and Japan. The 122nd was based on Langley AFB as part of the 4400th Combat Crew Training Group, a temporary group founded for the training of B-26 pilots and was part of the Ninth Air Force, Tactical Air Command. On November 1, 1952, the 4400th was disbanded. The 122nd was demobilized on December 31, 1952. As of January 1, 1953, it became again under control of the state of Louisiana. After the end of the Korean war, the 122nd received the B-26. The 122nd was now part of the Texas ANG 136th Fighter-Bomber Wing, the Wing was operational under the Tactical Air Command.

Air Defense mission

North American F-86 Sabre

In 1957, the 136th Fighter-Bomber Wing was transferred from the TAC to the Air Defense Command and was re-designated as an Air Defense Wing. The B-26s went into storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. The 122nd was re-designated as a Fighter Interceptor Squadron on June 1, 1957. The mission became air defense of the state of Louisiana. The 122nd was equipped with the old-age Lockheed F-80C-11 (modified F-80A to F-80C standard) Shooting Stars as an interim type and received the North American F-86D Sabre in the fall of 1957 and finally the  F-86L Sabre at the end of 1957. The F-86L is a mid-life update of the F-86D with a stronger engine and improved electronics. 

The F-86D/L had a radar and was an all-weather interceptor. With the F-86L, the squadron was selected by the Air Defense Command to alert 24/7 at the end of the runway with armed Sabres (QRA). With the arrival of the Sabre, the staff was expanded. The National Guard Bureau established the 159th Fighter Interceptor Group on April 1, 1958, the 122nd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron now belonging to this Group. In addition, supporting squadrons were part of the Group, the 159th Headquarters, 159th Material Squadron (Maintenance), 159th Combat Support Squadron, and the 159th USAF Dispensary.

On December 5, 1957, the units of New Orleans Airport moved to the current location, then NAS New Orleans. The Sabres were fitted with the text LA ANG.

F-86D 52-3747 Louisiana Air National Guard in flight. Photo date 30 January 1958.

F-102A 56-1134 ex-Louisiana ANG. One of the 50 Deuces that were spotted in silver during  great maintenance in approximately 1969-1972. Here on the MASDC line where the F-102s were made ready to fly again. They were then converted into a PQM102 drone. 

Convair F-102 Delta Dagger

In July 1960 the conversion was followed to the F-102. In the period 1960 to about 1965 the text LA. AIR GUARD was prominent on the hull and with three red(?), blue and green tail-tips with in between two white ties. Later the text disappeared on the hull and the upper half of the brake valves was added with the flight color.


Tactical Air Command

North American F-100 Super Sabre

On December 6, 1970, the 159th was transferred from the Aerospace Defense Command to the Tactical Air Command. With the conversion to the F-100, the ADC 24-hour alert status was ended on November 30, 1970. The ADC was set aside because the probability of a Soviet attack with manned bombers on the USA became small. The units were now equipped with the F-100D/F Super Sabers, the 159th Tactical Fighter Group and the 122nd Tactical Fighter Squadron. In 1970, the F-100 was still considered as a first-line type, most of the Super Sabers still serving in South Vietnam. The 122nd F-100s came from USAFE 20th Tactical Fighter Wing, which was equipped with the General Dynamics F-111E.

In 1974 the LA ANG came under the command of the 116th TFW (Georgia ANG). In 1977, the squadron received the better equipped F-100s from Iowa ANG, the replaced ones went to the Boneyard on Davis Monthan. Idem for the last version that underwent the same fate in spring 1979.

Painting

Red, blue and green tail-tips, underneath with a white line. LOUISIANA in the middle on the tail above the ANG badge. This for the three flights of the 122nd. In 1976-1977, the text USA in red-white-blue because of its 200th anniversary in 1976. The F-100s serial presentation was in PACAF style, for example 63-385 (56-3385) this would be in TAC style than 56-385.

