CONR achieves 55,000th Noble Eagle sortie

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The quick response of two Continental U.S. NORAD Region fighter jets that intercepted a small airplane in Florida in late December resulted in a new and impressive record for CONR―its 55,000th successfully completed Operation Noble Eagle sortie.

Air National Guard pilots with the 125th Fighter Wing, Detachment 1, at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., flew two F-15 Eagles to reach the milestone sortie.

The Noble Eagle mission began Sept. 14, 2001 in response to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93 that crashed in Shanksville, Pa. The operation is designed to protect North America from an airborne attack.

Before 9/11, CONR was charged with keeping an eye on the nation's borders, looking outward for threats from abroad in the form of long-range missiles or Soviet bombers.

Now, with the assistance of its Canadian partners, every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and multiple federal agencies, CONR watches the nation's skies for a threat from within.

Maj. Gen. Garry Dean, CONR commander, said the recent sortie in Florida, along with tens of thousands of previous flights throughout the country, is an impressive record for all those involved in the CONR mission.

"We have achieved an astounding 55,000 accident-free, Operation Noble Eagle sorties," he said. "Our efforts since 9/11 have ensured the continued sovereignty of our skies and have protected America and her most valuable treasures, and I am extremely proud of the work these dedicated men and women have accomplished."

Through the leadership of the Eastern and Western Air Defense Sectors, the air sovereignty alert wings throughout the United States are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, sitting constant alert in the event they are called upon to react to a potential threat.

Col. John Bartholf, Eastern Air Defense Sector commander, commented on the historic milestone. "In the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, and for many months following that attack, our nation kept fighters in the air 24 hours a day non-stop," he said. "Nearly nine years later, an unparalleled 55,000 sorties have been flown in support of Operation Noble Eagle. It continues to be a 'no-fail mission' that protects our most precious resource―the citizens of this great nation."

CONR's deputy commander, Canadian Brig. Gen. Andre Viens, said that since 9/11, at least 24 terrorist attacks have been thwarted by the collective efforts of all agencies operating under the auspices of homeland defense and security. But he's cautious not to become overconfident.

"Make no mistake -- we will continue to be called upon in the future," said General Viens. "Consequently, we must remain steady, tirelessly vigilant, and be on close watch regardless of the time of day or night to deter, prevent and, if necessary, defeat hostile air attacks on North America."

In addition to flying the 55,000th sortie, CONR fighters have responded to more than 2,350 possible air threats in the United States, and also fly in support of special security events such as the Super Bowl, presidential inaugurations, state funerals, United Nations General Assemblies and the State of the Union Address.

104th FW to Standup for Alert Duty

Ken on the Milcom newsgroup reported the following today:

"According to the 104th Fighter Wing's monthly publication Airscoop (October 2009), the unit will stand up an alert force by February 15, 2010 to support Operation Noble Eagle and Homeland Defense.

Prior issues of the Airscoop can be found at the unit's website: http://www.104fw.ang.af.mil/

Eglin Airmen test readiness during weeklong exercise

by Chrissy Cuttita, 33rd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

A 58th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief marshals an F-15 Eagle ready to takeoff for a simulated Operation Noble Eagle tasking during a 33rd Fighter Wing exercise Dec. 17 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chrissy Cuttita)

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- Airmen of the 33rd Fighter Wing here tested their ability to respond anytime and anywhere in support of the nation's defense during an Operation Noble Eagle exercise in mid-December.

Wing planners and exercise evaluation team members created plans and scenarios to provide an accurate replication of real-world deployment orders to the wing from higher headquarters.

Base members had to scramble F-15 Eagles as quickly as possible in an environment with increased security measures to give the exercise an authentic feeling.

"F-15s will be on alert, ready to scramble and launch against air threats to a simulated no-fly zone that is established in support of Homeland Defense," said Lt. Col. David McClanahan, the 33rd FW chief of plans and programs whose office plans exercises and evaluates the wing's performance. "We relate our employment exercises to anticipated taskings. The F-15 is an air superiority asset for America, so we're practicing homeland-defense missions."

