Barnes ANG Base retires its final F-15C Eagles because the 104th Fighter Wing transitions to the F-35A Lightning II.
A well-recognized sound has pale from the skies over Westfield, Massachusetts, when on Oct. 23, 2025, three F-15C Eagles from the 104th Fighter Wing took off one final time from Barnes Air Nationwide Guard Base, marking the tip of an period for one of many Air Nationwide Guard’s most storied fighter items. The service introduced this last departure on Nov. 5, highlighting how the formation’s last loop over the bottom was a bittersweet farewell because the Eagles departed for his or her everlasting resting place on the “boneyard” of Davis-Monthan Air Pressure Base in Tucson, Arizona.
Because the 104th FW closes the chapter on its F-15 operations, preparations are already underway for the long run platform. In actual fact, starting subsequent summer time, Barnes will welcome its first F-35A Lightning II fighters from Lockheed Martin’s manufacturing line in Fort Price, Texas.
The Retirement by means of the Pilot’s Eyes
U.S. Air Pressure Pilots 1st Lt. Kyle “Nuke” Eckert, 131st Fighter Squadron, Col. David “Moon” Halasi-Kun, 104th Fighter Wing Commander, and 1st Lt. Eric” Gronk” Flynn, 131st Fighter Squadron, took off for the ultimate time from Barnes with the F-15s 83-0039, 86-0163, and 86-0178. “For these three pilots, the F-15C Eagle wasn’t only a jet, it was the one plane they’d ever flown,” highlighted the service.
The bond is much more particular as “Nuke” and “Gronk” beforehand solely admired the Eagles from the flight line as maintainers. The finally labored their means up in direction of acquiring a pilot slot to enroll in flight coaching, incomes their wings and becoming a member of the squadron as pilots.
The press launch notes that for “Moon,” the 104th FW Commander, the journey with the Eagle ends right here. Alternatively, “Nuke” and “Gronk” are headed to the F-35’s Formal Coaching Unit (FTU) and can later return to Barnes as F-35 pilots.
“It was a bittersweet second, with the ability to be the final F-15 to take off out of Barnes and formally shut that chapter for us was a really surreal and particular feeling for positive,” Nuke stated.
The Legacy of the F-15 Eagle at Barnes ANG Base
For 18 years, the F-15C Eagle was the image of the 104th Fighter Wing’s air dominance mission. Transferred to Barnes in 2007 from the 102nd Fighter Wing at Otis ANGB, the Eagle introduced with it a proud heritage of air superiority. The unit beforehand flew the A-10 Thunderbolt II.
Throughout that point, the 104th FW’s F-15Cs maintained 24/7 aerospace management alert tasks for the northeastern United States beneath NORAD, making certain fast response functionality in opposition to any airborne menace approaching the area. The squadron’s readiness posture and efficiency made it one of many premier alert items within the Air Nationwide Guard.
The press launch famous that the 104th FW despatched 37 of its 60 F-15s to the boneyard. The unit is scheduled to obtain 20 F-35s straight from Lockheed Martin’s meeting line in Fort Price, Texas, beginning subsequent summer time.
Because the Air Pressure put it, the sound of the Eagle turned a part of the neighborhood’s rhythm. In actual fact, the Eagle was the second longest-serving plane at Barnes, surpassed solely by the A-10, which held the skies for a formidable 30 years.
Within the assertion, “Nuke” thanked Westfield for his or her help: “Due to Westfield and all of its individuals for the unwavering help over the past 18 years, from the Airshows, to the 4AM Afterburner takeoffs. It is going to be quiet for some time, however we’ll be again very quickly,” stated Nuke.
Future Plans for the F-15
Whereas an increasing number of F-15s are being retired to the boneyard, some are going to soldier on for some extra years. In actual fact, as reported by Air and Area Forces Journal, the Air Pressure’s “Lengthy-Time period Fighter Pressure Construction” plans to retain some F-15C/D Eagles to carry out the homeland protection mission at the least till 2030.
The service plans to maintain 42 combat-coded F-15C/Ds in stock by means of 2028, and the final 21 by means of 2030. An Air Pressure official informed Air and Area Forces Journal that they “anticipate full divestment of F-15C/Ds in FY2031 when they’re changed by the F-15EX.”
Beforehand, the service’s funds request talked about the Eagle could be utterly phased out in fiscal yr 2026. Now, the “most viable F-15C/Ds,” that are additionally being known as “Platinum Eagles,” will stay in service with the California Air Nationwide Guard’s 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno.
Notably, Air and Area Forces Journal additionally reported that greater than 75% of the F-15 fleet is now restricted due to structural fatigue. In actual fact, there are efficiency restrictions in place for the utmost velocity and G-loading whereas maneuvering.
