Strike Eagle Extreme; Nearly 70 F-15Es take to sky
17 Apr 2012
by Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
4/17/2012 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE, N.C. -- Airmen from the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., came together to honor their heritage by launching nearly 70 F-15E Strike Eagles in a Turkey Shoot training mission April 16.
The nearly 70 Strike Eagles taxied one after the next simultaneously down the base flightline before heading to bombing ranges across North Carolina to destroy more than 1,000 targets. The purpose of this mass launch was two-fold.
"This F-15E Strike package and Turkey Shoot honored the excellence and sacrifices of our Wing's past while 'flexing' 4th FW airpower today, sharpening our warfighting spirit and skills as we look toward the future," said Col. Patrick Doherty, 4th FW commander.
The term Turkey Shoot dates back to a mission that took place June 19, 1944 during World War II.
On this day U.S. Navy carrier aircraft downed 373 Japanese planes with the loss of only 23 American planes," said Dr. Roy Heidicker, 4th FW historian. A Navy pilot who participated in this mission was attributed as saying, "It was like a turkey shoot" and the term stuck.
Toward the end of WWII the greatest challenge in Europe for the 8th Air Force was destroying a Luftwaffe that refused to take to the air. One of the 4th FG's most notorious missions during WWII was also its final major mission. The group's Airmen were tasked to take out the Luftwaffe or German air force. In two airfield attacks the group's aviators destroyed 105 enemy aircraft April 15, 1945.
"While 'A' Group attacked airfields in the region of Prague, 'B' Group, devastated the Luftwaffe base at Gablingen in 40 minutes of continuous strafing," Heidicker said. "That same day other 8th Air Force fighter groups attacked Luftwaffe airfields all over Germany, claiming a total of 752 aircraft destroyed. The Luftwaffe never recovered from this terrible and devastating blow."
During World War II competition began between the 4th and 56th Fighter Groups to see what unit could destroy the most enemy aircraft. The 4th FG finished the war with 1,016 aircraft destroyed and the 56th FG's final tally was 1,006. While supporting the war effort the 4th FG destroyed more enemy aircraft than any group or wing in Air Force history.
"We proudly carry on the legacy of the 4th FG's victories, as well as those of the wing's Korean, Vietnam, Gulf War efforts and believe it is critically important that current and future generations of Airmen understand and celebrate our history, so they can visualize what they will be capable of doing in the future," Doherty said.
A wide variety of Airmen from multiple Air Force specialties ranging from ammo to radar approach control technicians came together to ensure the aircraft launched safely.
"The entire Seymour team of professionals and dedicated Airmen, along with our phenomenal community, pitched in to make this effort a great success," Doherty said.
2024
9 February 2024 | MILAVIA News
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A new nine-aircraft show is part of plans for the milestone season, featuring manoeuvres not seen for a generation in the Red Arrows’ display routine, which changes each year.
Also announced today is a five-week overseas tour by the team, staged later this summer, to help mark the centennial of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
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2021
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2020
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