Scramble, scramble, scramble

 An F-15C Eagle turns onto a taxiway before take off at Keflavik International Airport, Iceland, in support of the NATO air defense mission here, Nov. 6, 2013. The 48th Air Expeditionary Group has been maintaining the NATO air surveillance and policing mission here since Oct. 28, 2013. The group, which is made up of U.S. Air Force and other North Atlantic Treaty Organization personnel, is a specialized team prepared to ensure Iceland's air sovereignty. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler/Released)

Answering the call: McConnell refuels ANG F-15s

An F-15 Eagle from the 142nd Fighter Wing, Oregon Air National Guard, Portland, Ore., flies alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., July 23, 2013. The F-15 was one of eight to receive fuel from three McConnell tankers during the training mission over northeast Kansas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Laura L. Valentine)

An F-15 Eagle from the 142nd Fighter Wing, Oregon Air National Guard, Portland, Ore., receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., while a second F-15 moves to the left wing of the Stratotanker July 23, 2013. Three Stratotankers refueled eight F-15s during the training mission over northeast Kansas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Laura L. Valentine)

US Air Force F-15E Incident in Libya; Crew Safe

From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (NNS) -- Two crew members ejected from their U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle when the aircraft experienced equipment malfunction over Libya, March 21, at approximately 10:30 p.m. CET.

Both crew members ejected and are safe. The aircraft, based out of Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, was flying out of Aviano Air Base in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn at the time of the incident.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

The identities will be released after the next of kin have been notified.

Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn is the U.S. Africa Command task force established to provide operational and tactical command and control of U.S. military forces supporting the international response to the unrest in Libya and enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973. UNSCR 1973 authorizes all necessary measures to protect civilians in Libya under threat of attack by Gaddafi regime forces.

F-15E flies with new radar system

Steve Coleman completes last-minute pre-flight checks underneath an F-15E Strike Eagle Jan. 18, 2011, on the flightline at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. This F-15E is equipped with the new APG-82(V)1 radar, which replaces the 24-year-old APG-70 radar system. Mr. Coleman is an F-15E crew chief. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

by Samuel King Jr., Eglin Air Force Base Public Affairs

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- Officials took a step forward in the F-15E Strike Eagle's continuous technological evolution as the Air Force's most versatile combat aircraft here Jan. 18.

Officials from the 46th Test Wing launched the fourth generation fighter for the first time with a new and improved radar system, the APG-82(V)1.

The APG-82 uses active electronically scanned array radar technology composed of numerous small solid-state transmit and receive modules. The standard radar, APG-70, is a mechanically scanned array housed in the nose of the aircraft. Although the current F-15E radar has undergone numerous updates and upgrades, it is still the same system the aircraft had on its maiden flight more than 24 years ago.

"We've been able to get more out of it, but at this point it's pretty much maxed out," said 1st Lt. Nathaniel Meier, a radar modernization project manager with the Operational Flight Program Combined Test Force.

The new radar lacks the motors and hydraulics of the old system and includes a new avionics and cooling system.

Aircraft radar continuously sends out and receives energy to identify objects or targets around it.

Due to its unique capabilities, the F-15E radar operates as air-to-air and air-to-ground radar, officials said.

"One AESA-equipped F-15E can detect and track multiple targets simultaneously and gain the same battle picture and prosecute the same number of attacks that currently require several mechanically scanned radar assets," said Brad Jones, the Boeing director for U.S. Air Force development programs. "Adding AESA multiplies the effectiveness of the F-15E."

The advantage AESA radar has over an MSA is its near-instantaneous ability to redirect its focus from air-to-air to air-to-ground mode, officials said.

By no longer having to wait for the array to physically move to a new area of interest, the aircrew receives better situational awareness in less time, Lieutenant Meier said.

The four-year-old project borrowed from existing technology to create the new system. The array system was taken from F-15C Eagle models and the avionics were borrowed from F-18 Hornets.

The reason for the change was to improve the entire aircraft's reliability, availability and maintainability, Lieutenant Meier said.

The new radar works as a plug-in-play system with newer, easily replaceable parts, the lieutenant said.

It's expected to have approximately a 20-fold improvement in aircraft reliability, he said.

The aircraft also stays mission-ready.