F-100D 56-3082 Louisiana ANG ex-Iowa ANG in 1977. Most LA ANG Huns had the PACAF style serial, here 63-082 (56-3082) in stead of AF-56. [November 1978, collection Marinus Dirk Tabak].

F-100F 56-3893 Louisiana ANG. A 20th TFW USAFE veteran. [Collection Marinus Dirk Tabak].

McDonnell F-4C Phantom II

On April 1, 1979, the 122nd was equipped with the F-4C Phantom II. The Ghosts were from the USAFE 401st TFW 'TJ' on Torrejon in Spain, the 35th TFW 'GA' on George AFB and the 58th TTW 'LA' (Tactical Training Wing) at Luke AFB. In 1979, the Aerospace Defense Command was disbanded, the Tactical Air Command took over the Continental US Air Defense Mission from the ADC. The LA ANG was assigned to the Air Defense, Tactical Air Command (ADTAC), a part of TAC. Under ADTAC, the 122nd started flying Air Defense missions with the F-4C. It was on alert from 1 October 1981 24 hours a day. The squadron also had the Tactical Fighter task. In 1985, the F-4C was replaced by the F-15, the Phantoms were divided over other ANG squadrons, one F-4C remained on New Orleans as a monument. In January 1983, the LA ANG of the 116th TFW (Georgia ANG) went to the 113rd TFW (D.C. ANG).

Painting

LOUISIANA on the tail, a red, blue and green lower part of the nose wheel door, this for the three 122nd flights. In 1984 there were some ghosts with a yellow nose wheel door. In FY80 (from October 1, 1980) the white markings had to be changed to black. At LA ANG this was slow, in September 1980 the white-black ratio was still around 50-50. At the same time, the camouflage was changed, during heavy maintenance the planes were sprayed in wrap-around camouflage, or the light gray bottom was also brown and green. In 1982, the nickname Coonass Militia was placed in white on the tail. This name was not neat and was deleted again at the end of 1983 or early 1984. To participate in Red Flag in early 1983, at least nine Phantoms were sprayed in light gray and gray camouflage with Coonass Militia in white or black on the tail. The standard USAF camouflage became the European One from the middle of 1983, bringing the light brown to dark gray.

F-4C 63-7471 122nd TFS Louisiana ANG, Coonass Militia. [NAS New Orleans, October 1982, collection Marinus Dirk Tabak].

F-4C 64-0823 122nd TFS Louisiana ANG, in USAFE SEA camouflage style, ex-401 TFW. [NAS Orleans, September 1980, collection Marinus Dirk Tabak].

F-4C 64-0852 122nd TFS Louisiana ANG in two tone gray for a Red Flag in 1983. Coonass Militia on the  tail  has been painted over.  [October 1984, collection Marinus Dirk Tabak].

McDonnell-Douglas F-15 Eagle

In 1985-1986, the 18 F-4Cs were replaced by 24 F-15A/B Eagles. The 122nd was the first ANG squadron equipped with the F-15, they were the oldest USAF Eagles, FY73-74 Eagles from the 405th TTW on Luke AFB. The first delivered F-15 was    F-15B 73-0109, received in June 1985, the official welcome ceremony took place on June 29, 1985. Initially, a few F-15s were provided for training of the maintenance staff. The official conversion began in October. With the F-15, the 122nd held the Air Defense mission under the TAC. In 1991, most squadron F-15s were delivered to Israel and replaced by ex-49th TFW 'HO' FY77 F-15A/B.

The Eagles were upgraded between 1994 and 1997 within the framework of the Multistage Improvement Program (MSIP), a F-15A/B MLU. With the MSIP, the APG-63 radar was replaced by the better APG-70 radar installed in late production F-15C/D, and they also received enhanced avionics. The F-15A/B analog computers were replaced by digital computers. The weapon panel was improved and they received displays similar to those of the F-15E. The A models that were passed by the MSIP were not fitted with the compliant fuel tanks of the C.

