PORTLAND, Ore. - The future of the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing was on full display July 12 during the formal unveiling of the first two operational U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets assigned to the unit.
The Portland Air National Guard Base ceremony highlighted the first time a new weapons system was introduced to the Air National Guard before being first implemented by the active duty Air Force.
Dignitaries, elected officials, members of the military and other aviation enthusiasts got an up-close look at the F-15EX model that will eventually replace the F-15C Eagle models operated by the unit.
Eighteen F-15EXs will be delivered to the 142nd Wing as the Air Force adds nearly 100 new operational F-15EX Eagle IIs to its inventory. Manufactured by Boeing, the F-15EX is fortified with the next generation of radars, sensors and other modern software to keep pace with advances made by adversaries.
Col. Michael Kosderka, 142nd Wing commander, said he “couldn’t be more excited, more thrilled and more humbled” to represent the unit and the Oregon National Guard.”
Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, the adjutant general for the Oregon National Guard, described the importance of the new F-15EX for the state and nation.
“The F-15EX represents a significant leap in modernizing the 142nd Wing — enhancing our operational readiness and effectiveness to better protect our skies and communities,” Gronewold said. “It also provides an incredible opportunity for our Airmen to train on one of the most significant fighter jets in the U.S. arsenal, ensuring seamless integration with active duty units and fostering greater interoperability within the United States Air Force.”
Gov. Tina Kotek told the attendees filling the unit’s large maintenance hangar for the ceremony, with the new F-15EX and current F-15C models poised as a backdrop, that the fighter jet would strengthen homeland defense.
“Oregon values the exceptional contributions of our Oregon National Guard service members, not only to our state but to our nation,” Kotek said. “The 142nd Wing … is the sole defender of our skies of the Pacific Northwest.”
The 142nd Wing’s primary federal mission is to provide aerospace superiority from Canada to the California border while supporting USNORTHCOM and NORAD.
The 142nd Wing is one of three Air National Guard units set to operate the F15-EX. The others are the 144th Fighter Wing, Fresno Air National Guard Base, California, and the 159th Fighter Wing, New Orleans Air National Guard Base, Louisiana.
Sen. Ron Wyden, a longtime advocate for the Oregon National Guard, also spoke at the ceremony, noting that the 142nd Fighter Wing was targeted for closure 20 years ago.
“Not on our watch — not on our watch,” he said.” We pulled together an incredible bipartisan juggernaut to protect the predecessor of the fighter jet [F-15 A/B model] we are talking about today. So give yourself a big round of applause for that one large community rally of support.”
The history of the F-15 Eagle fighter jet at the Portland Air National Guard Base began on May 24, 1989, as the replacement for the F-4 Phantom II. Most of the early planes came from the disbanding 318th Fighter Interceptor Group at McChord Air Force Base, Washington. For the next 20 years, the 142nd flew the F-15 A/B models, including the last A model in the U.S. Air Force inventory, which was retired on Sept. 16, 2009, while phasing in upgraded C and D models in late 2007.
These newer models featured improved fuel efficiency, radar and avionics. The F-15EX Eagle II model is an all-weather multirole strike fighter, which will work alongside the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.
Maj. Gen. Duke Pirak, the acting director of the Air National Guard and former 142nd Wing commander, said the F-15EX is the cornerstone of the nation’s air power.
“It will be the bedrock of American air supremacy for generations to come,” Pirak said. “When we use this (aircraft) to fight and win our nation’s wars, it will be supported, maintained and flown by Oregon Air Guardsmen.”