An average failure for the radar component was previously measured in tens of hours and can now be measured in hundreds of hours, Lieutenant Meier said.

The APG-82 has fewer moving parts and the new equipment lasts longer, which cuts down on the time needed for repairs, he said.

The modification of the aircraft, which began in June 2010, was a concerted effort by members of Boeing, the 46th Maintenance Group, Raytheon, the 46th Technical Support Squadron and the OFP CTF.

"Without their determination, (F-15E) RMP would not have been anywhere close to making its first flight," Lieutenant Meier said.

The developmental test flight was considered successful, and the aircrew members said they liked what they saw during the flight.

"There are huge performance increases," said Maj. Raja Chari, a 40th Flight Test Squadron member and the pilot for the first flight. "We're getting the benefit of two decades worth of technology. From what we saw in this flight, we're heading in the right direction."

The developmental test process is about building incrementally into testing more complicated functions of the equipment and finding any flaws and problems based on usage in specific test profiles.

"Really, the engineers put in the time and hard work," Major Chari said. "We have the easy part of seeing if it will do what they thought it would. It was interesting to see the engineers reacting and diagnosing the issues right away, based on our feedback."

Capt. Chris Dupin, a 40th FTS member and the weapons system officer for the first flight, said he noticed improved capabilities during the initial flight.

He said the radar was able to detect F-16s much farther away than ever before.

"The kill chain for anything is the ability to detect, identify, target and engage a threat," Captain Dupin said. "If we can detect an air target earlier or farther away, that leaves more time and space to complete the rest of the kill chain. Completing the kill chain faster and earlier means we're better able to gain or maintain airspace superiority."

The biggest "test" facing the project involves combining avionics and array systems from other aircraft and incorporating them into a totally different one.

"By using (government and commercial) off-the-shelf equipment, the Air Force is able to save a large amount of the development costs, but the challenge is integrating these new systems and making them work as one," Lieutenant Meier said.

Developmental testing is scheduled to continue through 2012, but the OFP CTF, being a shared unit of the 46th Test Wing and 53rd Wing, is unique in that its members can perform developmental tests while incorporating early operational testing.

Officials have begun modifying a 53rd Wing F-15E with the new radar and they plan to begin some of the operational type of testing as early as March.

The next stage of testing for the radar will be conducted by Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center officials before being incorporated in all F-15Es beginning in approximately 2014.

Eagles soar for last time at Hickam

by Tech Sgt. Cohen A. Young, Defense Media Activity-Hawaii

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR - HICKAM, Hawaii (AFNS) -- Pilots from the 199th Fighter Squadron, Hawaii Air National Guard, completed their last training mission with the F-15 Eagle from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii Aug 25.

The HIANG is upgrading to the F-22 Raptor, a fifth generation fighter, and received their first two Raptors in July.

The ANG is the lead in a total force concept that already exists at JB Hickam with the C-17 Globemaster III. The 199th FS will fly and help maintain the 20 F-22 Raptors that bring another capability to the HIANG.

Many of the current F-15 pilots of the HIANG are eager to start training and flying the Raptor, but will still sorely miss the Eagle aircraft, which the unit has flown since 1987, said Lt. Col. James Sage, a pilot with the 199th FS.

"It's like saying goodbye to a good friend," said Colonel Sage said. "It was exciting flying it for the last time, and especially against a F-22, but at the same time the F-15 has always brought me home safely and been an outstanding aircraft."

The three remaining F-15s will depart JB Hickam Sept. 1, and with that, two of the fighters will move onto the 56th Aggressors Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nev., while the other will move onto the 120th Fighter Wing of the Montana Air National Guard. The Montana unit has assumed the HIANG's air-defense mission for the next year as the HIANG transitions to the F-22 said 199th pilot Lt. Col. Mark Ladtkow.

"It's somewhat a bittersweet feeling flying the last training mission of the F-15 with our unit," Colonel Ladtkow said. "I'm blessed to have the upcoming opportunity to fly the F-22, but the F-15, which I've flown for 17 years, is a friend of mine and will be missed."

Colonel Ladtkow is a 20-year veteran of the military, with the last six being part of the ANG. He is slated to deliver his jet to the Montana ANG in September.

