173rd Fighter Wing – Oregon Air National Guard, Kingsley Field, Klamath Falls, Oregon
Story and photos by Ken Middleton
On 8 October 2024, I had my 3rd visit to the 173rd Fighter Wing, of the Oregon Air National Guard. Situated in beautiful southern Oregon in Klamath Falls, the 173rd FW trains F-15 Eagle pilots, and has been doing so since 1998. The base started training fighter pilots in air superiority in 1983 with the F-4C Phantom, and in 1988 the F-16A Fighting Falcon arrived. In March 1989 the Air Defense Fighter (ADF) variant of the F-16 was brought on board. You can see more history of the Wing and about David R. Kingsley, for whom the airfield is named for, HERE.
I have created 2 previous articles on my first visit:
America’s Air Superiority Starts Here: Land of NO SLACK – Photorecon
America’s Air Superiority Starts Here: Land of NO SLACK, Part 2 – Photorecon
A student pilot from the local 104th FW was flying during my visit, and it was neat to capture him with “Chopper” in the back seat instructing him.
Additionally, I was able to get more flying shots of F-15C Eagle 78-0543 with the David R. Kingsley anniversary scheme, including the morning launch with Wing Commander Colonel Lee Bouma at the controls.
Below, I have pasted some information and links from my previous article.
The jet was unveiled in January 2020 wearing an incredibly special paint scheme in memory of David R. Kingsley. The airport is named in his honor, and he lost his life in a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber crash in Bulgaria in June 1944. You can read more about him HERE.
173rd Fighter Wing dedicates new F-15 flagship
WWII Vet brings history to 173rd Fighter Wing
In between the 2 launches, I hung out in the 114th FS bar, which had some really neat artifacts.
The 173rd FW was originally slated to get the new-build F-15EX Eagle II and continue its tradition of training Eagle pilots. However, that planned changed, and now they are scheduled to get the F-35A Lightning II and continue the tradition of training pilots.
I plan on attending Sentry Eagle 2025 in July 2025 to capture what should be one of the final displays of the mighty Eagle at Kingsley Field.
Special thanks to all the men and women of the 173rd FW, Colonel Lee Bouma, Commander 173rd FW, “Axe”, “RUMM”, “Chopper”, “Tiny” and Eric for your hospitality and assistance getting these photographs.
Aircraft profile by Dave Budd.
