T-Bolts train over southwest N.M.

  • Published
  • By Capt. Dan Daehler
  • 389th Fighter Squadron
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  The 389th Fighter Squadron "Thunderbolts" deployed eight jets and 97 Airmen, including pilots, maintainers, weapons, intelligence, aviation resource management and life support troops, to Combat Archer at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., July 29. 

The purpose of the deployment was to get hands-on experience in live fire missile training. (Combat Archer is hosted by the 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron, 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.) 

Employing the F-16, the T-Bolts' capabilities include the use of the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile, better known as the AMRAAM, and the AIM-9 Sidewinder Air Intercept Missile, which is a heat-seeking munition. The 389th FS had the opportunity to use both missiles over a two-week period. Pilots were also given a refresher course on the missiles capabilities by engineers who develop and produce the missiles. 

The 83rd FWS designed specific shoot profiles for the live-fire exercise to validate the T-Bolts tactics and capabilities, with the overall goal of giving the pilots confidence using the weapon systems. The T-Bolt pilots tested their skills and weapons against QF-4 drones - basically old F-4s brought back to life out of the Boneyard at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. 

"The live fire opportunity really builds a lot of confidence in our weapon systems. We train to shoot these missiles on a daily basis, but it's nothing like carrying a live missile, hitting the pickle button and actually seeing one launch from the missile rail," said Capt. Brian Healy, 389th FS pilot. "This training showed me that, if and when I need to employ missiles in a combat situation, I know with fairly high confidence that the system will work when I need it the most." 

The T-Bolts also took advantage of this opportunity to practice Dissimilar Air Combat Training, or DACT, with the 44th Fighter Squadron from Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 44th FS flew the F-15C and also conducted live-fire training with Combat Archer. 

"We're spoiled, being at Mountain Home, as we get a lot of good dissimilar training with the different assets the Gunfighters have," said Captain Healy. "It's always good, however, to get additional training in a deployed location, with other squadrons - it's a great opportunity for both squadrons to gain valuable knowledge on each respective aircraft and their capabilities." 

The T-Bolt maintainers and weapons troops also received plenty of hands-on experience working with and around live missiles. A lot of work is required behind the scene ensuring the missiles are ready, loaded properly and safety requirements are met. 

"Maintenance and weapons are critical variables in the equation, and without their support, our combat effectiveness would be severely degraded," said Capt. Mike Rose, 389th FS pilot. 

"It was a great experience seeing the process from start to finish," said Tech. Sgt. Sam Wease, 389th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. "We wish we could have shot more missiles, but all in all everything just went right, which was incredible to see. A lot of hard work was put in, and our jets performed flawlessly." 

At the end of the two-week exercise, eight out of 13 pilots got to fire missiles - before the Monsoon summer weather and QF-4 reliability played a role in limiting the planned shots. 

Regardless, the T-Bolts flew within the designed test parameters and provided valuable data points to both the 53rd WEG and Raytheon to improve combat capabilities. 

"It was a valuable experience, and we look forward to conducting this training again in November down at Tyndall Air Force Base," said Capt. Dan McGuire, 389th FS pilot.