Bitburg Air Base F-15 Zulu Alert Take-Off

[@gearyrocca1927]

I do miss the sound of freedom. Never gets old watching the F-15 fly. I was stationed at Bitbug 86-88 in the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing EMS sheetmetal shop. A lot of good times and memories.

[@malvolio01]

While I was never at Bitburg, a good portion of my childhood was spent at Soesterberg (83-89) and I remember seeing the BT tail markings on the flight line there often.

[@bugsbunny5056]

@@malvolio01 I was also there too; between Sep. 1985 to Sep. 1989. We were at the peak of the “Cold War” and we practiced non-stop ORI exercises and chem. gear. German contractors built us the N.B.C. bunkers (SCIF) but Bitburg AB was CLOSED after the U.S.S.R. dissolved.

[@bugsbunny5056]

We probably met? I knew people in the sheet metal shop.

[@camarotx]

OMG .. I am in that video launching, you can see me marshalling out. SWEET!!! I remember that day ... so damn fun .... LOL ... Best assignment I ever had. '84-'88

[@majscrap2629]

That wasn't '84 or 85. The local markings were different. I know. I put them on. No eagle on the inboard vertical stab. That is the give away. We hated putting on that stupid thing. Also we stopped putting on the Wing Decal in 80. That's a A model. yours would have been c's and d's. Also I caught a glimpse of the number 125 Probably a 75 of 76.

[@M42ap]

I was stationed at BT from January, 1974 until July, 1976 (with the "E" model Phantoms...shortly before I rotated home, the F-15's were coming on station/status, and I crewed one for about six months in Baker section (22nd TFS, 36th TFW). My folks weren't able to visit while I was on station, but they went over during the mid-to-late 80's, after the base had been handed over to the Nationals. Hope to visit someday soon (who knows, maybe even pick up a "smokin' piece" ;-0

[@RednexRool]

Love the AB blow out in the first plane during take off. Gotta love those older engines.

[@cam7375]

Actually, that flame occurs at liftoff when a bit of fuel leaks from center tank connection.

[@JoeyP322]

I was there when the first F-15's arrived at Bitburg in '76 (or was it 77?)... I remember the constant exercises. The best times of my life. Love ya Julie T

[@M42ap]

I don't know how it went after rotating back to the "world", but during my tour, the "ZULU" (Intercept) alert area was manned by "Able" section Mechanics and the "fly guys" of the 525th TFS "Fighting Bulldogs"..."VICTOR" (nuke) alert duty was pulled by the "Baker" and "Charlie" section Mechs, and the air crews of the 22nd "Fighting Stingers" and 53rd TFS "Fighting Bumble Bees". I'll NEVER forget (and you can buy it at your better liquor stores) Bitburger Pils! Loved that stuff..Bitte ein Bit!

[@timothydodd3708]

Myself and 2 friends were stationed in Germany in 1982-4. Mike at Spangdahlem, F-4's, Wally at Bitburg, F-15's, and myself at Hahn, F-16A's. F-111's at lakenheath, and A-10's from I forget where. Good days indeed. Despite our brand new F-16's, I was jealous of Walt working the F-15's.Especially after he got a ride in Balls 8.

[@amishmike1]

Your post sounds like a Dos Gringos song lol :)

[@TXnine7nine]

Weren't there F-16s at Ramstein back then too? A-10s at Spangdahlem?

[@timothydodd3708]

letu87 Hahn got the first F-16's in Dec. 1981 If I remember correctly. I worked the last F-4, a hyd. leak at E.O.R. . I told him "Hey, I'm a B-52 guy, lol" What's a hell hole? (The space behing the nose gear, between the missile launchers, packed full of hyd. gear) We snugged a fitting and he was gone. Spang had F-4's when I was there.

[@18dmedic]

+Timothy Dodd I have done some digging around and found these four locations for the A-10's in West Germany. The 81st TFW of RAF Bentwaters/RAF Woodbridge operated rotating detachments of A-10s at four bases in Germany known as Forward Operating Locations (FOLs): Leipheim, Sembach Air Base, Nörvenich, and Ahlhorn.

[@bikecommuter24]

Sembach Kaserene (formerly Sembach Air Base) is now a U.S Army Base

[@drinksnapple8997]

My father was a Flight Surgeon at Bitburg during this time. During the summers I used to cut the grass around the "ZULU" hangar. Got to go down that fireman's pole a few times.

