Nomads 'kill' MiG-21 over Gulf Published Sept. 3, 2008 By Chrissy Cuttita 33d Fighter Wing Public Affairs EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Many times a fighter pilot gets to play red air pretending his American jet is a MiG during military exercises but Aug. 27 and 28, Nomad pilots had the opportunity to experience flying two sorties with a real MiG 21. "We share it with military because if it wasn't for them, we wouldn't have our freedom," said Paul Van Den Heuvel, who flew his MiG-21 as part of a mock four-ship bomb run in over the Gulf of Mexico. Van Air Ventures is a private, civilian company that owns and operates an ex-Polish Air Force MiG-21 UM supersonic fighter jet within the Midwest of the United States. Stripped of weapons systems and upgraded with North American avionics, they provide opposing force and red air asset simulation for the military training exercises, according to their website. The 33d Fighter Wing contracted the aircraft so they could provide the unique training opportunity, effectively using end of year funds. "We got shot down half way to the target," said Stan Bloyer, who facilitated the contract for the MiG-21 and brought Van Den Heuvel out to the Emerald Coast from Chicago. "It is a real threat aircraft. It has the right signatures so it is a very useful training asset." Among the countries using MiG aircraft are India, Pakastan, China and possibly North Korea but the aircraft is only seen as a limited viable threat. "It depends on who owns them and what upgrades they have," said Maj. David Papineau, 33d Operations Support Squadron assistant director, who flew alongside the MiG-21 during the first sortie as "red air." For red air pilots it may have seemed like another training day, just that one of the four-ship looked apparently different than the others, and smaller. "This is the first time that I have seen a MiG-21," said 2nd Lt. Douglas J. Wietlisbach, 33d Operations Support Squadron chief of systems. "I learned how the aircraft is "typical" Former Soviet Union construction - relatively cheap, easily produced, and overall quite sturdy and rugged. One of the F-15D pilots mentioned that it is quite difficult to visually observe unless they are within a few miles due to the size and geometry of the MiG-21, especially when the MiG-21 is viewed directly from the front. I also noticed that that MiG-21 could not carry as many missiles due to its small size and that it can only fly in combat conditions for about an hour before it needs to refuel." The lieutenant and others had the opportunity to see the MiG-21 up close when it was available for static display at one of the 33d FW hangars Aug. 27. "I hope this will wet everyone's appetite to come back for more," said Mr. Van Den Heuvel.