F-15B 73-0109 Louisiana ANG. This was the first F-15A for the LA ANG at NAS New Orelans in June 1985. This one moved to Israel in 1991 and is there now 109. [NAS New Orleans, 1986, collection Marinus Dirk Tabak].

F-15A 73-0107 Louisiana ANG, NAS New Orleans. [1986, collection Marinus Dirk Tabak].

The designations of the units were changed on March 15, 1992 from 122nd FIS and 159th FIG to 122th FS and 159th FG. On June 1, 1992, the Air Combat Command replaced the TAC as gaining command.

On October 11, 1995, the status of the 159th went from Group to Wing. The 122nd now resulted under the 159th Operations Group, which in his turn forms part of the 159th Fighter Wing.


In mid-1996, because of cuts and the changed world situation, the USAF began experimenting with Air Expeditionary organizations. The Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) concept was born, the intention is to assemble combined units consisting of a mix of Active, Reserve and Air National Guard elements. This comes in place of the approach to send complete units under the heading 'Provisional', as in the first Gulf War in 1991.

At the end of the nineties, the 122nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron was activated several times and went to Aviano Air Base, Italy, for combat missions over the former Yugoslavia during the Kosovo war as part of Operation Allied Force. Also Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, was visited for Combat Air Patrol missions across Iraq as part of Operation Northern Watch. 

F-15C 85-0102 'EG' 33rdFW Gulf Spirit, 33 TFW, was the 33rd Commander in 1990-1991. Stayed with the 33rd  to at least 2006. After that moved to the 1st TFW, 71st TFS 'FF' 2007-2009 and the LA ANG.  [Around 1991, collection Marinus Dirk Tabak]. 

There was also a deployment to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, for CAP missions across southern Iraq as part of Operation Southern Watch. The 159th Fighter Wing was alerted in 1999 to NAS Keflavik, Iceland.

In response to the 9/11 attacks in 2001, the 122nd Fighter Squadron Combat Air Patrols flew over major US cities as part of Operation Noble Eagle (ONE). In 2002, the number of ONE missions was reduced.

F-15A Louisiana Air National Guard, '159 CAM', completely low-viz. [NAS New Orleans, October 1993].

F-15A 77-0134 Louisiana ANG. In the markings period 1992-1995.

F-15C 85-0102 'EG' 33rdFW Gulf-Spirit, 33 TFW, was the 33rd Commander in 1990-1991. Stayed with the 33rd until at least 2006. After that to the 1st TFW, 71st TFS 2007-2009, and the LA ANG. [Around 1991, collection Marinus Dirk Tabak].

In 2006, the F-15A/Bs were slowly phased out and the 122nd received the better-equipped F-15C Eagle. On July 24, 2006, the first two arrived in a total of 18 F-15C/Ds. Due to structural problems a large number of F-15C/Ds had to be phased out. Therefore the conversion took a long time, at last in February 2009 the final A went to the boneyard. In 2010, the 122nd received a number of ex-1st FW, 71st FS FF Langley and ex-57th Wing WA F-15s equipped with the APG-63(V)3 radar. As a result, about eleven FY78-79 F-15Cs and a FY80 F-15D left for other units and to AMARC.

As part of the World War on Terrorism, the 122d EFS was deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan, Operation New Horizons in Central and South America and Operation New Dawn in Afghanistan.

In October 2012, the 122nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron ended a deployment to Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, as part of the 380th Expeditionary Operations Group. The 122nd EFS fleet flew missions to support the Joint Air Defense of the Persian Gulf and Operation Enduring Freedom. It flew integrated missions with F-22 Raptors and F-15E Strike Eagles.

Painting

Red, blue and green tail-tips, white bordered with a lily on the fin-tip and beneath it the text Louisiana. On both sides of the nose in a stylized eagle in flight color with the names of the pilot and crew chief. In the F-15 period there were initially four flights. Later in 1990 three, the yellow color disappeared.

