the contrail staff

17 Pages·2015·5.59 MB·English

On the cover: A Bulgarian air force MiG-29 Fulcrum taxis back to the ramp
at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, during Thracian Star on July 15, 2015.
Airmen and F-16s from the 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey Air
National Guard flew sorties with the Bulgarian air force at Thracian Star, a
bilateral training exercise designed to enhance interoperability. (U.S. Air
National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Andrew J. Moseley/Released)
JULY 2015, VOL. 49 NO. 7
THE CONTRAIL STAFF

177TH FW COMMANDER COL. JOHN R. DiDONNA
CHIEF, PUBLIC AFFAIRS CAPT. AMANDA BATIZ
PUBLIC AFFAIRS SUPERINTENDENT MASTER SGT. ANDREW J. MOSELEY
PHOTOJOURNALIST TECH. SGT. ANDREW J. MERLOCK
EDITOR/PHOTOJOURNALIST SENIOR AIRMAN SHANE S. KARP
EDITOR/PHOTOJOURNALIST AIRMAN 1st CLASS AMBER POWELL
AVIATION HISTORIAN DR. RICHARD PORCELLI

WWW.177FW.ANG.AF.MIL

This funded newspaper is an authorized monthly publication for members of the U.S. Military Services. Contents of The Contrail are not
necessarily the official view of, or endorsed by, the 177th Fighter Wing, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Depart- On desktop computers, click For back issues of The Contrail,
ment of the Air Force. The editorial content is edited, prepared, and provided by the Public Affairs Office of the 177th Fighter Wing. All Ctrl+L for full screen. On mobile, and other multimedia products
photographs are Air Force photographs unless otherwise indicated. tablet, or touch screen device, from the 177th Fighter Wing,
tap or swipe to flip the page. please visit us at DVIDS!
Story and photos by Master Sgt. Andrew Moseley
A U.S. Air Force F-16D Fighting Falcon from the New Jersey Air National Guard's 177th
Fighter Wing retracts its landing gear after takeoff at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, during
Thracian Star on July 15, 2015. Bulgarian air force MiG-29 pilot Capt. Ivan Dinkov
experienced the performance of the aircraft from the back seat during a familiarization flight.
A Bulgarian air force MiG-29 Fulcrum taxis after landing at Graf
Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, during Thracian Star on July 13, 2015.
Approximately 150 Airmen and eight F-16s from the 177th Fighter Flying training deployments are tremendous opportunities for the
Top: U.S. Air Force Chief
Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard traveled overseas to 177th aircrews to hone their operational skills from a forward
Master Sgt. Jason
participate in Thracian Star 2015, a Bulgarian-led multi-national operating location. Gioconda, aircrew flight
training exercise at Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base, Bulgaria, from equipment superintendent
"The 119th Fighter Squadron is excited to participate in Thracian
with the 177th Fighter
13-24, July.
Star and it is a great opportunity for us to interact with our Wing of the New Jersey Air
Thracian Star is a bilateral, total force training event to enhance Bulgarian counterparts, train with them and show them how flying National Guard, goes over
interoperability with the Bulgarian air force and to bolster with them will strengthen our NATO alliance," said Lt. Col. Timothy egress procedures with
Bulgarian air force MiG-29
readiness to conduct combined air operations. Hassel, 119th Fighter Squadron commander.
pilot Capt. Martin Vetov
"I'm very happy that the representatives of the New Jersey Air "We came over here primarily to do air-to-air training in basic prior to his familiarization
National Guard are here," said Bulgarian air force Brig. Gen. Ivan fighting maneuvers and tactical intercepts," said Hassel. "With flight in an F-16D Fighting
Falcon at Graf Ignatievo Air
Lalov, Graf Ignatievo Air Base commander. "It is always beneficial their aircraft being former Soviet Union designed aircraft, it will
Base, Bulgaria on July 13,
for the both sides, and it goes in two directions. First, in the air give our pilots a chance to fly against an actual MiG vs. a simulated
2015.
combat training such as basic flight maneuvers, to make our way MiG, which we usually have, and give them the chance to train
Bottom: A Bulgarian air
of flying similar to each other's and second, while we're not flying, against some NATO aircraft and observe those capabilities."
Bulgarian air force MiG-29 pilot Capt. Ivan Dinkov enters the cockpit of a U.S. force MiG-21 Fishbed taxis
we succeed in developing new relationships, friendships, cultural
Air Force F-16D Fighting Falcon just prior to his familiarization flight with a at Graf Ignatievo Air Base,
None of the currently tasked future missions of the 177th have
pilot from the 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard differences and interesting facts about each other and each Bulgaria during Thracian
been curtailed at this time.
during Thracian Star at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, July 15, 2015. other's country." Star on July 14, 2015.
Left top: A Bulgarian air force
MiG-29 Fulcrum lands at Graf
Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria,
during Thracian Star on July 13,
2015.
Right: U.S. Air Force Senior
Airmen Keith Bates, left, and
Mark Cavanaugh, crew chiefs
with the 177th Fighter Wing,
marshal F-16C Fighting Falcons
prior to takeoff at Graf
Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, on
July 13, 2015.
Left bottom: U.S. Air Force Lt.
Col. Philippe Malebranche, F
-16 pilot with the 177th Fighter
Wing, prepares to stow aircrew
flight equipment in his F-16C
Fighting Falcon after a training
mission on July 13, 2015.
Falcons, Fulcrum and Fishbed
over Bulgaria
Two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, from the New Jersey Air National Guard's 177th Fighter Wing, left, lead a mixed formation
including a Bulgarian air force MiG-29 Fulcrum and MiG-21 Fishbed over Bulgaria during Thracian Star on July 20, 2015. Thracian
Star 2015 is a bilateral training exercise to enhance interoperability with the Bulgarian air force, hosted by Graf Ignatievo Air Base.
ANG/Master Sgt. Andrew J. Moseley)
Mase the Ace Hicks
is Pilot for a Day
Story and photos by Airman 1st Class Amber Powell
The 177th Fighter Wing honored its newest Pilot for a Day June 18, 2015. Mason Hicks, who suffered
burns over ninety percent of his body in a childhood accident, was welcomed by Airmen who lined the
parking lot and hallway leading to his mission brief with Col. John DiDonna, 177th Wing Commander.

