The 58th Fighter Squadron is stationed at Eglin AFB, FLorida. In 1979, the 58th
Fighter Squadron became the first squadron in the 33d Tactical Fighter Wing
to receive the F-15 Eagle. The 58th proved the war fighting capability of
the F-15 during its deployment to Germany
for exercise Coronet Eagle. During the exercise, the 58th utilized 18 F-15s
to fly 1001 sorties in less than three weeks. The unit repeated this
deployment in 1982 utilizing 24 F-15s making it the first full F-15
deployment in history. Ten years later, the 58th participated in Operation
Just Cause where forces successfully removed Panamanian dictator Manuel
Noriega from power in Panama.
The 58th was once
again called upon to prove its mettle in August of 1990 when Saddam Hussein
invaded the tiny country of Kuwait. Twenty-four F-15s under the command of
Colonel Rick Parsons departed Eglin Air Force Base for King Faisal Air Base,
Saudi Arabia as part of the build up of coalition forces in Operations
Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In the early morning hours of January 17, 1991, Operation Desert Storm commenced. Captain John J.B.
Kelk claimed the first aerial victory by downing the first MiG-29. As the
war progressed, the 58th flew 1,689 combat sorties and destroyed 15 other
enemy aircraft. During the course of the war, the 58th accomplished feats
that no other coalition member matched including: the most air-to-air kills,
the most double kills, and the most sorties and hours flown by any F-15 unit
in theater. The 58th also destroyed the most MiG-29s (a total of five) and
had the only wing commander who had an air-to-air victory.
Some recent
accomplishments of the 58th include: the first fighter squadron to bring the
AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile) into full
operation, numerous rotations to the Saudi Arabian theater supporting
Operation Southern Watch by patrolling the no-fly zone, and participation in
Operation Uphold Democracy where the United States helped bring control back
to Haiti.
During its scheduled
rotation as part of Operation Southern Watch in 1996, tragedy struck the
58th Fighter Squadron. On June 25, one day before their scheduled departure,
a terrorist bomb ripped through the Khobar Towers complex that housed
squadron personnel. When the dust cleared, nineteen U.S. personnel lay dead,
twelve of which were members of the 33d Fighter Wing.
Currently, the 58th
Fighter Squadron operates 27 F-15C/D Eagles and continues to support the
various theater Commander-in Chiefs by providing air superiority to all who
call upon its service.
Eglin's 'Mighty Gorillas' own the skies
by Noel Getlin
Team Eglin Public Affairs
2/20/2009 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Pilots
stationed at Eglin fly a number of aircraft under three different wings. All
have different missions, education and training, and therefore different
approaches to flying. In this three-part series, we will examine the pilots
of Eglin and what their unique missions bring to U.S. air superiority.
The 58th Fighter Squadron's "Mighty Gorillas" don't wait for the fight to
come to them; they go to the fight.
However, the combat pilots say the process of "getting there" is not nearly
as important as what they do when they get there. That's because the primary
mission of the squadron is air-to-air combat.
(photo above)Maj. Tony
Cartwright, chief instructor pilot and weapons officer for the 58th Fighter
Squadron, prepares for flight in an F-15C. The 33rd Fighter Wing’s fighter
pilots fly F-15C Eagles in air-to-air combat. (U.S. Air Force photo/Noel
Getlin)
"Very little is about the take off, the landing and the how we are going to
get there," said Maj. Tony Cartwright, chief instructor pilot and weapons
officer of the 58th FS. "We spend a lot of time thinking about how we are
going to employ (or fight)."
Because their day-to-day flying mission is purely air-to-air combat, they
find themselves in a unique position since the Global War on Terrorism
currently doesn't have an airborne threat. Still, the squadron is a rapidly
deployable combat unit and the pilots are always prepared to answer their
nation's call. Often, this call comes from Northern American Aerospace
Defense Command requesting immediate support for an Operation Noble Eagle
tasking.
