Some Not So HNL RareBirds

I had the splendid chance of attending the 2014 Iruma Airshow in Saitama, Japan this past November 3rd. This year marks the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the Japan Air Self Defense Force. The highlight of any airshow would be the performance done by the local military groups and Japan was no exception. The JASDF's Blue Impulse, flying Kawasaki T-4s wowed the enthusiastic crowd of more than 200,000 people that attended that day. Other aerial demonstrations where performed by Iruma's 2nd Tactical Airlift Wing flying Kawasaki C-1s and a U-4, the Air Defense Command HQ Flight Group in their YS-11, U-125 and Kawasaki T-4s, JASDF's Air Rescue Wing with their U-125A and UH-60J, and the Base's Helicopter Airlift Corps flying the CH-47J.  I was impressed at how the audience oohed and awed at the maneuvers the various display groups performed. This was one of the main highlights of my Japan trip! I hope to make it out there for more JDM metal soon!

Aloha No, Montana ANG

The detachment of the Montana Air National Guard's 186th FS / 120th FW assigned to temporary duty at HIK comes to an end today at 0000Z (1400L).

The Montana ANG was brought in during the Hawai‘i ANG's transition from the F-15 to the F-22, to fill the role of air defense around the Hawaiian Islands.

The six F-15Cs, pilots, and support personnel ends a 28-month mission, that was scheduled to last 18 months, but was extended due to the maintenance issue with the F-22 oxygen delivery system.

Mahalo to "The Vigilantes" for keeping our skies safe.

Barrier Landing

An Oregon Air National Guard F-15C Eagle made a barrier landing on Runway 4R this morning, after experiencing a hydraulic failure. HIK ARFF trucks, and State DoT personnel stood by as the wounded fighter made a successful landing. I was not on-hand for the landing, but witnesses said that the barrier did the job in slowing the F-15C to stop a couple of hundred yards after the barrier pit. Runway 4R was re-opened after the barrier was reset, and the runway inspected.

79-0077 (c/n 0626/C146) from the 114th Fighter Squadron / 173rd Fighter Wing, based at Kingsley Field, Klamath Falls, OR, is here as part of a detachment participating in Sentry Aloha. It's seen above, under tow back to HIK.

Sentry Aloha

The beginning of the month kicked off exercise Sentry Aloha. This exercise provides dissimilar air combat training (DACT) among the F-16C/Ds of the 18th Aggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, Hawaii Air National Guard's F-22As, F-15Cs from Montana's 120th Fighter Wing and Oregon's 173rd Fighter Wing.

Also transiting through today, were the F/A-18C Hornets of VMFA-232 "Red Devils". A historical note about the VMFA-232, they had two stints at Marine Corps Air Field Kāne‘ohe Bay. The first "K-Bay" assignment was from 1956 to 1966, they flew the North American FJ-1A Fury and the LTV F-8E Crusader. The second "K-Bay" assignment was from 1977 to 1993, when they flew the McDonnell-Douglas F-4J Phantom II and the F/A-18 Hornets. They are currently stationed at MCAS Miramar, but on deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Aloha ‘Oe Eagles

The Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 199th Fighter Squadron bid a fond aloha ‘oe the last three McDonnell-Douglas F-15C Eagles today.  Flying as "Zesty97", the three fighters (seen above taxiing on Taxiway M) departed for the US mainland accompanied by a HI ANG KC-135R from the 203rd ARS, "Adobe47".

78-0509 (top), 78-0522, and 78-0528 departed the "Reef Runway" for the last time under partly cloudy Hawaiian skies.  Ground crew, other HI ANG pilots, the media, and social media lined up along Taxiway RG as the fighters took off one by one with afterburners lit.  57-1508 (above) followed a few minutes after to replenish the three Eagles 5.5 hour flight across the Pacific.

While the HI ANG pilots are undergoing F-22A training, the 120th FW of the Montana ANG is assuming the air defense role for Hawai‘i, until there are enough F-22As in the 199th's hands.

A couple of dozen 199th FS's pilots and ground crew came out to witness the departure, and bid farewell to the three Eagles.  They're watching 78-0528 begin it's "Hang Ten" climb over the channel to Ke‘ehi Lagoon.

HNL RareBirds extends a warm mahalo to Pacific Air Forces, the Hawai‘i Air National Guard, the 154th Wing, and the 199th Fighter Sqaudron for your service to our country and state, plus allowing us to attend today's momentous and bittersweet event.

