181st Fighter Wing

HOME ARTICLES BOOKS CONTACT LINKS


			181st Fighter Wing Indiana Air National Guard The Racers!!!

		Returning to its homebase at Hulman Field, Terre Haute, Indiana, is F-16C 86-0258. The 181st Fighter Wing has been flying the F-16 at Hulman Field since 1991.

Since its inception at Kokomo, Indiana, in 1923, the 181st Fighter Wing has undergone many changes to become the highly-experienced Fighter Wing it is today. Originally equipped with the Curtis "Jenny" biplane in 1921, the 181st Tactical Fighter Wing entered the jet-age in 1955 when they received the F-80C, then entered the "modern" age beginning in the spring of 1991, when the unit found itself converting from the F-4E Phantom to the F-16C.

The first F-16Cs, block 25 machines arriving from Hahn AB, Germany, were used in the multi-purpose role up until the Summer of 1995, when the first block 30 F-16Cs began to arrive. Equipped with the much more powerful General Electric F110-GE-100 turbofan engine and vastly improved avionics, the block 30s have proven to be much more capable than their predecessors, and the 181st Fighter Wing has the record to prove it. They have deployed to regions spanning the globe, including combat deployments to Kuwait, Bahrain, Turkey, and other Middle Eastern regions multiple times to participate in Operation Provide Comfort II, Operation Northern Watch, and Operation Southern Watch.

During one such deployment to Incirlik AB, Turkey, in support of Operation Northern Watch in 2002, the F-16s of the 181FW were involved in the destruction of several Iraqi SAM sites which had threatened coalition aircraft. Several aircraft carry the silhouette of a SAM battery beneath their canopy as a reminder of their participation. During their last deployment to Incirlik AB, Turkey, mere weeks before Operation Iraqi Freedom began in the spring of 2003, the 181st Fighter Wing was told they could not participate in OIF due to political problems encountered with the Turkish government, who were skittish about allowing US warplanes to launch combat missions from their soil. Forced to sit on the sidelines during the campaign to oust Saddam Hussein from power, the 181FW returned home to Indiana, and were one of the last units to ever fly an Operation Northern Watch mission.

Most recently, the 181st Fighter Wing has completed a deployment to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, in an effort to strengthen the Air Force's Total Force Integration. Sending twelve F-16s and three hundred fifty personnel, they became the first Air National Guard squadron to ever deploy to the Pacific Air Force (PACAF) region, while the F-15s normally based at Kadena rotated into the war on terrorism. The "Hoosier" F-16s made the most of the opportunity, flying over 200 sorties in the Western Pacific, providing realistic training not readily-available while at home in Indiana. However, the deployment was marred by the announcement in late-August, 2005, that the Base Realignment And Closures (BRAC) committee has chosen the 181st Fighter Wing as one of many within the ANG to lose their flying assignments within the next few years. As of now, specific details are still being decided, but, in the meantime, the 181st Fighter Wing is still at home, ready to answer the call when needed. Racer Performance with Racer Style!

	(left) 85-1557 departing Hulman Field on a morning training mission in August, 2005
		(right) 85-1500 is suitably marked as the 181FW flagship, complete with "INDY 500" markings on its tail. Although the boarding ladder blocks it in this photo, this aircraft carries a SAM kill marking beneath the cockpit.

	(left) The only two-seater assigned, F-16D 85-1511 bears down the Terre Haute runway in July, 2004.
		(right) 85-1544 serves as the 113FS flagship, and is seen here returning home in June, 2005.

	(left) 85-1567 moments from touchdown in June, 2005.
		(right) In the spring of 2005, 2 ALQ-188 ECM pods were received. Both pods can be seen here on a 2-ship departing.

	(left) 85-1436 awaiting its pilot on a glorious September afternoon, 2004.
		(right) Lots of heat and noise, as 85-1428 blasts off to drop bombs on the range.

		(left) A 4-ship of Vipers lined-up and ready.
			(right) 85-1552 heads a line-up of 181FW Vipers on the flightline, September, 2004.

May 17, 2004

Tragedy struck the 181st Fighter Wing when two F-16Cs collided in mid-air over western Indiana. Major William Burchett and Major Thomas Sims were part of a package of four F-16s on a routine training mission when their aircraft collided. Major Sims was able to safely eject, but, sadly, Major Burchett was killed in the accident. The 181st Fighter Wing has since been able to recover from the tragedy and continue with their mission. I'm sure I can speak for the people in the Wing when I say that Major Burchett will be deeply missed and never forgotten.

	(left) F-16C 85-1555 on the ramp at Hulman Field on March 11, 2004. Major Burchett was in this aircraft. A SAM kill marking can be seen just beneath the canopy, earned during an Operation Northern Watch sortie in 2001.
		(right) The other F-16 involved was 86-0260, piloted by Major Sims, also photographed on March 11, 2004. My escort during this visit was TSgt. Dave Cook, the crewchief on this particular Viper.

85-1500 "Indy 500"

In May 2006, the 181st Fighter Wing repainted 85-1500 in a scheme to celebrate the unit's involvement with the Indianapolis 500 race held each year. The unit has graciously given many race car drivers orientation flights in the Viper, as well as performed fly-bys during the opening ceremonies at the event. The jet was unveiled on May 5, 2006, and looks incredible. The jet's crewchief, Leon Keys, played a major role in getting "his" jet looking this good.

I would like to thank TSgt. Dave Cook, SSgt. Mike Long, LtCol. John "JR" Newman, "Coma", and the entire 181st Fighter Wing, for their valuable time in helping me with this project. No effort was spared in making sure I got exactly the shots I needed, nor any time spared in escorting me around the flightline, hangars, and EOR on my multiple visits. Thanks, guys!!! You are the best!

HOME ARTICLES BOOKS CONTACT LINKS