110 Fighter Squadron – Eagle Country

Eagle History

The 110th Fighter Squadron is stationed at Lambert Field, St. Louis Missouri. The 110th received their first F-15A/B’s in May of 1991 replacing the F-4E’s. The 110th was one of the last Air National Guard unit’s to convert to the F-15. The 110th has been one of the most experienced Eagle Communities with at the peak of the F-15 era, the squadron hosted over thirteen FWS graduates. The average hours of a 110th FS pilot was 2,500 and among the squadron members where three mig killers. Very sadly the Air Force decided to convert the “Lindberg own” from one of the greatest F-15 squadron to a Bombartment squadron, becoming the first ANG B-2 bomber unit in 2008. Marking and end of an Era. “Eagle Country” will try to keep the legacy of this great Fighter unit alive.

Col Jon “JB” Kelk finishes historic final F-15 flight

Celebrating a final flight and milestone. Pilots of the 110 Fighter Squadron, gathered to celebrate with Col Jon “JB” Kelk for his final F-15 flight at Lambert-Saint Louis Airport on March 12. Col Kelk was the first ever pilot to log over 4000 hours in F-15 model aircraft and still holds the record with over 4160 flying hours. Pictured left to right: Lt Col Mike “Father” Flanagan, Col Rob “Mos” Mohr, Col Kelk, Lt Col Mike “Hung” Jurries, Lt Col Brian “Spiderman” Kamp, Lt Col Jeff “Chunks” Verville, and Col Greg “Spinner” Champagne. The 110th Fighter Squadron is attached to the 131st Fighter Wing, Missouri Air National Guard (U.S. Air Force Photo by Master Sergeant Mary-Dale Amison)

Doused! Col Jon “JB” Kelk is doused with a firehose in honor of his final F-15 flight at the 131st Fighter Wing, Missouri Air National Guard, at Lambert-Saint Louis Airport on March 12. Col Kelk was the first ever pilot to log over 4000 hours in F-15 model aircraft and still holds the record with over 4160 flying hours. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Master Sergeant Mary-Dale Amison)

Missouri Air National Guard celebrates End of Era with final F-15 departure

by Capt. Bridget Zorn 131st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
6/16/2009 – St. Louis — The Missouri Air National Guard commemorated the culmination of 86 years of flying operations in St. Louis in an End of Era ceremony coinciding with the closure of the base fire house and the 131st Fighter Wing’s final F-15C Eagle departure from Lambert International Airport Saturday June 13.
An estimated crowd of 2000 Guardsmen, retirees, family and community leaders attended the End of Era event. Former members traveled from other states, including Florida, Tennessee and Ohio to participate in what was one of the wing’s more significant milestones since it was established in 1923

“Flying the F-15 is a thrill. Think of the funnest [sic] thing you ever did and multiply that by 10,” said Colonel Robert Mohr, 131st Operations Group Commander.

In 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission spared Lambert Air National Guard Base, but called for the transfer of the wing’s F-15s. The 131st Fighter Wing’s F-15s were realigned to the 120th Fighter Wing in Great Falls, Mont. and the 154th Fighter Wing in Hawaii.

“I’m confident that the units receiving these aircraft will find them in extraordinary condition and I wish them safe flying and much success,” said Col. Kelk, who flew his final F-15 sortie in March.

Lt. Col Reed “Snake” Drake salutes during his final take off during the end of era ceremony for the 131st Fighter Wing June, 13 2009. Lt. Col Drake is the squadron commander for the 110th Fighter Squadron at Lambert ANG base. (Photo by SrA Amber Hodges)

BRAC law allowed for the manpower associated with the F-15s to be used for Total Force Integration initiatives. In 2006, Missouri and Air Force leaders took advantage of the newly available maintenance and operations manpower when they announced a new ANG B-2 classic associate unit. With a new mission, more than 550 of the 131st Fighter Wing’s personnel would fly and operate the B-2 Stealth Bomber at Whiteman AFB.

Lt. Col. Jim “Hacksaw” McComas, 110th Fighter Squadron pilot, and Lt. Col. Reed “Snake” Drake, 110th Fighter Squadron pilot, fly over the 131st Fighter Wing, St. Louis, Missouri Sept. 17. The pilots were returning from conducting Aerial Combat Manuevers. (Photo by Capt. Timothy Reinhart)

Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond, a proponent of the Missouri National Guard commented, “I am pleased that the U.S. Air Force found a way to preserve the 131st, one of the most experienced and proven Air Guard units in the country. To be chosen from Air Guard units across the country, this announcement is a real honor for the 131st.”

“As things change, there are new beginnings and with this change our new beginning is at Whiteman in the B-2 bomber,” Col. Leeker said.

For the past three years, the unit has prepared for the transition from the F-15 to the B-2 on two fronts; at Lambert ANGB in St. Louis and about 200 miles away at Whiteman AFB in Knob Noster, Mo. Establishing a new ANG B-2 mission at Whiteman AFB and the drawdown of the F-15 mission at Lambert ANGB not only required unit leaders to split time between two locations, but also required that the unit’s manpower be divided between the two locations.

The extensive planning and coordination with Air Combat Command, National Guard Bureau and within the unit ensured that the unit’s transition was seamless despite the limited manpower and two operating locations.

“Today, we are merely turning the page in our history book. The 131st [FW] and the 110th [FS] lives on,” Col. Leeker said.

Although the decision to put Guardsmen into the B-2 preserved most of the jobs put at risk by the BRAC decisions, firefighter positions were not spared.

“An Air Force’s fighter fighting capability is directly related to its aircraft,” explained Senior Master Sgt. David Maupin, base Fire Chief.