Some F-15's Grounded Over Recent Crash

The Air Force says they will ensure that mission requirements are met for worldwide operations normally accomplished by the F-15.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The Air Force suspended non-mission critical F-15 flight operations Saturday after the crash of a Missouri Air National Guard F-15C aircraft November 2nd.

An Air Force spokesperson says the cause of the Missouri accident is still under investigation, however, preliminary findings indicate that a possible structural failure of the aircraft may have occurred. The suspension of flight operations is being called "a precautionary measure."

The Air National Guard F-15 crashed in a rural part of south-central Missouri Friday after the pilot ejected. The pilot was then flown to a St. Louis hospital with injuries that were described as non life-threatening, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The F-15 crashed in the woods near Boss.

The Air Force says they will ensure that mission requirements are met for worldwide operations normally accomplished by the F-15. Current F-15 flying locations include bases in the continental United States, Alaska, England, Hawaii, Japan and the Middle East.

The Air Force says there are more than 700 F-15's in the Air Force inventory. The F-15 reached initial operational capability for the Air Force in September 1975.

While they state that the F-15 continues to serve its country well, the Air Force is replacing these aging fighters with its fifth generation of air superiority, the F-22 Raptor.

The F-22 is the world's most advanced fighter aircraft combining stealth, supercruise, maneuverability and integrated avionics to provide unmatched warfighting capabilities in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to permit the Air Force to gain and maintain air supremacy over the battlefield.

The F-15C, D and E models were deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1991 in support of Operation Desert Storm where they proved their superior combat capability. F-15C fighters accounted for 34 of the 37 Air Force air-to-air victories. The F-15E's were operated mainly at night, hunting SCUD missile launchers and artillery sites using the LANTIRN system.

They have since been deployed for air expeditionary force deployments and Operations Southern Watch -- the no-fly zone in Southern Iraq, Provide Comfort in Turkey, Allied Force in Bosnia, Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom in Iraq.

Oregon's Air Guard lost an F-15 pilot last summer. Officials say spatial disorientation during an air combat training mission caused Major Greg Young's Oregon Air Guard F-15A to crash approximately 42 nautical miles west of Arch Cape, Oregon, in the Pacific Ocean on June 26th, 2007, Air Force officials announced today. Major Young, died immediately on impact and was the only aviator aboard the single-seat F-15A.

Special thanks to Mike Braibish of the Oregon National Guard for information in this report.

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Leif March 3, 2008 1:26 pm (Pacific time)

The USAF just wants more F-22's so they are amplifying the F-15 problems to save $ for them.

Marco January 6, 2008 5:41 am (Pacific time)

Hi all, I'm the photograper who made the photo at that F-15, it's nice to see one of my photos published on a journal so distance from Italy!! But actually if you read better on my webpage the details of the photo say that it' s: F-15C MO 86-0151, 390th FS 366th FW Mountain-Home AFB, Idaho. Best Regards. Bye Bye

Neo November 10, 2007 12:17 pm (Pacific time)

Without a large standing army, the best technology is the only way for the US to protect itself and its interests. We have to be first because China is going to be the real test for our children in the next generation.

The JSF has been named the Lightning II in honor of the P-38.

From the Editor, Tim King: Neo, my dad who passed away last summer was involved in the construction of the P-38 during the Second World War, I can't think of many aircraft that did more that the "Lightning", thanks for adding that.

GodsofChaos November 9, 2007 7:39 am (Pacific time)

"Enjoy sleeping comfortably and safely tonight…it’s thanks to them you can."Thankful Citizen Yes if it wasn't for our brave men and women the freedom we have would just be an idea.

Thankful Citizen November 9, 2007 12:33 am (Pacific time)

My how quickly some Americans forget. Vic, come on brother, have you already forgotten about 9/11? You ask us to "...name an event/invasion of the US that threatened [your] rights..." Are you kidding me? If we didn't have "air jocks" and brave men and women on the ground and at sea to fight the war on terrorism, do you really think Al Qaeda would have just stopped at the twin towers and allowed you to keep your rights and freedoms? Our troops are out there getting the job done, not “fulfilling starwars fantasies.” Instead of bashing our military, perhaps you should thank the next soldier, sailor or airman you see for a job well done. Enjoy sleeping comfortably and safely tonight…it’s thanks to them you can.