"The 199th (FS) proves that National Guard forces are capable of maintaining a strategic presence with its active-duty association and providing a great value to our nation and the state of Hawaii," said Gen. Craig R. McKinley the chief of the National Guard Bureau.

The F-22, a single-seat, twin-engine aircraft, which utilizes stealth technology, was originally designed as an air-superiority fighter.

"These F-22 Raptors are the state-of-the-art, air-superiority fighters, and couldn't be located at a better place," said General McKinley.

4th FW Strike Eagles assist shuttle launch

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. (AFNS) -- Airmen from the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., and the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, or CONR, and Air Forces Northern Command provided crucial airspace control and manning support to the successful launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis May 14 here.

CONR members ensured airspace sovereignty by enforcing the Federal Aviation Administration's temporary flight restriction area established around Kennedy Space Center. Using F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft from the 4th FW, CONR Airmen identified and redirected five aircraft that inadvertently violated the restricted airspace.

"The U.S. Air Force protects the United States every day in support of Operation Noble Eagle," said Lt. Col. Gabriel Green, the 333rd Fighter Squadron commander. "When needed, the 4th FW supports this mission. (The wing) protected the (sky) by flying an air patrol over and around the space shuttle. When an aircraft entered the no-fly zone, we intercepted, identified and redirected (it) out of the airspace."

CONR also deployed the Joint-Based Expeditionary Connectivity Center team to here to provide additional support for the launch.

AFNORTH provided the headquarters manning for U.S. Northern Command's Joint Task Force-Space Transportation System, responsible for the search and rescue of the astronauts and recovery of the orbiter if the need arises. AFNORTH also serves as the operational level focal point for situational understanding and crisis response to space shuttle mission contingencies.

"As members of CONR, we are very proud of our mission to protect the (airspace above) the shuttle while AFNORTH personnel provide manning for potential search and rescue operations," said Col. Scott Barberides, the JTF-STS commander.

The task force provides the command and control of Department of Defense forces during crisis response from the Morrell Operations Center at Cape Canaveral AFS.

"Flexibility is a key strength of airpower and Seymour Johnson (AFB) Airmen," Colonel Green said. "We are proud to have contributed to our space program and the Air Force's success."

33rd Fighter Wing says goodbye to last F-15

From the Air Forces Times

The F-15 Eagle era is over for the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

On Sept. 8, the last three of the wing’s F-15s left for the boneyard in Arizona.

In October, the wing formally ends its association with Air Combat Command and stands up as Air Education and Training Command’s schoolhouse for F-35 Lightning II pilots and crew chiefs.

"It's bittersweet knowing that once I'm airborne, it's the end of the Eagle's 30-year association with the 33rd Fighter Wing, and the ramp will sit empty until the F-35s arrive next year," Col. Todd Harmer, commander of the 33rd, said in an Air Force statement.

At one time, the 33rd was home to a trio of F-15 squadrons and more than 70 fighters. Several four-star commanders flew F-15s at the wing, including ACC commander Gen. John Corley, Air Force Vice Commander Gen. Howie Chandler and retired generals T. Michael Moseley, John Jumper, Gregory “Speedy” Martin and William Looney.

During Desert Storm, the wing’s F-15s were credited with shooting down 16 Iraqi jets.

My old U.S. Navy squadron makes a little news

Most of you do not know that I am a retired Navy Chief from the aviation community. My last unit was the River Rattlers of VFA-204 based at NAS/JRB New Orleans. I had a nice surprise in my morning mail with the publishing of this US Navy News "Photo of The Day" below.



Two F/A-18 Hornets assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 204 and two F-15 Strike Eagles assigned to the Louisiana Air National Guard 159th Fighter Wing fly in an echelon formation over southern Louisiana wetlands during a photo exercise. VFA 204 and the 159th are stationed on Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) New Orleans. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John P. Curtis/Released)

Go get'em River Rats

F-15s To Leave Tyndall Sooner Than Expected?

The following statement was made on behalf of Tom Neubauer, President of Bay Defense Alliance:

“The F15s came to Tyndall in 1983, replacing T-33. Our first 5th generation fighter, the F-22 began arriving at Tyndall in 2005 to begin a much slower process of replacing the still capable but aging F-15.