After receiving his flight suit and the plan for the day, Mason’s activities around the Wing included:
getting up close to an F-16 Fighting Falcon static display, trying out air support operations and aircrew
flight equipment, and spraying a fire hose. He was also able to watch F-16s take off from the runway
before flying his own in the F-16 simulator.
Above: Mason and his family are cheered on as they arrive at the Wing.

“Mason and his family had a fantastic day, and with great professionalism and enthusiasm, you made
Above: Tech. Sgt. Joseph Searle, from the aircrew flight equipment shop,
that possible for them. Mason will likely never forget this day because of your efforts, and neither will
shows Mason equipment used by pilots.
Below: Airman 1st Class Adam Osmola, with the Wing’s fire I,” said DiDonna.
department, helps Mason spray a fire hose while visiting the station on Below: Staff Sgt. Steven Haskins shows Mason and his dad equipment
June 18, 2015. used for communication by airmen from the 227th ASOS.
“Thank you so much
for an amazing day. I
had so much fun.
When people ask me if
it was the best day
ever, I tell them YES—
it was even better than
meeting the
Philadelphia flyers.”
- Mason Hicks
Story by Dr. Richard V. Porcelli
The North American F-86 Sabre, a Truly Iconic American Aircraft B
y the second half of the Korean War, which
lasted from June 1950 to July 1953, three
Part 4 – The War-Winning F-86F and the Ultimate Sabre, the F-86H
factors influenced the further development of the
Sabre. First, production bottlenecks were
resolved and new Sabres were rolling off North
American Aviation’s production lines in
Inglewood, California and their new plant in
Columbus, Ohio. Second, the Air Force decided
that remaining F-86A and F-86E day fighters
would be used as escort fighters and interceptors,
but with limited air-to-ground capability. The Air
Force also decided they wanted the next Sabre
version to be mainly a fighter-bomber. Third,
hard lessons learned in the jet battles over MiG
Alley in Korea were applied to improvements
made in the Sabre’s design.
The result was the F-86F Sabre, the most
produced day fighter version of the jet, with a
total of 2,540 accepted by the Air Force by the
time deliveries were completed in December
1956. Those F-86Fs produced at Inglewood had
the company suffice “NA”, while those built at the
Columbus factory (which originally belonging to
Curtiss-Wright) were given the “NH” suffix. The
first production version F-86F-NA-1 flew on March
19, 1952. Remarkably, by June the F-model
started to re-equip the 39th Fighter Squadron of
the 51st Fighter Group at Suwon AB Korea.
While the shortage of airframe production
capacity was resolved, the shortage of General
Electric J-47 jet engines continued to dog the
program. The intended engine was an upgraded J
-47-GE-27 developing almost 6,000 pounds of
thrust. However, shortages forced the
A restored F-86F painted to look like Lt. Jim Thompson’s “The Huff”, first 93 F-86F to be fitted with the lower
from the 39th Fighter Squadron, Suwon AB in 1953. This Sabre has thrust -13 engine of the Sabre F-86E
appeared at airshows around the United States. (Courtesy photo) model.
added 200 pounds to the 17,000 pound gross The F-86H was the only Sabre designed from the all previous Sabres, featured zero dihedral. It also
weight. start for fighter-bomber duties. It was the final featured electrically operated flaps, hydraulically
version of the F-86 series and incorporated all the operated speed brakes and controls, heavier
Four strengthened under-wing pylons allowed the
lessons learned in combat by its predecessors. The landing gear, and an improved pylons and release
carriage of bombs; 2” and 5” rockets; and larger,
first flight of the prototype YF-86H occurred on May mechanism for carrying droppable wing tanks,
200 gallon drop tanks. The armament, six 0.50
9, 1953, at the hands of North American test pilot bombs and rockets.
caliber M3 machine-guns with 1,602 rounds was
Joe Lynch. George “Wheaties” Welch, the more
basically unchanged. Unlike the earlier Sabres day fighters, the pilot sat
famous test pilot from that firm, took over much of
higher with a clamshell type canopy (similar to the
Combat experience showed that the improved the subsequent testing. While North American in
F-86D single-seat interceptor). It featured the slat-
performance yielded only a modest increase in Inglewood, California, built two service test models,
