144th Fighter Wing F-15 Eagles
Story and photos by Ken Middleton
The 144th Fighter Wing / 194th Fighter Squadron, of the California Air National Guard, is the US Air Force’s last F-15C Eagle unit to form and is based at the Fresno / Yosemite International Airport in central California. And since 1992, It has also maintained a geographically separated alert facility at March Air Reserve Base in southern California. Currently, F-16C Vipers from the South Dakota ANG’s 114th FW operate the alert mission there.
I had the extreme pleasure to visit the 144th FW, for a second time, on 4 October 2024. I was going to be at Yosemite National Park, about 2 hours northeast of Fresno, and worked to have the visit fit during that time. Interestingly, the high temperatures in Yosemite were in the high 70s and low 80s F, and Fresno was going to be 105 F. So, some preparation and awareness of this was in order. In the end, it didn’t feel as hot as I expected. My first visit to the 144th FW in January 2015.
© Steve Lewis photo
When planning a visit to the 144th FW, I really wanted to see their patriotic F-15C Eagle 85-0113. Unfortunately, it was retired from flying not too long before my visit, but at least it was being kept for a static display. Luckily, it was set up in a hangar for the change of command ceremony for the coming weekend, and I was able to get some pictures of it.
See: Mike Colaner’s excellent article on 85-0113
Another Eagle I wanted to see was their black-tail 85-0123, but it was on alert and I could not get pictures of it. On the ramp was a varied mix of F-15C/D aircraft – marked for the 144th FW, 159th FW Louisiana ANG, 125th FW Florida ANG (which just dispersed all their Eagles in preparation to convert to the F-35A Lightning II), 44th FS Kadena AB and unmarked jets. To keep these well-worn jets ready for operations is an ever-increasing challenge due to their age and airframe hours, and the maintainers do an amazing job. The 144th FW is supposed to convert to the F-15EX Eagle II, sometime in the late 2020’s, and be the last of the remaining F-15C Eagle units to convert to new aircraft.
I witnessed 2 launches and a total of 5 Eagles take off. Also, while waiting for the first launch, a KC-135R Stratotanker from Beale AFB was doing missed approaches. And, prior to the second launch, 2 F-35C Lightning II’s from NAS Lemoore did a high formation approach.
It was a great day visiting the 144th FW for the second time. The entire 144th FW was welcoming and accommodating. I’d like to extend a huge thanks to Major Jason Sanchez, SSgt Rebecca Perez for being my escort, “Depot” and the other 194th FS members, and Rod for his hospitality and driving me around for the second launch and explaining some testing of hot pit refueling that had happened recently.
