News Search

ArticleS

F-15C Demo Team to complete 25 years of performing

  • Published
  • By Capt. Carrie L. Kessler
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The F-15 West Coast Demo Team wraps up its 25th year of flying during the 2008 Blue Angel Homecoming Air Show Saturday in Pensacola, Fla., where they will perform the last show of the season. 

"The (demonstration) flight is really aggressive, really loud and in your face," said Capt. Sam Joplin, the demonstration pilot and officer in charge. "It's very safe though, very scripted and all within the parameters of the aircraft." 

The F-15C is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to permit the Air Force to gain and maintain air supremacy over the battlefield. The Eagle's air superiority is achieved through a mixture of unprecedented maneuverability and acceleration, range, weapons and avionics. It can penetrate enemy defense and outperform and outfight any current enemy aircraft. 

Along with the demo pilot, the team consists of a safety observer and nine maintainers. Four to five of those maintainers travel with the team for every performance. 

"You get to meet a lot of children," said Staff Sgt. Jesus Pena, dedicated crew chief. "They look up to you." 

Captain Joplin, who has been the team lead for the past year has always dreamt of being a fighter pilot. 

"My grandfather was a bombardier in WWII and that lit the fire," said the West Plains, Mo., native. Flying for the team, "is a ton of fun and has been the neatest experience in my Air Force career, second only to getting my pilot wings." 

The former T-37 instructor pilot's love of flying goes beyond the Air Force runway. 

"I'm an airplane nerd. I fly my own civilian plane," said the captain. Because of that "I feel I can reach the crowds more effectively" than those pilots who just fly in the Air Force. 

According to the Air Combat Command aerial events Web site, the F-15 West Team, one of six single-ship ACC demonstration teams, originated at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., and was moved to Tyndall AFB, Fla., before settling at Eglin in the early 1990's. The name "West Coast" has been retained for heritage purposes. 

After a quarter century of wowing audiences around the world, the team will fly their final performance in 2009. 

"With the advent of the Raptor coming forward as the premier air dominance fighter," the F-15C team is drawing to a close, said Lt. Col. Bill Edwards, ACC Demo Team Marketing Officer. 

The drawdown isn't lost on the West Team members as they continue their mission of demonstrating professional competence and modern weapon systems, positively affecting Air Force recruiting and retention, and promoting community and international relations while reinforcing public confidence in the Air Force. 

For Captain Joplin, he's honored to represent the Air Force and spread the Air Force message. 

"Meeting the people has been the most overwhelming thing about it," said the captain. "We've been seen by more than 2.9 million spectators, not counting the many school visits and radio, newspaper and television interviews my men have participated in." 

Although the 2009 schedule is not final, the team anticipates flying eight to 10 shows with May's 33d FW Nomad reunion being their final performance.