The F-22 Environmental Impact Statment anticipated a drawdown of F15s through the fiscal year 2013. This process has been accelerated as a result of 2010 defense budget uncertainties creating the aforementioned 300 aircraft option.

See the rest of the story at
http://www.panhandleparade.com/index.php/mbb/article/f_15s_to_leave_tyndall/mbb7715124/

Kadena Airmen deploy to Thailand for Exercise Cope Tiger

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) -- About 170 Kadena Air Base Airmen are deploying with 12 F-15 Eagles to Thailand to participate in Exercise Cope Tiger 2009 from March 9 through 20.

The F-15s from the 44th Fighter Squadron here will fly alongside their Thai air force counterparts as well as the Singaporean air force and other U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps air assets.

"This exercise is a great opportunity to hone our air combat skills while practicing against different adversaries than we normally train against here," said Lt. Col. Peter Oertel, the 18th Operations Group deputy commander.

Cope Tiger is a multilateral combined/joint field training exercise that enhances combined readiness and interoperability between allied forces, reinforces U.S. commitment to the Pacific region, and demonstrates U.S. capability to project combined and joint forces strategically in a multilateral environment.

The event provides an unparalleled opportunity to improve our tactics between our allied partners and cultivate interoperability and coalition procedures in the employment of airpower between the three countries, the colonel said.

More than 2,300 people will participate in the exercise, including approximately 1,200 U.S. servicemembers and 1,100 servicemembers from Thailand and Singapore forces. The exercise will take place at both Korat and Udon Thani Royal Thai air force bases and includes 156 aircraft and air defense units, 55 of which are from the United States.

"We also hope to build personal and international relationships with our allied personnel," Colonel Oertel said. "This will facilitate any responses to regional events or contingencies in the future."

F15 Crash

The Secretary of the Air Force, Office of Public Affairs has issued the following press release:

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Two Air Force F-15C Eagles were reported missing today at approximately 2 p.m. CST in the Gulf of Mexico. The two aircraft were assigned to the 33d Fighter Wing. At the time of the accident, they were on a training sortie.
Active search and rescue efforts are underway. A board of officers will investigate the accident. Additional details will be provided as soon as they become available.

ACC officials issue latest release from stand down for F-15s

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- Gen. John D.W. Corley, Air Combat Command commander, returned 149 grounded F-15s to flight Feb. 15 contingent upon the completion of customized inspections on each of the aircraft's longerons.

This "stand-down release" order brings the total number of cleared A, B, C and D-model F-15 aircraft to 429. Nine aircraft, however, will remain grounded due to cracked longerons, the critical support structures that run along the length and side of the aircraft.

The ACC release directly applies to ACC F-15 A-D aircraft. ACC also recommends the release and return to flying status of F-15 A-D aircraft assigned to the Air National Guard, Pacific Air Forces, United States Air Forces in Europe, Air Education and Training Command and Air Force Materiel Command.

The F-15s are cleared after the completion of any necessary and previously ordered inspections, follow-on engineering technical reviews on each aircraft longeron and any associated repair actions.

The recommendation to return these aircraft to flying status is based on assessments performed by the engineering staff at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center with technical assistance provided by industry partners and the Air Force Research Laboratories.

Warner Robins ALC F-15 systems program manager created the time compliance technical order inspections that each F-15 A-D aircraft have to complete before returning to flight. In addition to the TCTOs, additional inspections are required via an engineering technical assistance request process.

The purpose of the ETAR inspections is to validate unique discrepancies at specific locations on any given aircraft longeron among those aircraft recommended for release.

These are tailored inspections, which are tail-number unique, and are directed via the ETAR process. Once the ETAR inspections are complete, and TCTOs have been completed, the aircraft may return to flying status.

On Feb. 12, General Bruce Carlson, AFMC commander, approved the report of an Independent Review Team, which endorsed WR-ALC plans for releasing aircraft after an extensive analytical investigation. Subsequently, Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Owen, WR-ALC commander, recommended that F-15s with longerons not meeting specifications but, which have passed all previous published TCTOs and do not have cracks, be returned to flight. The Warner Robins ALC F-15 SPM has developed additional fleet-wide recurring inspection requirements for the F-15 A-D model longerons, which will account for individual aircraft usage severity, part thickness variations and other factors as required.

