MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, IDAHO--Pilots and maintainers to include munitions and weapons Airmen from the 142nd Wing traveled to Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho in early May where they accomplished a pivotal first step in the process of enhancing the capability of the wing’s fleet of F-15EX Eagle II aircraft.
During their time at Mountain Home, the crew handled 500 pound BDU-50s and 2,000 pound BDU-56s. By outward appearances, these units closely resemble real munitions, but instead of containing explosives, they are filled with concrete. These “bombs” were loaded onto the F-15 EXs and dropped in the Mountain Home firing range complex.
This operation was the first of its kind for the 142nd Wing. While the EX has been tested in this capacity under the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., this is the first time an operational EX unit has loaded and dropped bombs.
Though the F-15 EX is very similar in appearance to the wing’s receding C-model aircraft, it boasts greater combat versatility. The EX is considered a multi-role fighter aircraft because in addition to its air-to-air capabilities, which it shares with the C-models, it also has air-to-ground capability. Demonstrating that, however, took a considerable amount of preparation from all members of the team.
Maj. Jesse Loya is one of three pilots assigned to the 142nd Wing with former experience and expertise in air-to-ground operations. Loya and the two other pilots have attended a 9-month training course to understand the science behind dropping bombs and the tactics involved. They were tasked with creating a program to train the rest of the wing’s pilots on the basics so they could make the first steps to be able to drop munitions.
Loya explained that this training at Mountain Home was a stepping-stone approach to be able to train pilots to safely employ ordnance. This training was done on a much shorter timeline than the traditional 9-month course. “I think it’s a testament to the pilots themselves and the skills that they’ve developed over the years to be able to do that in such a short amount of time,” said Loya.
Weapons loaders had their own training to accomplish to prepare for this mission. Tech. Sgt. Tyler Phelps is one of a small number of weapons loaders assigned to the wing who have prior experience loading bombs onto aircraft. Earlier this year, Phelps, along with a few other weapons loaders, traveled to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. where they worked with F-15 E-models assigned to the 59th Test and Evaluation Squadron to become certified on loading bombs.
Upon returning to Portland Air National Guard Base, Ore., Phelps and the other certified Airmen trained the weapons loaders who were slated to go to Mountain Home.
For many involved, seeing the bombs finally loaded onto the EXs was deeply impactful because that moment marked the culmination of the combined efforts and dedication of everyone involved to accomplish a significant first for the unit.
142nd Operations Group Commander, Col. Joshua Hovanas, reflected on the significance of the moment and what the team managed to accomplish on this training mission.
"The speed at which this wing established a completely new capability is a testament to our Airmen," explained Hovanas. "That rapid progress was powered by the drive and seamless collaboration of the entire team, from the flight line to the cockpit. It speaks volumes about the caliber of our people."
The crew dropped a total of 24 BDU-50s and 12 BDU-56s over 10 missions with zero safety incidences and satisfactory scores.
“The team as a whole outperformed any expectations that we held and went above and beyond, and I think the results ended up speaking for themselves,” said Loya. “It was a privilege…just to be able to kind of usher in this new generation of multi-role fighters for us.”
The next step to becoming air-to-ground mission capable is loading and dropping live bombs, which is what the crew will be doing at the end of August at Nellis Air Force Base.
Hovanas emphasized this training as a foundational moment in the wing's evolution.
"What we've demonstrated is our ability to deliver ordnance to a pre-determined target. This is the first milestone on our path to becoming a premier multi-role fighter squadron," he explained. "It's about building a dynamic and versatile organization, and we are just getting started."