|
|
|
#31
07-26-2007, 11:28 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
There have been F-15s shot down. Several E models were lost in the Gulf War during ground attack missions. As far as I know, no A or C models have been lost due to enemy action. Last count I read was a while back and I think win/loss was something like 102/0. Rather amazing considering its high radar cross-section. One of my favorite stories regarding the F-15 happened during Red Flag 85-01. I was covering the Nevada war games for our base newspaper at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. Half the then 21st Tactical Fighter Wing (now 3rd Wing) had deployed to Nellis AFB for the fun. I went along as "war correspondent." Most Red Flags involved different aircraft from different services, and from different countries. One evening, following a particularly hard fought battle by Eagles from Alaska, there was a lot of bragging going on the Red Flag club. I don't remember if it had a name or not, but it was inside the Red Flag building. Anyway, I was listening to one of the pilots (one of our better pilots) describe his encounter with one of the Aggressor pilots. When he finished, he ended his story with something about being the "best of the best." At a nearby table, four Marine pilots who were at 85-01 with their beloved F-18s, balked at what the AF major saying and bit of a heated discussion of the best aircraft and pilots ensued. It ended with a challenge. Four F-18s versus one F-15. The rules were simple. The F-18s will take off in the morning run. They will be allowed to set up however they liked. The major would take off 20 minutes later. Survivors return when the enemy is dead. At that time, duels were allowed and generally occurred before the morning missions began to keep airspace down to a minimum. After photographing the take-offs, I retired to the Big Board room to watch the battle. It began about five minutes later with the major getting a kill. I continued to watch the battle, amazed at some of the tactics going on and when it was over, I went back out to photograph the return of the aircrews. The first to land was the pilot who got the final kill. I will never forget the grin on the face of that Air Force major as he taxied to his parking spot. When he saw me, he gave me a thumbs up, then pumped his arm. Needless to say, four Marine pilots were buying the drinks that night.
__________________
Ashrunner "If you don't know what a lahar is, don't get in its way!" My Designs -- My Photography 
|
 |
|
|
Linear Mode