"We are always prepared to deploy as a squadron," said Capt. Vaimana Conner,
electronic combat officer. "Our current mission priority is ONE. Since
December, we've been flying combat air patrols protecting the president and
ensuring air space is safe for space shuttle launches."
The Gorillas are the only flying squadron at Eglin that deploys as a unit.
"Usually, when the 58th has deployed, 80 percent of the people and jets go
to one site and fly missions based on the conflict or whatever we're tasked
to do," Captain Conner said.
(photo left) Capt. Michael Reilly, 58th
Fighter Squadron C Flight commander, and Maj. Tony Cartwright, chief
instructor pilot and weapons officer for the 58th FS, walk out to the jets
on the runway ramp. The 33rd Fighter Wing’s fighter pilots fly F-15C Eagles
in air-to-air combat. (U.S. Air Force photo/Noel Getlin)
While they haven't participated in air-to-air combat overseas recently, they
are still making an impact.
"In the area of responsibility, freedom of movement cannot be done without
air superiority," said Major Cartwright. "If you do not dominate the skies,
you cannot move UAVs and other things as freely as we do over there."
"The supreme success of any armed force is to cause an adversary to behave
according to our own designs without having to fire a shot," added C Flight
Commander Capt. Michael Reilly, paraphrasing military strategist Sun Tzu.
"Any time we say, 'we'll be there in two weeks,' and they bury their fighter
jets under 60 feet of sand, we've accomplished our mission."
To have that kind of bearing, credibility is critical and the squadron
constantly trains for the next air-to-air threat.
The pilots train by swapping roles as good guys and bad guys in unit
training missions and they analyze adversary aircraft tactics, weaponry and
maneuvering characteristics. Whenever possible, they participate in
dissimilar air combat training. The 33rd Fighter Wing pilots will
alternately fly training missions with the 53rd Wing F-15s and F-16s and
Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., F-15s and F-22s. Occasionally, they fly with
other airframes from visiting U.S. and foreign units, including the Royal
Air Force's Tornado F-3 and the Canadian F-18s.
The single-seat, F-15C Eagle is the lethal tool of the 33rd FW. The jet can
reach speeds in excess of 1,875 mph or Mach 2 and is known to have
"unprecedented maneuverability," according to U.S. Air Force fact sheets.
The jet can pull nine Gs, which is the effect the body experiences with the
force of acceleration and gravity. When pilots experience high G forces,
blood can rush from their head to their feet, causing tunnel vision and in
some cases loss of consciousness. In order to oppose the physiological
effects, pilots wear G suits, but they must also be in peak physical
condition.
"It's managing what's happening at the speeds and the physical rigors of
(combat flying) that defines what we do," said Memphis, Tenn., native Major
Cartwright.
Despite the fact that the fighter jets they fly are older than most of the
pilots (they were built in 1978 to 1983), they have a true affection for the
airframe.
"The F-15 is old and it doesn't have a glass cockpit (computerized
displays), but it's the best at what it does," said Maj. Cartwright. "It's
been in combat 104 times and it's never lost."
Captain Conner said the newer computerized color displays are nice, but the
old steam gauges work just fine because you can essentially fly the F-15C by
feel.
"This jet will talk to you," added Major Cartwright. "When you ask it to do
something, if it can do it, it will. If it can't, it will try. You don't
even have to look inside (at the displays) to know what it's doing ...
because you feel everything she's doing. It's good at what it does without
having all the fancy stuff."
All the fighter pilots are highly competitive; something they say is a
necessity for the job. They compete for jobs, position in formations and
upgrades.
"Being a fighter pilot is nonstop competition," said Major Cartwright. "You
know you are going to compete every time you do something."
