LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The last two operational F-15 Eagles soared out of Langley's air space, destined for Portland, Ore., Sept. 1 as the historic Ironman squadron is scheduled to be inactivated Sept. 30.
The 71st Fighter Squadron, also referred to as the Ironmen, generated over 4,000 sorties and logged over 5,400 flight hours annually, while Langley Airmen were flying, repairing, fueling, and prepping the jets for every sortie.
Col. Matt Molloy, 1st Fighter Wing commander said the inactivation of the 71 FS means a lot of things to the 1 FW, but most importantly it means the end of a legacy.
"When the last wheels of the venerable Eagle leave the tarmac, it takes with it 34 years of airpower and an overwhelming record of 104 enemy fighters destroyed to zero F-15s lost," said Colonel Molloy. "Without a doubt, the F-15s of Langley Air Force Base have left little question as to which aircraft is the combat proven, preeminent air superiority fighter."
The F-15 aircraft are being sent to active duty bases within the United States, overseas and National Guard Bases. Like the aircraft, the majority of the pilots and maintenance personnel are being allocated to various bases.
"It's pretty somber for all the personnel in the 71st," said Maj. Greg Voelkel, 71 FS director of operations. "The 71st has a great history. Everyone is pretty proud to serve and be part of the squadron."
Reassignment teams have come to Langley in order to place Airmen in locations where their expertise could best be utilized.
"The last couple of weeks we've been working with an assignment team, the team was here yesterday and today," said Chief Master Sgt. Carlos Taylor, 71st Aircraft Maintenance Unit superintendent. "We have a few guys that will stay here and work on the Raptors at Langley, but 90 percent have been reassigned to stateside bases."
Not only are the AMU Airmen being reassigned, but the majority of the pilots have been given new assignments as well.
"Of the more than 30 pilots with the 71 FS, seven will return to Langley to fly the F-22 Raptor after a three month spin up course at Tyndall," said Major Voelkel.
Typically Airmen will not stay with a particular assignment throughout their military career, he added. Airmen leaving Langley will be assigned to different missions, such as becoming a liaison officer, or pilot training instructor. Major Voelkel said the biggest difference is it's happening as all at once due to the inactivation.
"With the departure of the F-15s, the air superiority torch will be passed to the next generation of Air Force aircraft, the mighty F-22 Raptor," said Colonel Molloy. "It is understood that the F-22 is still unproven in actual combat, but all indicators from our local training sorties to the Air Expeditionary Force deployments point to phenomenal potential. The 1 FW stands ready to employ this aircraft in the same 'first and finest' standard as the F-15 Eagle. Until such time, the F-15 will remain the watchful champion from either afar or in fighting formation, and will reluctantly hand over the title to the F-22 with a simple 'job well done.'"