News>Strike Eagle Extreme; Nearly 70 F-15Es take to sky
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F-15E Strike Eagles of the 4th Fighter Wing perform an "Elephant Walk" as they taxi down the runway during a Turkey Shoot training mission on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., April 16, 2012. The wing generated nearly 70 aircraft to destroy more than 1,000 targets on bombing ranges across the state to commemorate the 4th's victory over the Luftwaffe on April 16, 1945. The aircrews are assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing's 333rd, 334th, 335th, and 336th Fighter Squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Rissmiller/Released)
F-15E Strike Eagles of the 4th Fighter Wing perform an "Elephant Walk" as they taxi down the runway during a Turkey Shoot training mission on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., April 16, 2012. The wing generated nearly 70 aircraft to destroy more than 1,000 targets on bombing ranges across the state to commemorate the 4th's victory over the Luftwaffe on April 16, 1945. The aircrews are assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing's 333rd, 334th, 335th, and 336th Fighter Squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Rissmiller/Released)
F-15E Strike Eagles of the 4th Fighter Wing perform an "Elephant Walk" as they taxi down the runway during a Turkey Shoot training mission on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., April 16, 2012. The wing generated nearly 70 aircraft to destroy more than 1,000 targets on bombing ranges across the state to commemorate the 4th's victory over the Luftwaffe on April 16, 1945. The aircrews are assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing's 333rd, 334th, 335th, and 336th Fighter Squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho/Released)
F-15E Strike Eagles of the 4th Fighter Wing perform an "Elephant Walk" as they taxi down the runway during a Turkey Shoot training mission on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., April 16, 2012. The wing generated nearly 70 aircraft to destroy more than 1,000 targets on bombing ranges across the state to commemorate the 4th’s victory over the Luftwaffe on April 16, 1945. The aircrews are assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing’s 333rd, 334th, 335th, and 336th Fighter Squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Gino Reyes/Released)
U.S. Air Force Col. Patrick Doherty reviews aircraft logs during a pre-flight inspection on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., April 16, 2012. Doherty led a training mission which involved nearly 70 F-15E Strike Eagles taking to the sky to destroy more than 1,000 targets on bombing ranges across the state to commemorate the 4th’s victory over the Luftwaffe on April 16, 1945. The aircrews are assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing’s 333rd, 334th, 335th, and 336th Fighter Squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson/Released)
U.S. Air Force Col. Patrick Doherty answers questions for News 14 Carolina during a media interview prior to taking off for a “Turkey Shoot” training mission on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., April 16, 2012. The term "Turkey Shoot" dates back to a mission that took place June 19, 1944 during World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson/Released)
F-15E Strike Eagles of the 4th Fighter Wing perform an "Elephant Walk" as they taxi down the runway during a Turkey Shoot training mission on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., April 16, 2012. The wing generated nearly 70 aircraft to destroy more than 1,000 targets on bombing ranges across the state to commemorate the 4th's victory over the Luftwaffe on April 16, 1945. The aircrews are assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing's 333rd, 334th, 335th, and 336th Fighter Squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Colette Graham/Released)
A F-15E Strike Eagle takes off as another F-15E taxi's during a "Turkey Shoot" training mission on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., April 16, 2012. The term "Turkey Shoot" dates back to a mission that took place June 19, 1944 during World War II. The aircrews are assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing's 333rd, 334th, 335th, and 336th Fighter Squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Colette Graham/Released)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Amanda Kobel waits to perform a pre-flight inspection on an F-15E Strike Eagle during a “Turkey Shoot” training mission on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., April 16, 2012. The wing generated nearly 70 aircraft to destroy more than 1,000 targets on bombing ranges across the state to commemorate the 4th’s victory over the Luftwaffe on April 16, 1945. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Makenzie Lang/Released)
Maintainers from the 333rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit perform a pre-flight inspection on an F-15E Strike Eagle during a "Turkey Shoot" training mission on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., April 16, 2012. The wing generated nearly 70 aircraft to destroy more than 1,000 targets on bombing ranges across the state to commemorate the 4th’s victory over the Luftwaffe on April 16, 1945. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Makenzie Lang/Released)
F-15E Strike Eagles of the 4th Fighter Wing perform an "Elephant Walk" as they taxi down the runway during a Turkey Shoot training mission on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., April 16, 2012. The wing generated nearly 70 aircraft to destroy more than 1,000 targets on bombing ranges across the state to commemorate the 4th’s victory over the Luftwaffe on April 16, 1945. The aircrews are assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing’s 333rd, 334th, 335th, and 336th Fighter Squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Makenzie Lang/Released)
An F-15E Strike Eagle takes off during a “Turkey Shoot” training mission on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., April 16, 2012. The term "Turkey Shoot" dates back to a mission that took place June 19, 1944 during World War II. The aircrews are assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing’s 333rd, 334th, 335th, and 336th Fighter Squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Makenzie Lang/Released)
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 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.
Comments
4/22/2012 4:04:08 PM ET From 74 year old ancient F-89 BackseaterTerrificThis is the reason I sleep so well.Hearty Congratulations to all involved
buck williams, st petersburg fl
4/22/2012 1:10:47 PM ET Nearly 70 So exactly how many Strike Eagles were launched
Disregard, OCONUS
4/19/2012 7:27:34 AM ET Thanks for sharing this story. Nothing beats seeing a huge flock of Eagles together What an amazing effort to pull this off
