“The Vampire Bats”

The 44th Fighter Squadron is stationed at Kadena AB, Japan. the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron received their first F-15C/D’s in 1979. In September 1991 the unit re-designated as he 44th Fighter Squadron and in

1995 the Vampire Bats selected their first ever unit motto: “Desmodus Vinco Umbique” Which means Vampire Bats Prevail Anywhere.

From mid 1996 to earl 1997, the 44th upgraded their F-15s with night vision imaging system (NIVS), becoming the first active duty Air Force unit with NIVS. This modification allows 44th FS crews to use the Night Vision Goggles without being blinded by the bright white lights of the cockpit at night. The 44th FS Eagles wear the ZZ tailcode with a black tail stripe.

A group of F-15 Eagles from the 44th FS during Cope North 21 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 5, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathan Valdes Montijo)

Pilots from the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 18th Tactical Fighter Wing, attend a pre-flight briefing before a mission during the joint Thai-U.S. training Exercise Cobra Gold ’92.

Eagles from the 44th Fighter Squadron,during “TANDEM THRUST ’97”.(DoD Photo)

An F-15C Eagle departs for a training mission Sept. 14, 2020, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Peter Reft)

The Eagle’s Nest: 35 Years of Kadena’s F-15s

by Senior Airman Maeson L. Elleman
18 Wing Public Affairs

9/29/2014 – KADENA AIR BASE, Japan — September 29, 2014, marks an anniversary for arguably one of the most effective, battle-tested and world-feared pieces of equipment to join the Keystone of the Pacific’s full-time arsenal.

When the Eagle’s wheels first touched Kadena’s flightline in the fall of 1979, F-15C and D models were still fresh off the production line. But like so many seasoned veterans, the Eagle and the Okinawa squadrons that flew them have had to adapt to counter the ever-changing threat over the years.

While most people don’t maintain a personal vehicle for more than 10 years, the Air Force maintainers and operators here have ensured the safe operation of the airframe throughout the years with countless thorough inspections and repairs.

At Kadena alone, the F-15C/D squadrons have earned the title of best Air Force fighter squadron of the year and the prestigious Raytheon Trophy, formerly the Hughes Trophy, nine times since the aircraft’s arrival.

For three and a half decades, the Kadena-stationed F-15C Eagle, a twin-engine, air superiority fighter jet, has maintained a prominent presence within the Asia-Pacific region and an indisputable role in Air Force mission security around the globe.

With a perfect record of more than 100 confirmed kills and no combat losses in operations and contingencies ranging from Turkey and Bosnia to Iraq and Afghanistan, the Eagle has proven itself time and again. The jet is responsible for 34 of the 37 Air Force air-to-air victories in Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

“The plane itself is amazing,” said 1st Lt. Lance Coldren, 67th Fighter Squadron historian and F-15 pilot. “It’ll always take you to war and bring you back – the 104-0 combat record proves that. Since Korea, there’s never been an American ground troop attacked by (enemy) aircraft because of our air superiority, and the Eagle has been a part of that since it entered service.

“I think it’s really cool to fly such an old jet that was built … and designed before I was born, and it’s still prevalent today,” Coldren said. “It’s still one of our forefronts of our air superiority today. I like the mission … It’s fun, challenging, exciting.”

Much like the aircraft’s predecessor, the F-4 Phantom, which was upgraded several times before being retired, the Eagle advanced a few of its own major components – the central computer, a Programmable Armament Control Set, and of course radar, which received another round of upgrades this year.

“It was called the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing in 1979 … The first were assigned to the 67th, 44th, and 12th Fighter Squadrons and replaced the F-4C Phantoms,” said Casey Connell, former 18th Wing historian. “It had better range, avionics and air-to-air capability.”

However, as it replaced F-4 before it, so too will the Eagle see the end of its career someday – after all, it’s already older than most junior enlisted Airmen and young NCOs that maintain it. Though the longevity is an obvious testament to the original aeronautical engineers who designed the jet and maintainers who repair it today, it’s still only a matter of time before the new generation of multi-role fighter jets replaces F-15s for good.