(photo above) Maj. Tony Cartwright, chief
instructor pilot and weapons officer for the 58th Fighter Squadron,
discusses air maneuvers in a debriefing room as Capt. Michael Reilly, 58th
FS C Flight commander, listens. The 33rd Fighter Wing’s fighter pilots fly
F-15C Eagles in air-to-air combat. (U.S. Air Force photo/Noel Getlin)
It begins when the pilot shows up at a new wing
where they automatically begin on the bottom rung as a wingman. The flight
instructors and director of operations decide when and if the pilot has
progressed enough to be upgraded to a two-ship flight lead, then a four-ship
flight lead (who can lead the standard F-15 employment formation into
combat), and finally mission commander, who can lead eight to 12 Eagles in a
stand-alone or integrated combat mission. At the top of the flying hierarchy
are the instructor pilots, many of whom have been to the U.S. Air Force
Weapons School.
"Upgrades are by competitive selection," said Captain Conner. "It's a rite
of passage. And there's no guarantee you are ever going to be upgraded."
But the fighter pilot hierarchy is separate from the command structure,
making for an unusual dichotomy.
"The dynamics are unique because you can have someone of higher rank who is
not as high in the hierarchy," Major Cartwright said, who has 1,200 flying
hours.
There are other day-to-day duties to fulfill in squadron in addition to the
flying missions. Pilots also take on the role of safety officer, scheduler,
weapons officer, director of operations and flight commander, just to name a
few. When it all comes down to it, actual flying time is just a small - but
extremely important - part of their actual duties.
"I would call a 50- to 60-hour work week a light week for us," said Captain
Reilly, a native of Trenton, N.J.
For each mission, there's mission planning, equipment checks and extensive
discussion afterward in debriefings. This is where they review three tapes
that record the Head's Up Display (HUD), radar scope and tactical situation
display. They also carry a telemetry pod that records the aircraft's exact
position and altitude throughout the mission for review after the flight.
The pilots can spend up to a half hour discussing a maneuver that took only
seconds to perform.
"For the operational guys, they'll talk about it before the mission and when
they get back," said Major Cartwright. "The debrief is intensive. It's like
being in a constant scrimmage. Every time you get to look at the tapes, you
see something you could have done better."
Now that the 33rd FW is drawing down and transitioning to a Joint Strike
Fighter training wing, the pilots once again find themselves competing for
positions in fighter aircraft. Capt. Conner will be flying the F-22 but
Cartwright and Reilly are still awaiting their fate. Of course, both are
seeking a spot in a fighter squadron.
"The best part of being a fighter pilot is every day is a different
challenge," said Major Cartwright.
"As far as having a fun job, this is the perfect combination of intellect
and athleticism," said Captain Reilly. "You've really got to be on top of
your game at both of these to be successful."
Mighty Gorillas meet, say good-bye to Eagle
by Chrissy Cuttita
Team Eglin Public Affairs
6/22/2009 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- During a week-long 58th
Fighter Squadron reunion June 14-20, past and present pilots recounted
stories of the good 'ol days and shared the disheartening but mission
essential fact that 30 years of F-15 Eagle driving will become history
this year.
"This reunion is important to the 58th FS because we close our door to
the operational world and become a training squadron," said Capt. Brent
Curtis, pilot and reunion event coordinator. "We have some of the
greatest heritage of any fighter squadron post World War II, and
arguably the greatest successes as an air to air squadron in the Gulf
War."
There to reminisce on the successful aerial victories were some of the
squadron's infamous "MiG killers." One pilot in particular, retired Col.
Cesar Rodriquez, a 26 year veteran, is well known for three air-to-air
kills (two over Iraq in 1991 and one over Kosovo) were the most of any
American fighter pilot on active duty.
Fifteen of the last 20
pilots left at the 58th Fighter Squadron pose for a photo in front of an
F-15 during their reunion June 18 at Eglin Air Force Base. The week-long
celebration gave past and present squadron members an opportunity to
participate in social activities and reminice about their history while also
saying good bye to 30 years of flying the F-15 as they transition to the
F-35.(U.S. Air Force photo/ Chrissy Cuttita.)
"There's a unique relationship with young
fighter pilots to be the best and to live up to tradition," the retired
colonel said. "We knew the squadron history and knew of those who gave
blood to make (squadron) colors stand high and proud."