"The priority in returning these F-15s to flight is to provide combat power for the defense of our nation and, particularly, as an essential component to our nation's alert force," said General Corley. "After careful review of engineering data and upon the recommendation from both military and industry experts, I believe we can release and return our F-15s to their important air superiority mission."

The F-15s were first grounded after a Nov. 2 mishap when an F-15 C assigned to the Missouri Air National Guard broke in half due to the failure of the upper right longeron. Based on data recovered by the accident investigation board investigating that mishap, and from engineers at the WR-ALC, aircraft were found to have cracks in their longerons, which resulted in the grounding of the entire fleet until appropriate inspections and evaluations could be accomplished.

On Jan. 9, ACC cleared approximately 60 percent of its F-15 A-D model aircraft for flight and recommended a limited return to flight for Air Force units worldwide. This decision followed engineering risk assessments and data received from multiple fleet-wide inspections. At that time, it was determined that 40 percent of the F-15 A-D model fleet's longerons did not meet manufacturing specifications.

Recently Grounded F-15 Crashes in Hawaii

Here we go again. The AP is reporting this morning that a Hawaiian ANG F-15 from the 154 Wing/199FS based out of Hickam AFB lunged into the ocean on Friday.

The pilot said he could not control the plane and started to lose altitude before the crash, according to Lee. That's when he made the decision to eject and parachuted to the water 60 miles south of Honolulu.

The cause of the crash was being investigated. The plane had experienced no problems during a routine training exercise earlier in the day, Lee said.

The crash comes just a few weeks after the Hawaii Air National Guard, which uses the fighter jets to patrol island airspace, resumed flying the jet. The Guard returned 13 of its 20 planes to the air on Jan. 9. The remaining seven were still grounded and were undergoing inspections by engineers.

The full AP story can be found at
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,327786,00.html

I have covered the problems with the F-15 program extensively here on MMP. You can see some of this at the following links:

http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2008/01/kadena-f-15s-returning-to-flight.html

http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2008/01/air-force-leaders-discuss-f-15-accident.html

http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2008/01/f-15-eagle-accident-report-released.html

http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2008/01/air-force-may-shrink-its-f-15-fleet.html

http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2008/01/air-combat-command-clears-selected-f.html

http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2007/11/air-force-suspends-some-f-15-operations.html

Kadena F-15s returning to flight

By Maj. John S. Hutcheson, 18th Wing Public Affairs
Airman 1st Class Lewis McNeal marshals an F-15 Eagle piloted by Capt. Mike Jones during Exercise Beverly High 08-3 Jan. 9 at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Kadena AB F-15s were grounded since November, but 65 percent of the fleet was cleared to resume flight operations. Airman McNeal is assigned to the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and Captain Jones is from the 44th Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Dave DeRemer)

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFPN) -- Officials from the 18th Wing anticipate resuming flight operations here Jan. 14 as 39 Kadena Air Base F-15 C and D model Eagles are cleared to fly again after remaining on the ground for more than two months as a result of a fleetwide stand-down.

The order to resume flight operations came from Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler, the commander of Pacific Air Forces, at the recommendation of Air Combat Command officials.

The Air Force stood down its entire F-15 fleet, roughly 700 aircraft, after a Nov. 2 accident in Missouri in which an Air National Guard F-15C crashed as a result of structural failure. Since then, the 18th Wing and other F-15 units around the Air Force conducted a series of exhaustive technical inspections focused on the aircraft's upper longerons near the canopy of the aircraft.

The longerons are major structural components that run along the length and side of the aircraft. A series of Air Force time compliance technical orders directed 18th Wing officials to inspect the longerons for cracks and to take thickness measurements of the longerons at 84 different points.

Maintenance experts here identified a total of two aircraft with cracks in the longerons. In addition, officials at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center are still evaluating thickness measurement data from 16 other Kadena AB F-15s. The aircraft have at least one longeron that does not meet manufacturer's blueprint specifications and will remain on stand-down until further notice.

Experts at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center will analyze the data from these remaining aircraft over the next four weeks. Once the analysis is completed, they will determine which aircraft will need further inspections or repair before returning them to flight.