It’s apparent Eagles have already left behind a prevalent airborne history. Until the day it says goodbye to the Pacific and retires, the jet will continue to take to the skies alongside other U.S. Department of Defense and allied nations’ aircraft.

Vampire Bats named Air Force’s top air superiority squadron

by Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Doyle
18th Wing Public Affairs

3/5/2013 – KADENA AIR BASE, Japan — Gen. Herbert Carlisle, Pacific Air Forces commander, recently announced Kadena’s 44th Fighter Squadron “Vampire Bats” as the winner of the Raytheon Trophy for 2012

A 44th Fighter Squadron F-15 Eagle fighter aircraft goes through a “bat bath” recently on Kadena Air Base, Japan. The “Vampire Bats” run their aircraft through the bath after the last sortie each day to wash off salt water. (Courtesy photo by Jake Melampy)

Awarded annually since 1953, the Raytheon trophy is awarded to the top air-superiority or air-defense squadron in the Air Force. Units are not only evaluated on operational mission performance, training and organization as a whole, but also individual achievements, awards and unit incentive programs.

The 44th FS closed out the year with more than 3,000 sorties, logging more than 5,000 hours of flying; and also provided air superiority for 11 countries across three continents.

“I would just like to thank all the Airmen for their professionalism, hard work and sacrifices that ultimately made this award possible,” said Lt. Col. David Eaglin, 44th FS commander. “The 44th FS was deployed for over 290 days, and that kind of operation tempo can take a toll on our Airmen and their families. To their credit, no one ever complained. They just packed a bag, suited up and did what they were asked to do.”

In 2012, the squadron did more for global United States’ interests both at home and abroad than any other fighter squadron in the world.

The Vampire Bats re-wrote a joint and combined operational plan which is now being adopted verbatim by Allied Forces Central Europe. They also participated in two major contingency deployments, three flag-level exercises, six international training exercises, five operational readiness exercises and four international air shows

“Whether flying from their forward-based home in the Pacific or protecting joint assets throughout the world, the Vampire Bats always delivered unparalleled air supremacy,” said Lt. Gen. Stanley Kresge, Pacific Air Forces vice commander.

During the year, the squadron proved they were the best not only as a whole, but individually as well. Airmen from the 44th FS were awarded various awards: Bronze Star, Air medals, Air Force Commendation medals and Air Force Achievement medals.

“They have set themselves apart as dominant air superiority warriors,” said Carlisle. “Their long legacy, from flying some of the first sorties on Dec. 7, 1941, to combat sorties in U.S. Central Command, have proved them worthy to join the long line of excellence that spans 57 years of Raytheon trophy competition.”

A 44th Fighter Squadron pilot takes off in an F-15 Eagle fighter aircraft recently from Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 44th FS was recently awarded the Raytheon Trophy for 2012. Awarded annually since 1953, the Raytheon trophy is awarded to the top air-superiority or air-defense squadron in the Air Force. (Courtesy photo by Jake Melampy)

‘Vampire Bats’ take to skies of Alaska

by Marine Sgt. Zachary Dyer
Northern Edge 2009 Joint Information Bureau

6/25/2009 – ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska — Northern Edge 2009 is a joint training exercise connecting approximately 9,000 servicemembers from throughout the country and throughout the world, and involving more than 200 aircraft. Some of those service members and aircraft came from as far away as Kadena Air Force Base, Japan.

Pilots and maintenance personnel from the 44th Fighter Squadron and the 44th Aircraft Maintenance Unit made the trip to the ‘Last Frontier’ to participate in the largest military training exercise in Alaska, June 15-26.

The 44th FS, known as the “Vampire Bats,” brought 12 of their F-15 Eagles to add their own “sound of freedom” to the Alaskan skies. During the exercise, the ‘Bats have the opportunity to train alongside Navy and Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets, F-22 Raptors and C-17 Globemasters.

“It’s a great opportunity to work with other units, other platforms,” said Capt. Michael Kuehni, a F-15 pilot with the 44th FS. “We have the Air Force, Navy, Marine and Army working all together to achieve a common objective.”