[@GrueTSC]

I spent '83-'85 at Bit as a CFR firefighter...fond memories!

[@M42ap]

As a result of being assigned to Baker Section, I was (when not TDY to either Zaragoza or Aviano) pulling "Victor" alert duty, and I dare say that there isn't any video of THAT...or if there IS, "Uncle" has it by now! Loved every moment of the time "in country"!

[@colindhowell]

@PeoplesWar This is from Gwynne Dyer's "War", a television miniseries released in 1983. I'm not sure which episode it was. "War" actually has an overall antiwar theme, but it's also one of the best war documentaries ever made. It does a wonderful job of explaining the historical development of war, and specifically "total war", as well as the nature of being a soldier and the experience of combat. While it's surely dated now, it's still worth watching as long as you keep its era in mind.

[@MrLandry2010]

Yes it’s good even though a lot has changed in 37 years. I remember watching this on public tv as a rerun when I was 15. Another good series was Soldiers A History Of Men In Battle.

[@hillbillyb4u]

That's the sound of freedom. Bitburg Lox plant 84-87

[@malvolio01]

I grew up at Camp New Amsterdam, 32nd TFs. 84-90. My father was an Eagle driver. Heard it every day. Never got tired of it.

[@alexandervandehaar8359]

@@malvolio01 just so you know. There are people, I am one of them, that still miss them. Can you please tell your father and thank him. I salute him and all Wolfhounds !

[@johngreen397]

Zweibrucken LOX plant 79-81/ We drove over and visited the LOX plants at Bitburg and Hahn in 79.

[@Rocdog]

36th SPS 89-91

[@TheLeadSled]

F15 an incredible platform with an incredible performance. I still miss the old F14 tomcats and for me the most iconic US bird of all the F4 Phantom II.

[@michaelfski]

I was there from 85 - 88 (A-Shop, 525). Loved every minute of it.

[@hummingbird9221]

We were stationed there '66-'69. I miss it so much!

[@manfredrunis8918]

i was stationed at Bitburg AB from 1980 -1982 as a acft mech 431 i work on the zulu alert wow does this brig back memories

[@KodenameKrusty]

Hey man I was there from 1979 to 1981 525 Bulldog crew chief.

[@tooligan113]

Same time frame 36th. CRS Can't Remember (S*%T) Jet Engine Mechanic (42636) on Flight line Jan. 80-82.

[@dutchomatic]

Proud to have been Autos Shop there from 91 to 94. Best assignment ever.

[@robertcooney9139]

Was at Bit from 86-90, AGE mech. Greatest time ever!

[@hillbillyb4u]

Loved it in Bit. Worked in the LOX plant from 84-87

[@hauitsme5678]

There was still at least 1 F-104 zulu alert aircraft there during 1978-80 while stationed there along with the newly arrived F-15A & B's. Whether it was still 'active' or not I don't know. I left just as the base was changing over to the C/D's. Also remember eating LOTS of bratwurst, currywurst & pommes frites Bitte ein Bit :>)

[@wiesenbefeuchter]

A -104 ? You must be joking.

[@hauitsme5678]

So SORRY for not seeing this colossal blunder - it was a F-106 that was still flying during the Alert transition to F-15's. The West Germans were flying the F-104's, our F-4's were stationed next door at Spangdahlem. I remember using yards of F-4 tape repairing F-15's LOL :>)

[@KodenameKrusty]

The only f-104 I remember being there was the one that belly landed then they hauled that scrap into one of the unused bunker type building in Able squadron

[@ShaunaPirahna]

That sure brings back some memories... What a PARTY!!! I served from 92-93... I loved the roar of the planes first thing in the morning; then the BOOM when the broke the barrier...

[@hummerzdca]

I was there for the first F-15s after they cleared out the F-4s! I did Zulu ‘77-‘80. Still got a pic when we had the dark blue jumpsuits! Loved it!

[@brucechalk8461]

WAS AT BITBURG FROM 76-79. WAS THERE WHEN BRIG. GEN FRED KYLER LANDED THE FIRST F-15 THERE FOLLOWED BY 73 OTHERES. (2 TRAINERS AND 3 SQUADRONS OF 24).ALL WERE IN THE AIR AT SAME TIME. SOME GREAT TIMES-HARD WORK BUT LOTS OF FUN FAMILY FRIENDS. 36TH TFW THE VERY BEST.

