F-15E Strike Eagle Enters Service - "Junior" Suminsby, F-15E Initial Cadre

[@matthewnewnham-runner-writer]

Excellent interview. Thanks, Rob (@rsuminsby) and Steve (@10percenttrue). As a short-lived F-111 guy (Mtn Home RTU, then Lakenheath) in the same timeframe as Rob, this was very interesting and enjoyable. Like Rob, I still remember so much from all those years ago (though not tech/avionics specifics), and really enjoy these interviews.

[@104thMaverick]

Junior was a blast to listen to, what a funny guy his enthusiasm was infectious!

[@rsuminsby]

One point I meant to cover, and forgot: How the airplane got its name. The term "Strike Eagle" was a MacAir marketing term, but in the 1980s, "Strike" was essentially a synonym for "Nuclear", and with relations with the Soviet Union starting to thaw, we all figured that terminology wasn't going to be the message the US wanted to send. But when Gen Robert "Big City Bob" Russ, the TAC Commander, came to Luke in April 1988 for the F-15E Activation Ceremony, he used the term Strike Eagle in his speech. So we all looked at each other and said "well, I guess that settles that!"

[@sedlo]

Ha! Golden Rule in effect!

[@Dan-qp1el]

Hi Rob Curious why the F-15 didn't get the same g-limiting protections as the F-16? As I understand it. you could wring out the 16 to its limits but the computer would protect the aircraft. I get the impression that one had to be more careful with the Eagle? Thank you for you service to our nation.

[@rsuminsby]

@@Dan-qp1el - the F-15 does have a fly-by-wire flight control system, but it operates in parallel with the hydro-mechanical system, so there was no limiter (hence the phrase “if I need 10Gs, then I’ll do as I please…”.) The F-16 had a slight advantage over the Eagle in initiating a break turn, in that they could command a very high G-onset rate without worrying about an over G.

[@LRRPFco52]

Great interview! 86-0183 was F-15E #1. I remember when she arrived at Edwards AFB on the F-15 CTF with that nose marking. It arrived in March of '87. I remember seeing it at the CTF and flight line that year. We were still on the F-16C Block 30 & 40 A2A capes expansion at the IFAST Bldg at the time.

[@forthwithtx5852]

I worked on F-15 A/B at Holloman through the ‘80’s. I think it was 1989 that we deployed to Luke and saw the brand new E. Looked weird with the conformals, but cool. “Funny” story: We used JP-4 exclusively at Holloman, but Luke used JP-8, which was a thinner fuel. Our jets immediately began leaking through every marginally good connection, which had us removing panels that had never been removed before. A decade or more of paint. So, I spent practically the entire TDY removing stuck screws. Great interview. Really enjoyed that.

[@Spirit-jm6ll]

Thanks Steve and Rob for this episode. An absolutely fascinating look into the Strike Eagle entering service! I was associated with this program in the early 80’s as the McAir Flight Test Engineer for 71-0291. I had the privilege to work with Gary Jennings, the Program Pilot, as well as Wayne Wight, who performed the WSO duties during the A/G radar development and initial weapon deliveries (BDU-33). Seeing the ground radar images improve during the program, the addition of Pave Tack to further sweeten our targeting results; those were amazing times with truly impressive and hard working people. A/C 71-0291, the second two-seat Eagle ever built, was also the first to fly with the prototype conformal fuel tanks and prior to the Dual Role Fighter Program and its “lizard green” paint, it sported the red/white/blue bicentennial colors. Unfortunately, its fate was to become a battle damage repair trainer at Warner-Robbins.

[@therocinante3443]

What a criminally under-rated channel!

[@FoursInHot]

Great segment with Rob. Plus 10 for having the best heritage room seen to date. Is that a 20mm gun barrel and every squadron scarf Rob wore? The only thing more impressive was his articulate and expert knowledge of the Strike Eagle... Most us pilots refer to crap as magic. Rob was one of the early dudes who understood the technology and taught the jet to the Air Force... Great segment.

[@sashD7609]

Another really great interview. The one thing I like about this interview, is it isn't just about flying the F-15E but it is really about the story of introducing the F-15E into service.

[@tlfflt1983]

Really enjoyed the interview. It was great to hear from the F-111 transition perspective - how a great airframe can really keep getting better with electronics and software upgrades. There was no room in the F-111 for anything. We could not even get a new parachute on the overweight capsule knowing we could not survive a landing without likely back injury. I never would have guessed that the initial cadre were all patch wearers. A great success story well told. Thanks

[@garyklett405]

Man, that was a 'blast from the past'! Junior covered stuff that I had forgotten about for years. I didn't get into the F-15E until the summer of '90 and a lot of the basic tactics had been largely worked out by those guys he talked about, but there was still a lot of experimentation with tactics. Way different today. 3-1 is the bible and not much "lets try this" getting briefed. Great discussion.

[@10percenttrue]

Thanks for watching, Reverend.

[@rsuminsby]

Good to hear from you, Rev!