Activated as the 58th Pursuit Squadron as part of the 33rd Pursuit Group
stationed at Mitchel Field, N.Y., the squadron was charged with the
ongoing mission of aerial defense of the United States. When the United
States entered World War II, the 58th took an active role in the war
effort by participating in several operations during a three year
overseas tour. During combat operations in the Mediterranean from
November 1942 to February 1944, the squadron earned the nickname
"Gorillas" for the guerrilla warfare-like techniques it utilized.
That name is still on their patch today and on the 58th Aircraft
Maintenance unit banner "When Gorillas fly, MiGs die." The first aerial
shot at a MiG happened in the 1970s when the squadron was part of the
then named 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Eglin. At that time three
operational flying squadrons were a part of the wing and they flew and
maintained F-4 Phantoms until transitioning to the F-15 by 1979.
"It was a special time. I'm really proud all our weapons officers ended
up as MiG killers, as it should be, and three of four flight commanders
ended up as MiG killers, as it should be," said retired Col. Rich Hardy,
33rd FW vice wing commander 1988-1991 and Gorilla F-4 pilot 1979-1981.
"We did it all with one squadron and never took a scratch."
Even though he witnessed the first transition from Phantom to Eagle, the
colonel said "the F-15 was the biggest and baddest of them all and to
see it go doesn't seem possible."
Green stars circled around the squadron patch on their building and MiG
killing aircraft mark the aerial victories achieved by the squadron.
"We had 16 kills in Desert Storm, the most of any fighter squadron in
the Air Force. Gorillas lead the way in air superiority," said Lt. Col.
Mark O'Laughlin, 58th FS commander.
Retired Colonel Rodriquez remembers the 58th FS as 38 type-A bulls in a
pen.
"The alpha male had to be the mission," he said was the thing that
bonded the competitive pilots into the family they became and the
camaraderie they shared. "The focus 'don't be here for yourself but for
the mission' is what I learned here."
Gorilla family, retired, active, spouse and children, were welcomed to
an open house June 18 where they reunited and toured the facilities that
will soon transition into a new Joint Strike Fighter training facility
at the 33rd Fighter Wing. Past and present wing personnel, known as
Nomads, had the same opportunity recently at a May wing reunion.
While the gathering last month was unique with the last F-15 West Coast
Demo Team flight, the 58th FS was unique with its retirement ceremony
for a well known Nomad warrior, Col. Scott Maw, who served at the wing
first as a young lieutenant 1989-1992 and returned in 2006 to command
the 33rd Operations Group. In 2008 he began a year-long tour in Iraq as
a U.S. director of strategic communication, making him a key
spokesperson for the military for worldwide media outlets.
Appropriately said at the ceremony was that the first assignment in the
pilot community will always have significant impact on their career.
Even retired Colonel Rodriquez echoed this - although his career started
with A-10s, he remembers his first F-15 assignment at the 58th FS being
especially memorable in becoming an Air Force leader and now civilian
contractor.
"I feel like my fingerprint is on the past and present," he said. "The
F-35 will have its place in tomorrow's battle space."
To the fighter pilots who shared "there I was" stories of day to day
sorties and combat missions, real and exercised, over the years, the
reunion signified an end to the combat readiness of the 58th Fighter
Squadron. There are only 10 aircraft left at the wing and the only
flying opportunities left will mainly consist of moving them to other
bases before October. Additionally they'll keep up approximately eight
daily sorties a day while they can to prepare pilots headed to the Air
Force fighter weapons school at Nellis AFB, Nev.
"This reunion is a great time to celebrate, though it's sad to go," said
Colonel O'Laughlin who will be the deputy of the 46th Operations Group
here in his next assignment.
None of the people involved with this farewell will remain as personnel
at the new Air Force F-35 training center this fall but they may be
invited back for a future reunion as the wing and squadron names are
planned to remain the same, continuing the Nomad legacy into the future.