[@amishmike1]

36th TFW was the tip of the spear in the late 70s and early 80s. Seems like everyone who served at Bitburg during that time period remembers it fondly.

[@gascan1201]

I got to be on the flight line that day....was just a kid

[@roadrodent1952]

Was at Bit 1977-1979. Worked AMS (RDR, INS, HUD, Central comp.). Remeber a night when the AGE were getting a little rowdy over the radio making pig squeals, cow moos, and other animal sounds. All of a sudden someone came over the radio with "AHH AHH, EEE EEE, TOOKIE TOOKIE!!". For about the next 20 min. all you got over that channel was "George, George, George of the jungle strong as he can be. Watch out for that TREEEE!!"

[@thomaslamb9691]

Brings back memories. I was in Ammo ( Missile Control 87-89 ). Loved being at Bitburg.

[@ipdjbt]

IYAAYAS! 89-91

[@JoeyP322]

I was at Bitburg 75-79, I was right in front when the first F-15 flew in and landed. Good times there

[@grandparails8858]

I was at Langley AFB 77-81 we prepped all of the F-15's that went over there.

[@JoeyP322]

@@grandparails8858 awesome... the good old says

[@grandparails8858]

@@JoeyP322 yes sir, I do miss the flightline.

[@allgood6760]

Awesome!... and the F15 still flying in 2022 ✈️👍

[@newtekdb]

Was there 77-79 when the F-15A first arrived there. 36th OMS Able SQ-525 TFW. Was there when Col. Yeager came and did a Max Climb. AWESOME! My 2nd oldest son was born there also. Miss West Germany!

[@majscrap2629]

Max Climb. Always a favorite. Even before the football games.

[@brucechalk8461]

I wAS THERE IN 1976-1979. WORK IN MATERIAL CONTROL ON THE FLIGHTLINE. BRIG. GENERAL FRED KYLER HAD 3 SQUADRONS OF 24 AIRCRAFT AND TWO TRAINING MODELS IN THE AIR AT ONE TIME. THEY ALL LANDED SAFELY NOT ONE HAD TO TURN BACK. THOUSAND OF PEOPLE WERE THERE AS THE ALIT 3 AT ONE TIME. AN EXCITING TIME TO BE A MEMBER OF THE 36TFW.

[@travissloan6864]

This clip comes from a 1983 documentary titled "War with Gwynne Dyer Part 5, Keeping The Old Game Alive."

[@ArianaRoxSox]

193MDS Lived Off base across from the HOSPital next to Harkees....Best Assignment of My Air Force Career!!!

[@kathrynmaxwell5910]

F15 rules. Thank you Air Force for ruling the sky’s. Best pilots in the world. Go Air Force. Let’s Fly ✈️🇺🇸

[@joeminella5315]

I was with 615th AC&W at Birkenfeld and 601st at Giebelstadt, 1967 - 70. We scrambled and controlled guys from Bitburg and other bases. I think they were flying F-104s then!

[@TalksWithDirt]

Remember folks the F-15 was a act of a despiration. We had no idea of they would hold the line against the 4 to1 ration of combat aircraft from the Warsaw Pact vs NATO. As history has shown both sides would have had some rather shocking surprises.

[@markhedtke3738]

I was atc at the gca 78-80 brings back goog memories ,thamk for the vedio

[@MYcoloradoplateau]

@kawi1167 ...me too, 22 AMU 90-94. Man I miss the sound of a JFS firing up in the distance. Still haunting after all this time.

[@RightCenterBack321]

@colindhowell Thank you so much! This documentary sounds worth checking out. Definitely up my alley.

[@colindhowell]

@chug26 Must be early 1980s, probably around 1981-1982, since it was taken from Gwynne Dyer's miniseries "War", which was released in 1983.

[@horizonandsky8989]

This is a absolutely the Best of the Best!!!!!

[@majscrap2629]

I was there when they filmed that. They filmed a bunch of other stuff too.

[@Hattonbank]

I know it's a good while ago, but strange that no one has commented on the mighty F-105's that were based at Bitburg before they were deployed to Korat and Takhli in Thailand.

[@donaldwilliams271]

I was station there for 3 yrs. seen them take off a few times, worked at the fire station on the trucks

[@horizonandsky8989]

Wonderful perfectly Eagle Video!!!

[@marinenut68]

I noticed that neither one of the pilots put on their parachute harness, survival vest, or G-suit.