Final HANG F-15 Sortie

The Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 199th Fighter Squadron held its final F-15C Eagle training sortie today. Eagles 78-0509 and 78-0522 took on the 199th's F-22A, 03-4046. The last three of 14 F-15Cs will be officially retired by the 199th next week.  The other 11 have already gone onto new homes or AMARG.

HNL RareBirds was privileged to watch the Raptor (seen above, piloted by Lt. Col. Kristoff "Jag" Sills, Steek11) and two Eagles (Mytai12) depart Runway 8R, up close from Taxiway RM, a mere 50 yards away from the centerline. Not only did we hear the roar of the engines as the fighters passed us by, but we felt it as well, as they all took off with full afterburners.



After performing their last F-15 left overhead break, the pair of F-15s landed on Runway 8L, and taxied back to the 199th's ramp. The two Eagles (seen above) return to their clamshells after their final HANG training sortie. The top photo shows F-15C 78-0509, piloted by Lt. Col. Jeffrey "Saw" Sage, and the above photo shows F-15C 78-0522, piloted by Lt. Col. Mark "Odie" Ladtkow, taxiing in. Also, both the "HH" tail code, and the "Hawai‘i" tail flash have been painted over. These two Eagles are destined for Nellis AFB, NV.


Upon deplaning, both "Eagle Drivers" were hosed by junior pilots, as a sign of the end of the F-15 era with the HANG. After being hosed, "Odie" and "Saw" posed for photos and interviews by the press, and social media. "Saw's" wife provided the lei for the pilots. They will go on to complete F-22 training with the retirement of the F-15s.

HNL RareBirds extends a warm mahalo to Pacific Air Forces, the Hawai‘i Air National Guard, the 154th Wing, and the 199th Fighter Sqaudron for your service to our country and state, plus allowing us to attend today's event.

USAF F-15E "Gunfighters"

Two USAF F-15E Strike Eagles have been gracing the skies for a few weeks. Ship 90-0254 (c/n 1191/E156) of the 366th Gunbusters based out of Mountain Home AFB, Idaho is seen here returning to Hickam.

HANG's 76-0063

A McDonnell-Douglas F-15A "Eagle", 76-0063 (c/n 0249/A215), of the Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 199th FS was enshrined in the Pacific Aviation Museum, located on Ford Island (in Naval Station Pearl Harbor). The retired fighter was transported via barge, from a dock at neighboring Hickam AFB through Pearl Harbor to Ford Island where it will displayed alongside a retired US Navy Grumman F-14 "Tomcat".

76-0063 is seen above departing Rwy 8L in a photo taken in 2005.

Lost 199th FS Eagle Update

According to an aviation publication, the HANG 199th FS F-15D "Eagle" that ditched near the O‘ahu coastline on 01 Feb 08, was 78-0562 (msn 0456/D002).

Hawai‘i Air National Guard Eagle Ditches

A two-seat McDonnell-Douglas F-15D "Eagle" from the Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 199th FS ditched in the Pacific Ocean 60 miles south of O‘ahu, while on a training mission. Thankfully, the pilot managed to eject safely, and was rescued by a US Coast Guard helicopter. Read more via The Star*Bulletin article link.

An older F-15B two-seat model, 74-0140, is seen above rolling out on Runway 4R after completing a training mission.

Hawai‘i Air National Guard Eagles Grounded

As part of a nationwide stand-down of the USAF F-15A/D fleet, the 199th FS has its F-15s grounded for maintenance reasons. F-16s from the Minnesota Air National Guard's 179th FS "Bulldogs" / 148th FW are filling in for the 199th FS. Here's The Honolulu Advertiser article link.

In the photo above, a 199th FS F-15B, 74-0140, rolls out after landing from a sortie on Runway 4R.

Here's a photo link to the 179th FS "Bulldogs" / 148th FW F-16s filling in.

Armed Forces Day

In 1950, President Harry S. Truman designated the third Saturday in May to be called Armed Forces Day, recognizing those who serve our country. In honor of our men and women fighting to protect our freedoms, today's photo is of a Hawai‘i Air National Guard F-15A "Eagle" (76-0107) from the 199th Fighter Squadron, taking off from HNL's Runway 22L. We thank you for your service and defending our freedoms.