The 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron was stationed at Elmendorf AFB,the 43rd TFS received the first F-15A/B’s on June 21st 1982.
The 43rd TFS providing top-cover for North America. One TAC, USAFE and PACAF were fully operational with the F-15, the Alaskan Air Command started to convert to the F-15 Eagle. The first unit to convert was the 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, stationed at Elmendorf AFB on the “Northern Frontier”. On March 1st 1982, the first Eagle arrived at Elmendorf AFB, marking the start of an Eagle Era. The first models received were FY74 models previously operated by the Eagle Drivers of Langley AFB. Within 6 months the 43rd TFS was fully operational at Elmendorf AFB and it’s two alert stations at Galena and King Salmon Air Force Station, keeping America safe for possible “Bear” Attacks. In November 1982 the first TU-95 bear was intercepted and the 43rd made it clear it was a force to be dealt with. For several years the 43rd TFS was solely responsible for Top Cover over Northern America until she was joined by the 54th TFS “Leopards” in 1987.
On May 23rd 1987 the 43rd TFS received the first F-15C/D’s from the 1st TFW Langley AFB,.replacing the A/B’s. On September 26th 1991 the designation changed from Tactical Fighter into Fighter Squadron. On December 31, 1993 the 43 Fighter Squadron deactivated. The F-15s were transferred to the newly activated 19th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf AFB. The 43rd FS would later stand up as the first F-22 raptor squadron at Tyndall AFB.
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Squadron photos
Air-to-air left side view of two F-15s, F-15A 74-0099 and 74-0105 of the 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.Air-to-air view of F-15A 74-0105 of the 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.Air to air left side view of an F-15 Eagle aircraft of the 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.Air to air left side view of an F-15 Eagle aircraft of the 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.Air to air underside view of an F-15 Eagle aircraft of the 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.Air to air left side view of an F-15 Eagle aircraft of the 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.F-15 Eagle aircraft of the 21st Tactical Fighter Wing escort two Soviet MiG-29 aircraft to Elmendorf Air Force Base, where they will refuel before continuing their flight to an air show in British Columbia
A 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron F-15 Eagle aircraft approaches the refueling boom of a KC-10 Stratotanker aircraft during Exercise Team Spirit ’85 (USAF photo).
43 TFS gaggle 74-092, 74-093, 74-094, 74-095. Top Cover over Alaska
Right side view of an F-15 Eagle aircraft from the 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron as it takes off during Exercise Brim Frost ’83.
Left front view of an F-15 Eagle aircraft from the 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron as it takes off during Exercise Brim Frost ’83.
An F-15 Eagle (74-0135) of the 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron tests the mobile aerial arresting system (MAAS) during Exercise COBBLER FREEZE ’87, a cold-weather force projection exercise conducted by the Alaskan Air Command. (TSGT Edward Boyce)
Air-to-air right view of F-15A 74-0105 and 74-0099 of the 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.
An F-15 Eagle aircraft of the 21st Tactical Fighter Wing is parked on the flight line during Exercise COBBLER FREEZE ’87, a cold-weather force projection exercise conducted by the Alaskan Air Command.