[@stevenc1978]

Another amazing interview, this makes me want to cancel my cable tv & just listen to more of your great channel ❤

[@terrancemccaffrey9954]

This was an awesome interview Steve! I loved listening to the development of the jet and especially the contrast and connections to the Vark. The one question you asked about the radar generated instrument landing system was a good one. It was, in fact, developed for the exact situation you described. The reason we didn't do it very often is it is not a certified approach because it cannot insure separation from any obstacle. I remember practicing in VFR at Heyford on several occasions so that we were proficient. There, you opened another memory! Anyway, thanks again for continuing to produce such high quality programs! Marco

[@10percenttrue]

Great info, Marco 🥇

[@patrickshaw8333]

Wow, this was a great discussion and very entertaining. I crossed paths with Junior several times during our Air Force careers--the Air Staff, command courses, etc. I am amazed at how much he recalls and how he still looks like he could be a new lieutenant in the RTU ;-) Thank you Steve!

[@10percenttrue]

Thanks, Patrick. Not sure whether Junior is still monitoring comments here, but will let him know about your response next time I message him.

[@rsuminsby]

Thanks Pat! You need to do an interview with Steve about the development of the GBU-28 during DESERT STORM!

[@renopelletier4952]

Nice job, Junior!

[@robo3915]

Well this was great! It’s another one of yours that I’ll be listening to a few times! I’m going to re-listen to the F-15E interview with Stinger now.

[@matthewnewnham-runner-writer]

Just got round to the bit about drinking Bloody Marys in the Red Flag (ops) building on a Sunday. That would have been fun. During my three stints there on the Green Flag team ('84-'86, where I led the afternoon mass debriefs), we never had alcohol in that building. But I did learn to run the Friday afternoon debriefs at a rapid clip so we could all jump in our cars and get back to the O' Club to start Happy Hour. When 617 Squadron were participating, they brought several barrels of Bass Ale with them. I rushed the 150 or so fellow fighter jocks through the debrief in record time and a very good time was had by all that night. I still have my RAF flight suit - exchanged with Sqn Ldr Andy Young on the spur in the midst of a group at the club that night.

[@KernowekTim]

Another excellent interview Steve. BTW, I managed to buy a brand new copy of your book on the F15E three weeks ago. I was very lucky to secure it. What an excellent book it surely is; a marvelously in-depth study, yet so readable and easily understandable for the 'average Joe' like myself. You certainly did 'the hard yards', and they most definitively payed dividends. Your book 'Boeing F15E Strike Eagle' is 'off the charts': a superb study. Thank you.

[@stephenhampton7444]

I love the F-15E mudhun so much really liked this video 😄

[@10percenttrue]

Thanks, Stephen. I am recording "Going to war in the Strike Eagle" this week - four dudes who took the jet to Desert Shield/Storm in 1990/91. Should be fun!

[@shawnbillions1886]

Sacramento in here

[@stephenharrison7651]

Excellent Steve, keep up the good work.

[@10percenttrue]

Thanks, Stephen. Will try my best!

[@bcthomas2h90]

A very informative interview with a lot of important information, and related in a straight-forward, interesting and sometimes hilarious dialogue. Well done!

[@rsuminsby]

Thanks, BC!

[@singlesprocket]

Great interview, thanks gentlemen. Had to split viewing into bite-size chunks it was so long but it was worth it. Would make a great updated edition of a book 😉. Could you co-interview a current/recent strike eagle driver/WSO? Would like to hear about SDB comparison etc.

[@juslee746]

Your videos are excellent in many ways. Very informative and I love the long format.

[@guffroofing]

Thank you

[@gwizdolby]

Grat stuff!

[@justsmy5677]

👍this brought back memories! Steve - long time no see. How have you been?

[@10percenttrue]

Mike? MQT Magot?

[@justsmy5677]

@@10percenttrue yes, Mike from our days at Lakenheath, early 2000s.😎

[@10percenttrue]

@@justsmy5677 Smy! email me! [e-mail]

[@markk364]

I was not on that ship during vietnam!

[@georgiogorge]

This is a comment. Hooray!

[@10percenttrue]

🥇

[@sharizabel2582]

I think the only squadron that was cleared IMC TF was the one in AK.

[@rsuminsby]

I was initial cadre in that Sq as well. I remember flying TF in some pretty marginal weather conditions, but I don’t think we were approved for IMC. Might have come later.

[@sharizabel2582]

I made it there in 2001

[@averagejoe1943]

I wonder if he had StarBaby???

[@tonyledsham2810]

The big difference between the F-15 and the F-18A was “real estate”. There was no room in the F/A-18 for more avionics. The Super Hornet has addressed this gap. The Super Hornet can even be configured as an AAR refueller. And, as a dedicated ECM/SEAD platform. The F-15 is well-capable of doing this as well (“real estate”) but the rivalry between the USAF and the USN has hindered that. The crazy thing is that they’re now both produced by Boeing. He talks about the differences between the F-16 and the F-15. They are not comparable. The F/A-18 Super Hornet is a far better comparator.

[@SavageHenry0311]

Al. Gore. Rhythm.