equipped, extended wing design similar to the late
actual air combat superiority, but enough to the remaining test and all production F-86H’s were
F-86F model.
supplement and then replace the F-86E in Korean built in Columbus, Ohio.
War service by March 1953. Most importantly the While the intended armament was four 20-mm M-
F-86Fs of the 8th Figher-Bomber Group in Korea in 1953. The first Power came from a General Electric J-73 turbojet,
F model proved to have a greater ability to survive 39 cannon (a joint project of the Air Force and
in the line is the Group Commander’s Sabre, denoted by the substantially larger and more powerful than the
hostile fire, was a more stable gun platform and was Ford Motor Company) development problems
three component squadron colors on the tail. (USAF) earlier models’ J-47-GE-13 and -27 engines. To
considered the most suitable fighter-bomber of the forced the first 115 examples to retain the original
supply the additional air to feed the larger engine,
conflict. In air combat, the final “box-score” for the 6 machine gun armament until later retrofitted
Other features of the F model reflected the feedback the intake duct was enlarged, resulting in a deeper
F-86F was a 14 to 1 kill ratio over the MiG-15. with cannon. The cannon had a firing rate of 1,500
of combat pilots, including relocated hydraulic lines fuselage and ultimately a larger airframe with
rounds per minute, with a capacity of 150 rounds
to minimize damage to both the normal and backup As an indication of the rapid advancement in substantially greater fuel capacity. The larger
per gun. Spent cartridges were ejected beneath
systems if hit by enemy fire, a revised cockpit layout, military aircraft, by the end of 1955 none of the F- airframe required a larger tail-plane, which unlike
the fuselage.
a simpler A-4 gun-sight and a flat windscreen. The F- 86Fs were left in the Air Force inventory. Unlike
model also featured the so-called “6-3” solid wing earlier Sabre models, the Air National Guard was
leading edges and extended wing tips for more not a significant operator of the F-86F; it equipped
predictable handling in air-to-air combat, but with just one squadron for two years. Most retired F-
the high landing speed. Small boundary layer fences model Sabres ended up in the air forces of our
were installed for the first time. The “all-flying tail” NATO allies.
introduced by the F-86E was retained. These
Korean War experience showed that even the F-86F
aerodynamic modifications resulted in an increase in
suffered from the lack of “punch” in its armament,
ceiling by 4,000 feet to 52,000 feet; maximum Mach
as many MiGs damaged by numerous hits by 0.50
number to 1.05; and the maximum climb rate
caliber machine-gun bullets managed to survive and
increased by 300 feet per minute. Most importantly,
fight another day. In an attempt to resolve this
pilots appreciated the tighter turn radius at high
problem, four F-86E-10s and six F-86F-1s were
altitudes especially when tangling with MiGs. Later,
retrofitted with four 20-mm T-160/M-39 belt-fed
due to the high landing speed drawback, the deleted
cannon. A further two F-86F-1s were tested with
slats were reintroduced on modified F-86Fs. This final
four 20-mm Oerlikon cannon. In the spring of 1953
configuration, with enlarged and lengthened wings fit
these modified Sabres were sent directly into
with moveable slats improved the handing even
Korean War combat after having fired their cannon
further, giving the modified F-86F improved low
just one time in stateside tests, as part of “Project
speed handling, extended range, increased high
Gun Val.” Although they showed some promise, the
altitude maneuverability, as well as reduced landing
replacement of machine guns with cannon had to
and takeoff rolls, with the only negative being an F-86Hs of 119th Tactical Fighter Squadron, NJANG at Atlantic City. The smoke on the
wait for the next Sabre, the F86H.
gunport indicates this aircraft just returned from Warren Grove Range. (NJANG)
The four under-wing hard-points could carry four 200 damage to the airframe, calling for tight restrictions F-100C – the Air Force’s first level-flight supersonic Virginia. The Massachusetts and New York
-gallon drop tanks, or a variety of bombs, rockets and on flying. Engine failures, due to a faulty second fighter – commenced in 1956 and was completed by squadrons were recalled for active duty in 1961 as