"Our maintainers have been working around the clock to complete these inspections in a thorough and deliberate manner," said Col. John Harris, the 18th Maintenance Group commander. "It's been an incredible amount of work and I'm proud of the way our Airmen responded to the call."

The process to ensure the base's 50 F-15s met the requirements for clearance to fly again has been intensive. The inspections, detailed in a series of TCTOs, were conducted using ultrasonic measurement techniques, dye penetrant, and other sophisticated non-destructive inspection measures.

"Restoring our Eagles is an issue of both safety and combat capability, and we take that very seriously," Colonel Harris said.

"The F-15 is critical to the defense of Japan and for maintaining peace and stability in the region," said Brig. Gen Brett T. Williams, the 18th Wing commander. "Our priority in resuming flight operations is to fill our operational taskings and requirements for the defense of Japan and to do it safely. As a result of these inspections, I'm confident we will do that."

Perhaps no one will be happier when the Kadena AB F-15s go airborne than the pilots who fly them.

"Our F-15s being airborne again means we can resume training our pilots for their wartime defense missions," said Col. Douglas Carney, the 18th Operations Group deputy commander. "The many missions the F-15 could be tasked for require a high level of skill from our pilots, which in turn requires frequent training missions to maintain the appropriate level of proficiency."

During the stand-down, 18th Wing pilots logged extra time in the simulators and in the classroom to stay sharp and to be ready to climb back into the cockpit.

"This allowed our pilots to continue some excellent training without actually getting airborne," Colonel Carney said. "But there's no substitute for the real thing."

F-15 Eagle accident report released

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- A failure of the upper right longeron, a critical support structure in the F-15C Eagle, caused the crash of a Missouri Air National Guard F-15C, four miles south-southeast of Boss, Missouri, Nov 2.

According to the Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report released Jan. 10, a technical analysis of the recovered F-15C wreckage determined that the longeron didn't meet blueprint specifications. This defect led to a series of fatigue cracks in the right upper longeron. These cracks expanded under life cycle stress, causing the longeron to fail, which initiated a catastrophic failure of the remaining support structures and led to the aircraft breaking apart in flight.

The pilot received injuries to his left shoulder and arm prior to ejecting from the aircraft. The $41.7 million aircraft, assigned to the Missouri Air National Guard's 131st Fighter Wing, was destroyed on impact. There were no fatalities. The pilot was the only person aboard the single-seat F-15C. The crash caused minimal damage to private property.

The board president, Col. William Wignall, a senior F-15 pilot, noted the pilot's actions during the mishap sequence were focused, precise and appropriate. The pilot's actions did not contribute to the mishap, said Colonel Wignall. In addition, a thorough review of local maintenance procedures revealed no problems or adverse trends which could have contributed to the accident.

Air Force leaders discuss F-15 accident, future

by Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Senior Air Force leaders gathered for a press conference here Jan. 10 to share findings from the accident investigation board currently examining the Nov. 2 crash of a Missouri Air National Guard F-15C Eagle.

The upper right longeron -- one of four metal beams that help hold the cockpit to the main fuselage -- was found to have manufacturing defects, said Col. William Wignall, the head of the accident investigation.

The one longeron, already not up to design specifications, cracked apart under the stress of a 7G turn, the colonel said. This led to the other longerons failing as well, which then caused the cockpit to separate from the rest of the fuselage. The pilot was able to eject, but suffered a broken arm when the canopy snapped off.

The incident led to the grounding of the Air Force's F-15 fleet. As of Jan. 9, the Air Force approved 60 percent of F-15 A through D models to return to service with no flight restrictions

"We've had great involvement from Boeing during the investigation," Colonel Wignall said. "In fact, they're the ones who determined the longeron was the problem. This was then confirmed by the Air Force Research Laboratory."

During the fleet's grounding, every F-15 base conducted a series of detailed inspections. During that timeframe, nine other F-15s have been found to have similar cracks in their longerons.

The difficulty is that issues have been found with F-15s built between 1978 and 1985, across A through D models at several bases, so no one source of the problem can be isolated, said Gen. John D.W. Corley, the commander of Air Combat Command.

"This isn't just about one pilot in one aircraft with one bad part," General Corley said. "I have a fleet that is 100 percent fatigued, and 40 percent of that has bad parts. The long-term future of the F-15 is in question."

