F-15C Eagle 85-0104 – MiG Killer and Special Schemes

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Story and photos by Ken Middleton

This article covers F-15C Eagle 85-0104 during its last days of service. It finished with the 104th Fighter Wing / 131st Fighter Squadron, after arriving from Kadena Airbase in early 2023. The jet scored an Iraqi Air Force MiG-23 kill on 26 January 1991, during Operation Desert Storm, while assigned to the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing / 58th Tactical Fighter Squadron. Piloted by then-Captain Anthony “KIMO” Schiavi, he shot down the MiG using an AIM-7M Sparrow missile.

Fast forward a few years after Desert Storm, and the 33rd FW dispersing its F-15Cs, the jet was sent to Kadena AB, Japan. In 2020, it wore a commemorative scheme.

With the sudden drawdown of F-15s at Kadena, Air National Guard units started receiving them, and 85-0104 was sent to the 104th FW at Barnes Air National Guard Base, in Westfield, Massachusetts.

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In May 2023, at the Westfield International Airshow, the jet was unveiled to the public wearing a special scheme celebrating the unit, with special treatment to the tail’s serial number. A “-0” was added in subdued color after “104” to display the F-15s worldwide kill ratio – 104:0. Initially, the minuteman was added on top of the tail’s MA tail code.

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I was able to finally catch the jet flying on 12 July 2024 during a retirement “fini-flight”.

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In August 2024, it was announced that the jet would be ending its flying career and going to the Empire State Aerosciences Museum in Schenectady, New York. On 12 August 2024, I was invited to photograph its final departure as it headed to the museum. The minuteman logo I mentioned above, had been removed from the MA tail code.

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I am glad I was able to photograph this jet during its short stay at Barnes, and its last take-off as well.

Special thanks to Kyle for the invite and Bobby for escorting me around on 12 August!

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