GodsofChaos November 6, 2007 2:37 pm (Pacific time)

"The picture that is posted is not a Missouri Air Guard plane but a plan from the Mountain home AFB in Idaho I should know because i am working on this jet but the jets from the two bases a similar in appearance."General The exact jet in the picture? If that is the case......I am in shock in the odds you just defied.

General November 6, 2007 11:05 am (Pacific time)

The picture that is posted is not a Missouri Air Guard plane but a plan from the Mountain home AFB in Idaho I should know because i am working on this jet but the jets from the two bases a similar in appearance.

Editor: General, we stand corrected, thanks for the correction. For the record it was described as a Missouri plane from the caption

Henry Ruark November 6, 2007 6:38 am (Pacific time)

To all: Missed following this one for a day or two. NOW geatly pleased to learn how personal interests of some contribute much to learnings for others. Vic got reminded, as did I, on some key historical points. Other points re Hitler and N/bomb scientists forgotten all too much, too. Again, honest, open, dialog pays off for all, even without personal-attack "intensity".

GodsofChaos November 5, 2007 2:29 pm (Pacific time)

"please include the event/invasion of the US that threatened my rights"Vic

How about the War of 1812? Britain invaded the United States after we got sick and tired of the British attacking our shipping lanes so we declared war on them. This led to Washington D.C. being brunt to the ground and the battle that became our nation anthem.

If we lost that war do you think America would be the same nation that it is Today?

Since you seem to be lacking in the history of warfare there are a couple of others I am going to list.

WWII do think that if we didn't invaded Germany that Russia could of won by itself?

A little known fact. Germany was very close to getting the A-bomb but then we assassinated key scientists or got them to work for us.

We then proceeded to carpet bomb their enrichment facilities during the day light. We were the only nation willing to sacrifice planes on heavily defended targets so we could see what we were hitting.Other nations relied on night raids thus not knowing if they were hitting there targets or blowing some uninhabited hill to bits.

The point I am trying to make is America played a huge role in stopping Hitler getting the A-Bomb.

Note that Germany had rockets called V-2s that could of delivered nukes.

Do you think America would be the nation it is today if were a lump of glass?

How about the on going war in Iraq and Afghanistan? The Islamic Terror groups are send in a lot of man power and funding into these countries for fear of a Republic(like America) in these to countries.

What would be happing if they sent the same amount of man power and funding in America? I bet America would be just as violent as Iraq.Better to fight the war in are neighbor -s land then our backyard.

I will list one more war.The America Revolution. If we didn't win that war do you think you would even have "Your rights"?

I suggest you study these wars that protected your freedoms before you start bashing our military who have been protecting our rights.

Vic November 5, 2007 8:37 am (Pacific time)

"Besides if all goes well the JSF may be equipped with lasers thus letting air jocks live star wars fantasies" Wow ... that is COOL ! We are in debt more than all the other nations of the world combined , the only industrialized nation in the world that has no health care system..our schools and roads are crumbling....but we can "let air jocks fulfil their star wars fantasies" What a sick nation. And before you gung ho types spout off something like how the military fought for my right to bitch, please include the event/invasion of the US that threatened my rights, because I cannot remember one.

GodsofChaos November 4, 2007 7:25 pm (Pacific time)

Well I greatly enjoyed your article on the M-16,even though I disagreed with you on the regard that the AK-47 was better but I agree in the respect that American could have a better assault rifle.

Hopefully the next generation of American assault rifles will have all the advantages of the AK-47 and M-16 and none of their weakness.

I posted on it not to long ago.....sorry but after reading your article I got so excited that I failed to realize until latter that I posted on a dead topic.

Now back to the topic at hand.

Another viable option for the The future maybe ten years from now is an complete UAV Air Force. No longer would our guys need to put themselves in danger but instead control the there vehicle from the United States and drop bombs or fire missiles at a target on the other side of the globe!! Of course this technology is still in its infancy and needs to be nurtured before an complete Unmanned Air Force becomes an option.

Even though I heard nothing but success stories about the Predator Drones.

Tim King: Well for the record I do not disagree that the M-16 is a more accurate and even "better" weapon, but our weapon is not nearly as resilient when it comes to the environmental issues and the number of moving parts, those guys over there are just better off with the AK-47's in my opinion.

Did you see the article I published last week about the unmanned aircraft in Eastern Oregon? I jumped on a Gulf Stream Thursday with Del Smith of Evergreen and several notable aviation officials to see their unmanned recon craft. It flies automated, the operator only worries about recording images, it was far more than I expected.

