F-15C Eagle 85-0104 – MiG Killer and Special Schemes
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.
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.
I was able to finally catch the jet flying on 12 July 2024 during a retirement “fini-flight”.
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.
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!