The pilots of the 44th FS will train in counter-air operations, close air support, and air interdiction of maritime targets during the two-week exercise. The overall focus of Northern Edge is to prepare each of the services to respond to a crisis in the Asia-Pacific region.

Northern Edge also gives the pilots of the 44th FS the chance to see how well the different services work together and the strengths and weaknesses that each service brings to the table in different situations, according to Kuehni.

While the pilots are up in the sky, the Airmen of the 44th AMU are working on the ground to make sure the pilots are able to stay there.

“Its pretty impressive getting to work with all the services,” said Master Sgt. Eric Butts, the maintenance project officer for the 44th AMU. “I’ve worked with a lot of Marines and a lot of Navy guys so far to help create the whole process. Just to have the opportunity to bring all 12 F-15s that we brought, plus the 120-body maintenance package, has been an absolutely fantastic time so far. It’s been a good experience.”

Northern Edge provides a great training experience for many of the young Airmen that the 44th AMU brought with them, according to Butts. The operational tempo of the exercise means the Airmen get a lot of hands-on maintenance time on the aircraft to make sure they are always ready to fly.

“We brought quite a few new guys on this trip,” said Butts. “Most of them, this is actually their first (TDY, and it’s good for them to actually see what it actually takes to put the mission together.”

The young Airmen on the line making sure their aircraft are ready to answer the call appreciate the opportunity to be part of something as large as Northern Edge.

“I think it’s great because it replicates a real-world scenario – if a real-world crisis was to happen,” said Airman 1st Class Brendan Lowry, a F-15 crew chief with the 44th AMU. “Being maintainers, we don’t really interact that much with the other service members. But the pilots, they’re doing some really cool stuff up there with the other services.”

F-15 Eagles from the 44th Fighter Squadron, Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, take part in exercise Northern Edge 2009, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, June 17, 2009. (Released/U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt Dennis J. Henry Jr.)

A flight of F-15C Eagles from the 44th Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, flies during a total solar eclipse over the island of Okinawa, Japan July 22, 2009. The eclipse was a rare opportunity for service members stationed here to witness this unique event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Chad Warren)

A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle pilot sits in the cockpit on the flight line at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, June 2, 2020. . (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Giovanni Sims)

44th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deployed at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, June 2, 2020. T. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Giovanni Sims)

Col. George Haws, Rick Current and Carroll Chandler at Kadena AB, Japan

Col. George Hawks on the left holding the Vampire Plaque with Mike Conner Ops Officer on the right. All pilots and NCO’s have the same haircuts as Col. George Hawks This was a going away picture when Col. Hawks turned over the Squadron in 87. (via Col. George Hawks)

Two F-15 Eagle aircraft of the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron taxi along the flight line at the conclusion of Exercise CORAL SEA ’85.

Capt. Roper Worley, the 44th Fighter Squadron (FS), Kadena Air Force Base (AFB), Okinawa, Japan, removes his helmet after conducting a routine mission on April 28, 2003 (photo made by SSGT Michael R. Picklo)

F-15C Eagles from the 44th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron takeoff in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Aug. 25, 2020 (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cary Smith)

An F-15 Eagle aircraft of the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron taxis on the flight line during the joint U.S./Japan exercise Cope North 85-4. at Nyutabaru Air Base (SSGT. James R. Ferguson)

A fourship of F-15s prepares to take off for a training sortie Feb. 22, 2012. The 44th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, deployed from Kadena Air Base, Japan, flies with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia. Their mission is both deterrence as part of the defense of the Persian Gulf and training with partners in the region.

An F-15 Eagle taxis prior to a training sortie Feb. 22, 2012. The 44th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, deployed from Kadena Air Base, Japan

A fourship of F-15s prepares to take off for a training sortie Feb. 22, 2012. The 44th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, deployed from Kadena Air Base, Japan, flies with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia. Their mission is both deterrence as part of the defense of the Persian Gulf, and training with partners in the region.