On the FY77 planes only Louisiana came in black on the tail. In 1995, the JZ tail code was applied, the code is an abbreviation of Jazz, a reference to New Orleans's jazz cradle and the Jazz call sign of the unit. Plus a beautiful multi color purple-gold-green fin-tip: the carnival colors of the Mardi Grass, with four (French) lilies in the golden part of the fin-tip. The texts of Louisiana above and Bayou Militia beneath it.

Nickname

The 159th Fighter Wing, has the nickname 'Bayou Militia'. It was previously the 'Cajun Militia', and the 'Coonass Militia'. The name 'Coonass Militia' was changed to 'Cajun Militia' in 1992 because of concerns about the political correctness of the name. In the late 1990s, 'Cajun Militia' was changed to the current 'Bayou Militia.'

F-15C 85-0102 on his way to the flight-line "North" at Leeuwarden AB.  [Photo Gerke A. Hofstra].

Bet in photo: the kill-markings as they were on Leeuwarden [Reint Jonker]. 

Serials

Under reservation, the following F15s  are on strength:

F-15C

78-0496 ex-ZZ, 78-0509 ex-65th AGRS WA, 78-0510 '159TH FW' ex-ZZ, as commander replaced by 85-0102, 78-0520 ex-65th AGRS, 78-0536 ex-ZZ , 78-0539 ex-ZZ, 80-0002 ex-WA, 80-0029 ex-FF, 81-0036 ex-FF, 81-0039 ex-ZZ, 81-0041 '159MXG', ex-FF, 82-0009 ex-WA, 82-0010 ex-ZZ, 82-0017 ex-ZZ, 82-0019 ex-ZZ, 82-0037 ex-FF, 83-0012 ex-WA, 83-0036 ex-ZZ, 83-0041 ex-WA, 84-0012 ex-FF, 84-0022 ex-FF, 85-0102 '159TH FW' ex-FF.

F-15D

82-0047 '159MXG', ex-FF, 83-0048 ex-FF.

FF = 1st FW (these are the Eagles with AESA radar in 2010 from the 71st FS disbanded on September 30th, 2010).  EG = 33rd FW.  WA = 57th Wing. ZZ = 18th Wing.

With the commanding aircraft 85-0102, three Iraqi aircraft were shot down in the first Gulf War, a MiG-23 on January 29, 1991 and two Su-20/22s on February 7, 1991, all with an AIM-7 Sparrow. This F-15 was then the 33rd TFW EG Commander.

Now no more on strength:

F-15C

78-0503 ex-ZZ to 65th AGRS, 78-0507 ex-ZZ to AMARG, 78-0515 ex-ZZ to 65th AGRS, 78-0549 ex-EG to AMARG, 78-0550 ex-EG to AMARG, 79-0035 ex-EG and 79-0036 ex-EC to AMARG, 79-0037 ex-EC to AMARG, 79-0056 ex-EG to AMARG, 79-0076 ex-EC still on strength?, 79-0081 ex-EG to 114th FS and 81-0022 to 196th FS California ANG.

F-15D

80-054 ex-EG to 65th AGRS WA.

C-130H 79-0480 has flown with the Louisiana ANG for almost eleven years. [Collection Gerke A. Hofstra].

Transport and support

The 122nd had some T-33As up to about 1970, strengthening training, chaffing and serving as a target aircraft. The T-birds were (polished) white metal or gray. For transport there was a C-131, which was later replaced by a Hercules, since 1989 a C-130H 79-0480. Since 1995, this one had the JZ tail code, it went to the Nevada ANG in 2000 and was  replaced by C-130E 62-1859, ex-Nevada ANG. This Hercules moved soon to the 62nd AS and was replaced in 2001 by WC-130H 65-0967. This Herc had the 122nd fin-tip in October 2009, without lilies but with the text Bayou Militia.

SOURCES

Http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_F-15_Eagle, and the LA ANG.

Participated in Frisian Flag 2015, 2016 and 2017 

Leeuwarden Air Base, The Netherlands

2015

2015/2017

2016

2016

2017

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