"Once the order is received, we configure the aircraft with fuel and munitions required for the mission and conduct preflight inspections," said Senior Master Sgt. Jay Mason, the 58th Aircraft maintenance unit superintendent. "Once all required actions are complete, the aircraft is considered 'on-status' for any tasking. We are prepared to fill any and all required aircraft taskings."

During a real Operation Noble Eagle mission, Eglin AFB aircrews could shadow, intercept, escort, and provide aid or, if necessary, use force to protect North America. To intercept, pilots need to see and identify the aircraft.

For the exercise, a Civil Air Patrol-owned Cessna 206 and Cessna 337 flew into a simulated "no-fly" zone and Eglin AFB F-15 pilots had to intercept the low-flying aircraft.

"We want to give them as much realism as possible," said Capt. Grant Meadows, the director of marketing and public relations for Florida's CAP wing.

Weapons loaders also were tested as they had jets prepared to "fire" by going through all of the motions hands-on as if they were loading live missiles.

"The process of preparing and launching an alert sortie is a little different than normal and must be done in a very short amount of time," said Maj. Jonathan Bland, the 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander. "The exercise gives our maintainers a chance to become more comfortable with that process and improve our speed so that we will be in top shape when called for a real mission."

Eglin AFB members also participated in creating the exercise environment with support from officials from security forces, airfield support and air traffic control.

"Maintaining air superiority takes more than pilots in airplanes, it takes lots of maintenance personnel, planners, communications specialists, and command/control personnel," Colonel McClanahan said. "We have to practice working together so it's flawless when we're tasked to do the real thing. Practice keeps our intricate air defense machine functioning seamlessly."

192nd first Air Guard unit to fly F-22 for Operation Noble Eagle

by David Hopper, Air Combat Command Public Affairs



The Virginia Air National Guard's 192nd Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Va., is the first Air Guard unit to fly the F-22 Raptor, like those shown here flying over New Mexico, in support of Operation Noble Eagle. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Russell Scalf)

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- The Virginia Air National Guard's 192nd Fighter Wing here is the first Air Guard unit to fly the F-22 Raptor in support of Operation Noble Eagle.

Operation Noble Eagle was established by President George W. Bush to protect the American homeland following the terrorist attacks in September 2001.

Aircrews from the wing's 149th Fighter Squadron fly the Raptor.

"The mission for the protection of the homeland has not changed for us since the inception of Operation Noble Eagle," said Lt. Col. James Cox, 149th FS commander. The capability of the 149th to carry out the mission has been greatly increased because of the abilities of the F-22.

The Raptor performs both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions providing a diverse aerial combat capability for operational concepts. One concept the F-22 has become involved with here is Total Force Integration. An example of TFI is the combination of two force components -- active duty and Air Guard in this case -- sharing the responsibility of one mission -- Operation Noble Eagle.

Under the TFI construct, the active duty 1st FW and the 192nd FW provide combat forces in a more cost-effective manner to support the defense of the nation, said Lt. Col. David Nardi, 149th Fighter Squadron operations officer. This is the first time the Air Guard has operated with a front-line fighter soon after it reached full operational capability.

The 1st FW and 192nd FW combined in October 2007 under TFI. That move made the 192nd the first Air Guard unit to operate the F-22.

"The integration of the two wings provides the combat capabilities we need to execute the Operation Noble Eagle mission," said Colonel Nardi. The TFI construct adds a tremendous amount of ability from all critical areas required in protecting the nation and fulfilling the Air Force mission around the world.

The F-22 flew its first active-duty flight in support of Operation Noble Eagle in January 2007. The 1st FW's 27th FS was the first unit to conduct an operational flight with live ordnance loaded in the Raptor.

"We do the same thing for Operation Noble Eagle as we would do in theater, in support of the troops," said Colonel Cox. "The F-22 has performed brilliantly and we have seen our best response times to date."