In the meantime, F-22 Raptor, F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15E Strike Eagle pilots have picked up the F-15s usual mission of patrolling and defending American airspace and interests.

That has had a ripple effect among those pilots' missions, General Corley said.

"We don't have a full and healthy fleet, so we've gotten behind on training missions, instructor certifications, classes and exercises," he said. "And in the meantime, our pilots have to be ready to deploy."

For some of the nine F-15s that have longeron cracks, it may be cost prohibited to repair them, General Corley said. The Air Force is scheduled to retire some of these aircraft in the next fiscal year.

"We're going over each and every aircraft to make a determination," he said. "We will take some F-15s out of the inventory. It just doesn't make sense to spend the time and money if it won't be worth it for some aircraft."

The Air Force first began flying the F-15 in 1972 and has 665 F-15s and F-15Es in its inventory. Its replacement, the fifth generation F-22, is currently in production with active squadrons at Langley Air Force Base, Va., and Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.

Air Force may shrink its F-15 fleet - Aircraft to be Scrapped

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that the Air Force will probably order dozens of its F-15 fighter jets permanently grounded because of crucial structural flaws, significantly reducing the number of planes available to protect the United States. The official announcement on the status of the F-15 fleet will be released today.

After one of the jets broke apart during a simulated dogfight in November, Air Force officials grounded the entire F-15 fleet, nearly 700 planes in all, fearing such a defect. The newest versions of the fighter jets were allowed to resume flying shortly afterward, but 440 of the older model F-15s have remained out of service.

The Air Force plans to allow about 260 of the remaining grounded planes to return to duty today. But about 180 more will remain idle because of suspected structural flaws.

You can read the entire article at the LA Times link below.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/la-na-airforce9jan09,1,2350411.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

Air Combat Command Clears Selected F-15s for Flight

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. - Air Combat Command today cleared a portion of its F-15 A-D model aircraft for flying status and recommended a limited return to flight for Air Force units worldwide following engineering risk assessments and data received from multiple fleet-wide inspections.

The return to fly order and recommendation applies only to those F-15 aircraft, about 60 percent of the total Air Force F-15 A-D fleet, that have cleared all inspections and have met longeron manufacturing specifications.

The order and recommendation follows more than two months of stand-down actions after an Air National Guard F-15C aircraft experienced catastrophic structural failure and broke apart in flight during a basic fighter maneuver training sortie in Missouri on Nov. 2.

"The priority in resuming operations for a portion of the F-15 fleet is the defense of our nation -- America deserves nothing less," said General John D.W. Corley, Air Combat Command commander. "Aircraft inspection results and counsel from both military and industry experts have made me confident in the safety of a portion of the fleet. As a result, I have cleared those F-15s to return to fly."

Today's decision follows detailed information briefed on Friday to Air Combat Command from the Air Force's F-15 Systems Program Manager, senior engineers from Boeing and the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, as well as a briefing received today from the Accident Investigation Board president.

The information included an analysis of the health of the Air Force's F-15 fleet from findings from the Nov. 2 mishap investigation, maintenance inspections and actions completed and taken to date as well as historical science and engineering trend data from F-15 fleet management.

Inspections are more than 90 percent complete. Remaining inspections have primarily focused on the forward longerons. The longerons are a critical support structure.

TCTO inspections have discovered nine other aircraft with longeron fatigue-cracks. Additionally, approximately 40 percent of inspected aircraft have at least one longeron that does not meet blueprint specifications.

Deviations in these longerons will be analyzed at the WR-ALC. The analysis is expected to take approximately four weeks to complete. Once the analysis is complete, ACC will be able to better determine which aircraft will need further inspection, or repair, before returning them to flight.

F-15s undergo extensive technical inspections

by Tech. Sgt. Russell Wicke, Air Combat Command Public Affairs
An F-15C Eagle from Langley Air Force Base, Va., flies over Washington during an early morning combat air patrol mission in support of Operation Noble Eagle. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Greg L. Davis)

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- Air Force maintainers are now performing methodical and time-intensive inspections on all F-15 Eagles, models A, B, C and D, in response to the Dec. 3 stand-down order.

The decision follows additional information received from the ongoing investigation of the Nov. 2 F-15C mishap, which resulted in the loss of that aircraft. The Accident Investigation Board found defects which indicate potential structural damage in the rest of the fleet.

