2009 Articles

"Nomads" Say Goodbye to the Eagle One of the USAF’s best known fighter units is in the process of trading in its F-15 Eagles, in preparation for a new role as the training unit for the new Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, bringing to an end more than 30 years of Eagle operations. Paul Dunn reports for GAR.

Based at Eglin AFB, Florida, the 33rd TFW “Nomads” first received the McDonnell Douglas F-15A Eagle in 1978, as one of the early operators of this advanced air superiority fighter. Previously the unit had been a long term operator of the F-4 Phantom. Over the course of the next 30 years, the Wing distinguished itself in operations throughout the world, with Nomads pilots gaining a total of 16 aerial victories during the course of Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

Until recently, the 33rd FW was made up of two fighter squadrons, the 58th FS “Gorillas” and the 60th FS “Fighting Crows”, operating a total of 52 F-15C Eagles in the air superiority role. This number has dwindled over the last couple of months, with aircraft being flown to the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) at Davis Monthan AFB for storage and eventual disposal.

Due to fly the last aircraft out of Eglin AFB on the 8th Sept, Col Todd Harmer has commanded the Nomads since January 2008. "It's bittersweet knowing that once I'm airborne, it's the end of the Eagle's 30-year association with the 33rd Fighter Wing, and the ramp will sit empty until the F-35s arrive next year," he said. "Commanding the Nomads has been an honor and I'm proud to have been a part of a unit with such an incredible record including MiG kills in Desert Storm to sorties supporting Operation Noble Eagle. The professionalism of our Airmen, our proud heritage and reputation will surely follow through in each Nomad's career."

The 33rd FW will shortly transfer from Air Combat Command (ACC) to Air Education and Training Command, in preparation for the arrival of the first F-35A Lightning II, scheduled for 2010. Known during development as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), the F-35 will be operated by the USAF, USN and USMC, along with several overseas nations. The USAF version is the F-35A, a conventional take off and landing aircraft which will replace the F-16 Fighting Falcon and operate alongside the similar, but larger Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor.

Offering stealthy characteristics and advanced mission avionics, the F-35 will offer many improvements and advantages over the F-16, and is due to serve in substantial numbers. The 33rd FW will be responsible for training new F-35 pilots, and will be the first USAF unit to receive the jet next year. Eventually, potential F-35 pilots from the US and overseas partner nations will undergo training at Eglin, maintaining the history and traditions of this distinguished unit. Col Harmer added "As we pass the torch from Air Combat Command to Air Education and Training Command Oct. 1, every pilot who flies the F-35 Lightning II, whether an American or a coalition partner, will carry on the Nomad tradition."

GAR would like to acknowledge the assistance of Team Eglin Public Affairs in producing this article. GAR wants to interact with its readers so if you have a question for the author or a comment to make on this feature, please click on the button below. The best comments will appear right here on GAR.