Barnes ANG: F-15EX or F-35s?

[Corsair1963]

DAF selects next locations for newest fighters

Published April 18, 2023
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Department of the Air Force selected the next bases to receive two of its newest fighters.

Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts, was selected as the preferred location to host the next F-35A Lightning II squadron and Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans and Fresno Air National Guard Base, California, will replace their F-15C/D Eagles with F-15EX Strike Eagles.

The new squadrons will consist of 18 F-35As at Barnes ANGB and 18 F-15EXs each at both Fresno ANGB and NAS JRB New Orleans.

The decision to host the next F-35As and the F-15EXs at their respective bases came after conducting site surveys at each location, assessing the location’s ability to facilitate the mission and infrastructure capacity, while accounting for community support, environmental factors and cost.

The Department of the Air Force will conduct environmental impact analyses at each base, which are expected to be completed in spring 2024 before a final decision is made.

Full article: https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display ... -fighters/

[Corsair1963]

Honestly, I expected Barnes to get the F-35A and NAS New Orleans to get the F-15EX. Yet, very surprised that Fresno is also getting the Eagle? The latter is very close to NAS Lemoore. Which already operate a large number of USN F-35Cs. Plus, with Oregon also getting the F-15EX. Means no Stealth Fighters on the West Coast to provide Air Defense at all!

Additional source: https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/a ... -new-bases

[mixelflick]

Rather shocking, I must admit...

Figured Barnes would be getting the EX for sure, especially given the mission and there are already F-35's in the neighborhood (VT ANG). Be that as it may, this was a huge win for the unit (104th fighter wing) that apparently really does have a sterling reputation regarding readiness, capability and overall professionalism within USAF and elsewhere.

NOTE: USAF press release/article states, " Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans and Fresno Air National Guard Base, California, will replace their F-15C/D Eagles with F-15EX Strike Eagles..."

Hmmmm..... did they let something slip as to their future plans?

[spazsinbad]

Extra location details?

Air Force Picks New Guard Locations for F-35, F-15EX Fighters
18 Apr 2023

The Air Force announced locations for two new F-15EX squadrons and a new F-35 unit on April 18, all within the Air National Guard.

The preferred location for the new F-35A squadron is Barnes Air National Guard Base, Mass., while the F-15EXs are slated for Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, La., and Fresno Air National Guard Base, Calif.

All three bases currently operate older F-15C/D model fighters which the Air Force wants to retire in the coming years.

At Barnes, the 104th Fighter Wing would gain 18 new F-35s. At NAS Joint Reserve Base New Orleans and Fresno, the 159th Fighter Wing and the 144th Fighter Wing would each get 18 F-15EXs.

Source: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-f ... 35-f-15ex/

[Corsair1963]

Extra location details? https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-f ... 35-f-15ex/

Air Force Picks New Guard Locations for F-35, F-15EX Fighters 18 Apr 2023

Other sources say the USAF is going to retire half on the F-15E Fleet in the coming years. So, my guess is as soon as F-35 numbers catch up. They will just replace the F-15EXs. Which, is turn would replace the retiring Strike Eagles.

[juggernautalpha]

Your thoughts

[mixelflick]

The 104th recently donated this F-15C to the New England Air Museum. It's no ordinary F-15 BTW. In fact, it's the exact bird that Capt. Rick Tollini was flying when he downed an Iraqi Air Force Mig-25 on January 19, 1991.

https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/News ... ir-museum/

The 104th's wing commander made a peculiar statement though, in this press release. He seems to think that, "the mighty Eagle is retiring from the U.S. Air Force ”? That perplexed me a bit, as F-15EX's are being delivered to operational units as we speak.

Regardless, this gem promises to be the museum's feature attraction. They currently have no F-15 on display, and the previous "big draw" IMO was an F-14B (currently in storage). They also have a Mig-15, F-86, A-10, F-4D, F-100, F-104, A-4, A-7D and an F-105B. The size and scale of the F-14B and F-105B in particular, are staggering IMO. You'll never understand just how big they are, until you've stood next to them...

If you're in the neighborhood, please do take the opportunity to stop by. A lot of history there, and they've worked hard to build a gold mine of aviation history.

[F-16ADF]

The 104th recently donated this F-15C to the New England Air Museum. It's no ordinary F-15 BTW. In fact, it's the exact bird that Capt. Rick Tollini was flying when he downed an Iraqi Air Force Mig-25 on January 19, 1991.

https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/News ... ir-museum/

The 104th's wing commander made a peculiar statement though, in this press release. He seems to think that, "the mighty Eagle is retiring from the U.S. Air Force ”? That perplexed me a bit, as F-15EX's are being delivered to operational units as we speak.

