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Aviation History
1989
1989 - 0028.PDF
F-15 Eagles of the 57th fighter interceptor squadron patrol the boundaries of the Iceland Military Air Defence Identification Zone (MadizJ Above P-3C Orions at Keflavik taxi on two engines to give them maximum endurance "on task". Right An HH-3E "Jolly Green Giant" of the 56th aerospace rescue and recovery squadron sets off on a rescue mission from its Icelandic base is to provide air defence throughout the Greenland-Iceland-UK (Giuk) gap and intercept any unknown aircraft entering the Icelandic Military Air Defence Identification Zone (Madiz). Assistance in the unit's air interception task is provided by the two E-3A Sentry aircraft of the 960th Awacs squadron, and one KC-135R tanker on detachment from the 306th Strategic Wing of the European Tanker Force, which is based at RAF Mild- enhall, in the UK. According to Col Allan Guarino, the Black Knights' commanding officer, the squadron typically flies 16 sorties per day. Intercepts of Soviet aircraft are commonplace, 140 per year being a normal total. Two F-15s are permanently on station to perform this role. They can scramble at less than five minutes notice to intercept and identify a target located inside the Madiz. Armed with two AIM-7M missiles and 940 rounds of 20mm ammunition, the two aircraft carry 22,0001b of fuel, which gives them an unrefuelled endurance of about 4hr. The operational environment of high- gusting crosswinds (30kt is not uncommon), and a nearest diversion airfield more than 700 n.m. away (RAF Leuchars in Scotland), makes Iceland one of the toughest places in the world in which to fly, according to Guarino. For this reason only experienced pilots are chosen for the 57th FIS. Most are on their second tours, and have attained the rank of captain or above. Guarino tells Flight, "We fly all year round in anti-exposure suits. The water is just too cold." Standard flying kit comprises two layers of underwear, an anti-exposure suit, and fire-retardant flying overalls. "Pilots on standby relax in long Johns and T-shirts, but can still don flying kit and get airborne in less than five minutes," Guarino claims. Russian interception Most Soviet aircraft intercepts achieved inside the Madiz by the 57th FIS involve Tu-95 Bear-Fs (the antisubmarine variant) and Bear-Ds (the naval reconnaissance vari ant). Bear-H bombers are located from time to time in the Madiz, as are Soviet Tu-26 Backfire bombers. Notice of a contact approaching the identification zone often originates from radar stations in Norway. Information is then distributed to Nato radar stations, including that in Iceland, and the order is then given to launch an E-3A to gather the data needed on which to base a decision to scramble the F-15s. In support of aircraft operating in the North Atlantic, the USAF has a search and rescue unit based at Keflavik, the 56th aero space rescue and recovery squadron (ARRS), under the command of a USAF lieutenant colonel). This position is currently held by Lt Col Charles Griffin. The squadron has three Sikorsky HH-3E "Jolly Green Giant" helicopters which can be refuelled in flight from an HC-130 assigned on rotation from the 67th Special Operations Group at RAF Woodbridge, in the UK. The squadron has 14 pilots, 6 flight engineers, and 8 para-rescuemen. The remainder of its 54 personnel provide main tenance and support to ensure that a serviceable aircraft is always available to attend an incident anywhere in the area around the island. A typical sortie under taken by the squadron might be 300 miles out from Keflavik. This can be covered by an HH-3E without the need for inflight refuelling. If the Hercules is enlisted, a 700-mile range becomes possible. Liaison between the 56th ARRS and the 26 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 7 January 1989
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