missiles. It relied on an AN/APG30 radar ranging stage compressor discs made of a newly developed 1958. Most H models were transferred to the Air part of the response to the Berlin Crisis, serving in
device coupled with an A-4 computing gun-sight. It titanium alloy failed; the cause was eventually traced National Guard. Europe from October 1961 to October 1962. The last
had a nuclear bomb delivery capacity using the LABS to a manufacturing defect. Aircraft tended to shed unit to fly the F-86H was the New York Air National
The 119th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Atlantic City
(Low Altitude Bombing System) toss-bombing their nose gear doors in flight, often causing Guard’s 138th Tactical Fighter Squadron based in
received its first F-86Hs during the winter of 1962,
system, with the capability of hauling a 1,200 pound structural damage; worse still, the ejection seat Syracuse, NY, retiring them in November 1970. A
keeping them until September 1965 when they were
“shape” (i.e., nuke) under the port wing balanced by proved to be problematic. number were converted to radio controlled targets
replaced by the North America F-100C Super Sabre
two 200-gallon drop tanks under the starboard wing. and the Navy flew others as Mig-17 surrogates in
It should not be concluded that the F-86H was a (the subject of next month’s column). The sister
early Top Gun dissimilar air combat training during
Despite the design intended for the fighter-bomber failure. It eventually became a better air-to-ground NJANG unit based at McGuire AFB, the 141st Tactical
the Vietnam War.
role, the success of the F-86F and testing problems of gunnery platform than the F-86F, with faster climb Fighter Squadron, similarly re-equipped with the H
the much needed next generation F-100 Super Sabre and acceleration speeds. It gained the nicknames model when that unit returned from Europe as part What was the F-86H like to fly? According to retired
day fighter, forced the Air Force to reclassify the F- “Ultimate Sabre” and “Cadillac of Sabres” because of of their Berlin Crisis call-up, replacing them with the NY Air National Guard pilot Jim “Skinny” McLennan,
86H as a day fighter, with a secondary ground-attack this superiority. Its other name, “The Hog” could be Republic F-105B Thunderchief in April 1964. The F- “it was the best fighter I ever flew. It had no
role. Actually, this change in role did not impact the a reflection of its designation as the “H-model of the 86H eventually equipped many Air National Guard restrictions on speed, altitude, attitude or visibility.
design or performance of the F-86H. Sabre,” or perhaps a less complementary reason. A units, including those of California, Connecticut, My office was high and well forward of the wing.” In
total of 473 F-86Hs were built but its service life in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, mock air-to-air combat, it handled exceedingly well.
However, pre-service testing of the F-86H “put a
the Air Force was short, as phasing out in favor of the Massachusetts, New York, Puerto Rico and West McLennan reported that the H was restricted to 7.3
monkey wrench” in the Air Force plans. The high
wing loading and power deficiencies at high altitude
of the heavier aircraft, despite the J-73’s almost 50%
increase in thrust, resulted in a modest gain in top
speed due to airframe Mach limitations. Hence, the
F-86H, ordered in 1951 as a fighter-bomber,
reclassified in 1952 as a day fighter, ended up in
1954 as a tactical support fighter-bomber again. A
later modification with an enlarged exhaust pipe
resulted in a 10% increase in thrust and substantial
speed, climb rate and acceleration improvements.
Like many combat aircraft of that generation, it was
plagued with engine and airframe engineering and
production problems. In mid-1954, the fleet was
impacted by a number of issues, including defective
gun blast panels; gun jamming; misalignment of the
wing spar attachment to the fuselage; defective fire
detectors; plus a number of other issues. The supply
of the J-73 engine was limited, as was the pool of
spare parts. At one point, 224 newly built airframes
were awaiting delivery of their engines from General
Electric. In 1955, squadron service pointed out that F-86H from the 119th Tactical Fighter Squadron, NJANG on the ramp at
the Atlantic City Base. The fatter fuselage, compared to the earlier Sabre
firing the cannon caused denting and more serious
day fighter, is a necessity to supply air to the larger J-73 turbojet. (NJANG)