Maintainers at Langley have found no cracks or evidence of fatigue in F-15 longerons so far; however, throughout the Air Force, maintainers have found cracks in the upper longerons of eight F-15s (as of Dec. 10). Four of these aircraft are assigned to the Air National Guard's 173rd Fighter Wing, Kingsley Field, Ore.; two are assigned to the 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan; another is assigned to the 325th Fighter Wing, Tyndall AFB, Fla.; and one assigned to the ANG 131st Fighter Wing, St. Louis, Mo.

Every aircraft will undergo all previously published time compliance technical order inspections. However, unlike in recent weeks, the cleared aircraft will not immediately return to flight. Technical experts at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Ga., are developing new inspection techniques based on findings in parts of the mishap aircraft. These inspections will be performed as soon as the new TCTO is available for the affected F-15s.

As part of the previous TCTO, maintenance crews around the Air Force are stripping paint and performing non-destructive inspections in the F-15's upper longeron just aft of the canopies.

Maintainers are working around the clock to conduct these inspections, said Capt. Timothy Blasiman, the 71st Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer in charge.

Each of the 20 F-15s assigned to Langley require a minimum inspection time of 12.5 hours. Some F-15 models elsewhere require inspections that take more than 20 hours. The B and D models are more time consuming, said Captain Blasiman, because they have two seats. The rear seat requires removal to access the upper longerons.

Inspections are more than just a visual check, said Staff Sgt. Aaron Gammill. After the paint is stripped and bare metal is exposed, Airmen from the non-destructive inspection shop apply chemicals that reveal cracks under a black light. Other inspections in hard-to-see areas are done with a boar scope - a tool that uses a tiny camera and fits in tight areas.

Inspections must be meticulous because the nature of the problem could lead to loss of life or aircraft, said Bo Floyd, the Air Force F-15 Engineer Technical Services lead.

Air Force officials are not willing to take risks in this matter, Mr. Floyd said.

"Our mission is to generate sorties and maintain a combat-effective airplane here," said Captain Blasiman.

Inspection requirements are precise and demanding, said Ralph Farley, the ACC Engineering Technical Service representative.

"Pieces of the crashed jet have been (retrieved) and sent to the Air Force research lab ... to see what may have caused the aircraft to disintegrate," he said. "That information is going down to (our engineers) where they will determine how to inspect, what will be inspected and the form in which it's done."

Airmen from ACC and engineers from Warner Robins are doing everything to ensure the Air Force's F-15 fleet returns to flight safely, Mr. Farley said.

Officials stand down F-15 A-D models until further notice

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- The commander of Air Combat Command directed the stand-down Dec. 3 of all ACC F-15 A through D model aircraft until further notice.

The decision follows additional information received from the ongoing investigation of the Nov. 2 F-15C mishap that resulted in the loss of that aircraft.

Gen. John D.W. Corley, ACC commander, also recommended the grounding of all other A through D model aircraft in other Air Force major commands, including those under the operational control of U.S. combatant commanders.

Monday's findings from the accident investigation board indicate that a recently discovered defect may be more extensive and found in more aircraft than initially thought. These findings, based on a metallurgical analysis of the mishap aircraft, continue to focus on the F-15's upper longerons near the canopy of the aircraft. Additional cracks have been discovered in these longerons. The longerons are major structural components that run along the length and side of the aircraft.

Technical experts with the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., are developing a specific inspection technique for the suspect area based on the recent findings. However, unlike previous inspections, the inspected aircraft will not be immediately returned to flight.

The duration of the stand-down is pending. Aircraft will not be returned to operational status until the F-15 A-D model findings and data have been analyzed, required inspections have been accomplished and the necessary repair or mitigation actions have been completed.

Computer simulations have indicated a catastrophic structural failure could result from cracks in the longerons. To date, longeron cracks have been discovered in an additional four aircraft. These aircraft are awaiting further engineering instructions before they are returned to operational status.

Air Combat Command officials continue to work with those in the Air National Guard, the Air Force Reserve and sister major commands in Europe and the Pacific, as well as with joint and coalition partners, to ensure mission coverage.

The stand-down does not affect the F-15E Strike Eagle.