Iowa F-16s challenge Montana F-15s in ‘Big Sky’ duel

By 1st Sgt. Duff E. McFadden
Iowa National Guard

F-16s with the Iowa Air National Guard's 132nd Fighter Wing recently provided dissimilar air-combat training for pilots of the Montana Air National Guard's 120th Fighter Wing throughout eastern Montana airspace. The training will help the Montana Air Guard unit to become F-15 combat operational and mission ready by 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mike Estrada)
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GREAT FALLS, Mont., (6/24/09) - Montana is a long way from California’s Miramar Navy Air Station, made famous in the 1986 movie “Top Gun,” but the action here in the “The Big Sky” state was just as intense for two Air National Guard fighter wings over the past two weeks.

Pilots from the Iowa Air National Guard’s 132nd Fighter Wing, with their smaller, more maneuverable F-16’s, were more than happy to provide dissimilar air-combat training for pilots of the Montana Air National Guard’s 120th Fighter Wing throughout eastern Montana airspace.

While the 120th has flown the F-16 for many years, the “Vigilantees” began converting to the older, larger, two-engine F-15C fighter jet in January.

The training provided by the Iowa fighter wing will help the Montana Air Guard unit to become F-15 combat operational and mission ready by 2010.

Lt. Col. Troy Havener was one of three Iowa pilots with flight time in the F-15. He was as an active duty Air Force pilot at Kadena Airbase in Okinawa.

Having an insider’s knowledge of the opponent’s aircraft, Havener said he generally knew the things that go on in their cockpit and the order in which they happen, allowing him the chance to present them problems and realistic oppositional tactics they may not otherwise face.

“We had the opportunity to orchestrate tactics that we knew would give them good training,” Havener said. “We gave them as many different situations as we could, flying at supersonic speeds at 50,000 feet and then down as low as 500 feet in meeting them.

“We gave them a full spectrum of training,” he said with a smile. “We helped them push the envelope and showed them new and different things with their aircraft and its capabilities.”

While the Iowans were giving the Montana pilots all they could handle, the Iowans were also benefitting from the hands-on experience. Besides the great weather and airspace, the 132nd augmented this invaluable training with deployment preparations.

The Iowans deployed here with six aircraft and 75 Air Guard personnel, including administration support, life support, intelligence specialists, and maintenance support.

For 1st Lt. Jon Harbart, a nine-year Air Guard veteran, the trip was his first such deployment, but one he’ll never forget.
“For the first time ever, I got to dogfight against a different jet fighter, while learning the strengths and weaknesses of the F-16,” he said. “I discovered the F-16 has mostly strengths, including a good air-to-air weapon system.

“The Montana pilots have come a long way in their transition to the F-15, but they also have a bit more to do to develop their proficiency in deploying against smaller, more agile fighters,” Harbart said.

Both crews faced two flight missions each day. Those flying in the morning session began their morning brief at 6:30 a.m., and then took to the Montana skies.

Following the mission, a full instrumental debriefing, complete with graphics, lasted until 2 p.m. The afternoon session’s preflight brief would begin at 10:30 a.m., with a 5 or 6 p.m. debriefing.

The air wings would meet in four-ship versus two-ship, or four-ship versus four-ship scenarios, depending on whether they were flying defensive, or offensive counter air missions.

In any case, the Iowans were responsible for replicating the latest enemy fighter tactics.

The Iowa and Montana air wings got to know each other pretty well during their June 2008 deployment to Balad Air Base, Iraq.

After the two states began discussions on the possibility of conducting such an exercise, Montana asked for Iowa’s assistance once the two units returned stateside.

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