Regardless, this gem promises to be the museum's feature attraction. They currently have no F-15 on display, and the previous "big draw" IMO was an F-14B (currently in storage). They also have a Mig-15, F-86, A-10, F-4D, F-100, F-104, A-4, A-7D and an F-105B. The size and scale of the F-14B and F-105B in particular, are staggering IMO. You'll never understand just how big they are, until you've stood next to them...

If you're in the neighborhood, please do take the opportunity to stop by. A lot of history there, and they've worked hard to build a gold mine of aviation history.

Thanks Mixelflick for this!

Hopefully next summer I will be in Albany, and drive east to the NE air museum. I would like to ask just how many F-15 Mig killers did the MAANG operate, it seems like quite a few? And here is a photo of another mighty Eagle from the 104FW at Thunder Over Michigan. I think it's 85-0104, and it shot down a Mig-23 back in DS. The pilot was really cool, and said you guys are converting to the F-35.

You are right about the size of the F-14 (same for F-15). We have an F-14A (161620) on display at the Selfridge air museum. No tanks or Phoenix rails on it, just stub pylons. Basically as clean as the Tomcat can get. And it's awesome.

[mixelflick]

Glad I could help..

As far as how many Mig killers the 104th operates... I wish I knew. Didn't go to the most recent airshow, but do see them almost daily flying over my place. I was told once that many of the F-15's assigned here are some of the best/most upgraded jets in the fleet. Being responsible for so many lives in the Northeast, I guess that makes sense.

Have not seen an F-35 assigned here yet. I don't think they get their first jets until next year. Or at least, that was the plan.. Now that LM has released those 100+ jets awaiting block 4/TR-3 refresh, that calculus might have changed.

I would think the sidekick modification would be a priority for their mission. Perhaps not though, as AIM-9X's can be carried externally and would be cheaper if needed to take down a drone, cruise missile, light aircraft etc..

Exciting times...

[mixelflick]

End of an era around here. 18 years of dedicated service protecting the entire Northeast. The men and the machines will be sorely missed.

Sad day, but we still have a Foxbat killer in the New England Air Museum just down the road a few miles. It was THE measuring stick air to air and goes to the boneyard with a perfect air to air record, 104-0 by some counts. I tend to believe it, as no foreign country has ever produced evidence of an F-15 shootdown.

https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-n ... rnes-f-15/

[quicksilver]

“It was THE measuring stick air to air …”

Indeed.

[mixelflick]

“It was THE measuring stick air to air …”

Indeed.

Since our F-15's are now gone and the 1st F-35 won't arrive until next summer, I wonder who's picking up their mission? Responsibility for the upper east coast where 1/3rd of the US population lives is a pretty big deal. I'm thinking it's the Green Mountain boys, flying F-35A's.

[daswp]

“It was THE measuring stick air to air …”

Indeed.

Since our F-15's are now gone and the 1st F-35 won't arrive until next summer, I wonder who's picking up their mission? Responsibility for the upper east coast where 1/3rd of the US population lives is a pretty big deal. I'm thinking it's the Green Mountain boys, flying F-35A's.

DC Guard with F-16's?

[mixelflick]

DC Guard with F-16's?

That was my 2nd guess, but that's still a long way from say, ME/NH/VT and then our sovereign airspace surrounding such.

There are several bases around here plenty big to host a temporary unit. Westover AFB in central MA is the largest ANG (or AFRES, can't remember) base in the whole country. Currently hosts 8 C-5M's but we used to have 16... with room to spare. Former SAC base and the longest runway in the Northeast - at least at one time. It was an alternate space shuttle landing site, I know that.

Pease in NH currently flies the KC-46. It too, was a former SAC base so I'm guessing they could host a temporary unit. The VT ANG flies the F-35, would probably make the most sense. Especially with Pease/tankers so close by.

Maybe we asked Canada for the help?

[fbw]

“It was THE measuring stick air to air …”

Indeed.

Since our F-15's are now gone and the 1st F-35 won't arrive until next summer, I wonder who's picking up their mission? Responsibility for the upper east coast where 1/3rd of the US population lives is a pretty big deal. I'm thinking it's the Green Mountain boys, flying F-35A's.

I’d imagine the role is being shared between the 158th and the 177th.
Prob the 177th covering NYC, lower New England and 158th covering upper New England, good question though.
Would have made sense to reassign some of the Kadena F-15C’s to Barnes as well as Oregon until F-35 arrived.