Fighter Wing: A Guided Tour of an Air Force Combat Wing

Tom Clancy, John Gresham Fighter Wing: A Guided Tour of an Air Force Combat Wing

PRAISE FOR FIGHTER WING

'Muscular, full-blooded nonfiction… a compelling read.'

— Edmonton Journal

'Into the wild blue yonder with Clancy as a knowledgeable, even solicitous, escort… Complete with a wealth of line drawings, maps, and photos, verbatim interviews with top Air Force officers, and cogent explanations of high-tech hardware and latter-day doctrine, a most attractive package for armchair air marshals or taxpayers interested in what sort of bangs they're getting for their aviation bucks.'

— Kirkus Reviews

'From jet engines to stealth fighters and smart bombs, there is not much that Tom Clancy doesn't know about U.S. fighter aircraft.'

— NewScientist

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to four members of the 366th Wing, who died while serving with the Wing in 1994.

MAJOR MORTON R. GRAVES III, USAF

(34th Bombardment Squadron)

CAPTAIN JON A. RUPP, USAF

(34th Bombardment Squadron)

CAPTAIN KATHLEEN J. HALE, USAF

(366th Medical Group)

STAFF SERGEANT DON ANTIKAINEN

(389th Fighter Squadron)

They died while serving, without acclaim or fanfare.

Gunfighters, Warriors, and Americans. We just thought that you should know, because their friends, families, and fellow airmen loved them, and miss them. Please love them too, because the noblest of our ideals have always been protected for us by warriors.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thanks to all the people who made this book special. Once again, we start with my partner and researcher, John D. Gresham. His work on this book took him across the country many times, where he had some very interesting experiences. Whether he is talking over the finer points of precision-guided weapons with contractors or having the ride of his life in the back of a fighter, he always brings a special touch to the books of this series. We also have again benefited from the wisdom and efforts of series editor Professor Martin H. Greenberg. Once again, Laura Alpher is to be complimented for her marvelous drawings, which have been such a pleasure to see, and have added so much to these books. Thanks are also due to Craig Kaston, whose photographs appear here for the first time. Tony Koltz, Mike Markowitz, and Chris Carlson again need to be recognized for their outstanding research and editorial support — so critical and timely. Thanks again goes to Cindi Woodrum, Diana Patin, and Roselind Greenberg for their support in backing the rest of us up as we moved toward completion.

A book like this would be impossible to produce without the support of senior service personnel in leadership positions, and this one is no exception. Our first thanks go to Dr. Richard Hallion, the Chief Historian of the Air Force and a longtime friend. He was there at the start with solid advice on the structure of the book, and advice on how to make it all happen. We also have our greatest thanks for two senior USAF officers, General John M. Loh and General Charles A. Horner. Both of these officers, in the sunset of their careers, gave us valuable time and support, and we cannot repay their trust and friendship. Thanks also to Colonel John Warden at the Air Command and Staff College for sharing his special insights with us. Out at Nellis AFB, NV, there was Lieutenant General Tom Griffith, who runs the world's finest air warfare training center. Also at Nellis were Brigadier General Jack Welde, commander of the 57th Wing; Colonel John Frisby of the Adversary Tactics Division; Colonel Bud Bennett, who commands the 554th Range Control Squadron; and Colonel Bentley Rayburn of the USAF Weapons School, who gave us run of their facilities and personnel during our visit. Other notable help at Nellis AFB came from Lieutenant Colonel Steve Anderson, who commands the USAF Thunderbirds; Lieutenant Colonel Steve Ladd, who runs the 549th Joint Training Squadron known as AIR WARRIOR; Major Steve Cutshell in the Nellis Adversary Tactics Shop; and Lieutenant Colonel Ed LaFontaine, who has built the USAF Combat Search and Rescue School. The legendary Blake Morrison and Marty Isham, the team behind USAF Weapons Review, were instrumental in getting the details right. Finally, there were two wonderful young USAF officers: Major Gregory Masters and Captain Rob Evans, who were kind enough to share their personal Gulf War experiences with us.

Another group that was vital to our efforts, less well known but equally important, were the members of the various USAF public affairs offices (PAOs) and protocol organizations that handled our numerous requests for visits and information. Tops on our list were Major Dave Thurston, June Forte, and Carol Rose of the Pentagon PAO. Down at Air Combat Command, Colonel John Miller, Colonel Mike Gallager, and Captains John Tillis, Katie Germain, and Michele DeWerth worked hard to get their story across. Out at Nellis AFB, NV, Major George Sillia made our visit both memorable and livable in the incredible heat of April 1994. Out at the USAF Space Command, Colonel Dave Garner helped get the space story across to us. At the intelligence agencies, there was Jeff Harris and Major Pat Wilkerson at NRO, Linda Miller and Judith Emmel at NSA, and Dwight Williams at DARO. Other helpful PA officers included Lieutenant Colonels Bruce McFadden and Charles Nelson, Major Jim Tynan, Captains Tracy O'Grady and Brett Morris, and Lieutenant Chris Yates. Thanks to you all.

Out at Mountain Home AFB, ID, we had the high honor of living with as fine a group of people as you will ever meet: the personnel of the 366th Wing, The Gunfighters. Our biggest thanks go to the wing commander, Major General (Selectee) David McCloud. This career fighter pilot is a man on the move, and his willingness to share the limited time of his unit in a frantic year was above and beyond the call of duty. In addition, the wing staff deserves some mention. Colonel Robin Scott was always helpful, whether briefing us on wing deployments or the finer points of playing 'Crud.' Lieutenant Colonels Gregg Miller and Rich Tedesco were there to show us the art of ATO building. And the wing PAOs, Captain Christi Dragen and Lieutenant Don Borchelt, were fantastic in their tolerance and patience. We also want to recognize the assistance of the Wings' various squadron commanders: Lieutenant Colonels John Gauhn, Stephen Wood, Larry New, Frank Clawson, Lee Hart, William K. Bass, and Jay Leist. And then there was Lieutenant Colonel Tim Hopper, the commander of the Wings' 34th Bombardment Squadron. Tim is one of the awesome young combat leaders in the Air Force today, and he tolerated having us there to see the best and the worst of his career, and still kept on going. God bless Tim, because the nation needs officers like him. Another