What I got from that was that there will always be manned aircraft because of transport issues and rescue and recovery. I agree though that the UCAV concept could greatly reduce the number of pits that we have to send out out combat mission and put at risk. Man, are we an advanced world or what? Imagine if this kind of energy were to be invested in human projects, the thought is mind numbing.

Did you hear about the Predator that the Border Patrol lost? Apparently it has caused a shock wave to travel through the FAA and they are really paying attention to the whole unmanned thing right now. Selfishly, I always think about the news applications, imagine not having helicopters with real people, I think it is in our near future.

GodsofChaos November 4, 2007 6:08 pm (Pacific time)

, hopefully the new Joint Strike Fighter will change "things, and if I'm not mistaken, the Marines will get the aircraft too, that is good, they always get the least."Tim King

I have been doing some reading (you article got me thinking about aircraft) and from what I can decipher from unclassified(I.E made public) reports is the JSF will be the main plane in the newly overhauled Air Force.The JSF will fill the role such as ground support, desperate situation roles since they can vertically take off so as you stated in your ,M-16 article, good for a non-nuclear WWIII and will be more of a low altitude dog fighter kinda of like the F-16. On the other hand the F-22 though expensive has such a high kill ratio in dog fight "war games" that it will be built for that reason. So the F-22 will be like the special forces in the Air Force. Their role will be dog fighting, dangerous recon missions if our unmanned drones prove not up to the task,and other missions that no other air plane can handle.

At least that is what official statements I have read when regarding these planes.

P.S. I hope I am not bothering you to much with my frequent posting its just your article hit a cord with me and am interested on what your take on the future of the American Air Force.

Tim King: Bothering? Hardly, I could discuss this all day to be honest, I just need someone who knows this information such as yourself. It makes me consider the possibilities also with regard to forums and things like that here at Salem-News.com. Thanks for mentioning the M-16 article, I think that is a big subject slipping right past Americans. Thanks for posting, it makes all of this worthwhile.

GodsofChaos November 4, 2007 4:57 pm (Pacific time)

"Thanks for bringing up good point."Tim King

Your welcome.

I am also glad that we are starting to phase out are old planes. Though planes like the F-16,F-17 Tomcat or at least thats what I believe it is called and F-15 have served us well some of the designs are almost 50 years old. Technology aviation has grown and the new planes can save life's,be more efficient and help us keep the most important element in warfare,just ask Hitler, the skies and with Russian new up to date MIGs being built our air force is needing an overhaul.

Though I not an aircraft expert,I tend more to the study the technology of ground forces,I think that new air planes are long over due.

Besides if all goes well the JSF may be equipped with lasers thus letting air jocks live star wars fantasies.

Tim King: Yes, it is important to note these facts, and they also apply to other aspects of aviation like the forest fire aircraft that hail from WWII. It is true of course that they constantly update and even manufactured these planes long after their entry of service.

The F-14/F-15 and F-16's emerged in the early 1970's, placing that design in the 30-40 year old range. The FA/18 debuted in the early 1980's. The C-130 dates back to the mid-50's and they are widely used still. It is interesting for sure. I had the pleasure of covering an unmanned aircraft exhibit this week and I flew to the event with several notable aviation people including the man who designed the avionics for the F-111. That still flies by the way, you don't hear too much about it. I guess it was the first fully computerized fighter.

You mentioned MIG's, I have been captivated by these Russian planes for many years and have had the opportunity to cover MIG-29's that participated in Red Flag at Nellis Air Base and also did an in-flight profile on a MIG-17, totally fascinating. They all take off and land from dirt runways, are suitable for extreme weather, etc. None of our planes are as capable in those areas. I think we have much to learn, hopefully the new Joint Strike Fighter will change things, and if I'm not mistaken, the Marines will get the aircraft too, that is good, they always get the least.

GodsofChaos November 4, 2007 3:24 pm (Pacific time)

This could be considered off Topic but, I thought the JSF was going to replace most of are aging fighters and not the F-22 because of their high cost.

Tim King: GodsofChaos, I don't think that is off-topic, and I think it is a good point. I too have heard similar thoughts expressed over the cost of the F-22. This statement that I went with was issued by an Air Guard spokesman so I went with it for that reason, but I will look around and explore that subject. I think the JSF is a very nice way to go. Also, I was in Las Vegas working in TV news when some of the first F-22's started showing up, so that was an exciting time. On that note, (talk about off-topic!) Bonnie and I were both at El Toro when the first FA/18's arrived, another great airplane.
Thanks for bringing up good point.

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