[@prismstudios001]

!NUDE FLY WE WEEK XT

[@msgtjeff]

Was there in the middle 70's when Bitburg swapped out F4's for F15's. Wearing the beret of the SF's. Of course it was a bit more complicated than a "swap out". . .LOL

[@hamwallet13]

it's funny that the narrator calls the F-15 "delicate"

[@RightCenterBack321]

Awesome videos. I love these late-'70s, early-'80s Cold War videos. Anyone know the exact year of this documentary?

[@ambmar3149]

My family was there 78-81 and 87-90, my grandpa is actually one of the pilots in this video. Is there any way I can get you to email this video to me so I can put it on a dvd for him?

[@cripplehawk]

I miss those red white and blue roundals on the side. But I understand why they had to change it for camo purposes.

[@colindhowell]

@camarotx You sure about the starting year? The miniseries from which this was taken was released in 1983.

[@hbnkasflik3202]

strange half a cenciory now and the f15 is still in service and production

[@juliomaldonado4028]

It is amazing isn't it? The new F16V, F18 Super Hornets, and F15Xs are expected to serve past 2040. Maybe even in the 2060s.

[@jerrymejias5940]

What is the blue thing the pilot is wearing underneath his helmet?

[@alyceavary5542]

What year is this? My dad was there in 79, it's where I took my first steps. Watching this makes it easier to picture what he's talking about. And as he watched this, he was yelling at the 2nd plane "Gear Up!!! Too slow!" LOL

[@georgec7155]

1981

[@faizalgefferie7403]

can someone share the link of the whole documentary? please :)

[@freightdog208]

I know it's been 5 years, but just in case. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXu4Znd6nZV3e8U The Bitburg scene happens about 30 mins in.

[@bdh985]

Anyone know what this clip is from? I'd like to try and find the rest of it in some form.

[@Jhorak101]

Looks like AB blow outs or compressor stalls on take off.

[@TheRealCFF]

That looked like an engine failure on takeoff post V1. Bird strike or some other cause?

[@JimTurnerTech]

Excellent!

[@bja2024]

These guys are not sitting alert to do ground attack. The A/C models were air to air. Gunslingers if you like. While TAC made some feeble and I’ll conceived attempts to multi-role the A models in the late 70’s the F-15 E came along and saved everybody.

[@stangcolbra]

Was there 66 to 69 crew chief F4Ds

[@hummingbird9221]

We were there at the same time!

[@abergethirty]

Was this narrated by Dave Rabbit?

[@dennishightower8886]

I was station there feb 1990-1993

[@IrishManJT]

Nice.

[@timslater9086]

Good old days, before G suits were invented.

[@prismstudios001]

Flight gear? NAH, WE DONT NEED IT......

[@f16boyhaxton]

I love the pilot starting to taxi while the crew chief is holding him! Typical pilots, never watch the marshaller

[@TheKeithvidz]

America's air superiority means it needen't spend a gazillion on the F35. In a fight against Soviets it could very well face its equivalent SU 27 - built to enter europe's airspace.

[@MrLandry2010]

While these planes were taking off the Soviet missiles or fighters would be inbound if war started.

[@MsAbbadabbadoo]

Ha, my dad had a squadron in Spang that pulled Zulu Alert for Christmas, so he had all the families join them in the heavily secured hut by the jets waiting on the tarmac with their payloads of tac nukes for East Germany. We watched Casper the Friendly Ghost and Wizard of OZ on reel to reel. I found the only girlie pic they failed to conceal from the kids. Dad presumed we'd never attack on Christmas Day, maybe Hanoi, but not the East Germans. Don't all kids party like it's the end of the world on Christmas Day?

[@reidsoria3761]

Where's this from?

[@GrayFoxROU]

Bitburg AB in the defunct West Germany, but it's no longer operational.

[@reidsoria3761]

@@GrayFoxROU Is this from some kind of VHS?

[@stijnvandamme76]

their job would be crucial : attacking ground forces yeah nah.. not with an F15C it ain't

[@Calimari459]

1:40

[@tooligan113]

36th. CRS Can't Remember (S*%T) Jet Engine Mechanic (42636) on Flight line Jan. 80-82.

[@umeng2002]

We gaan

[@amoskorenwithrealtyexecuti4619]

scramble not worth jack when can't shoot down737s over the pentagon.

[@マクレーンジョン-o8j]

音と映像合ってないな

[@geronimocha7471]

👹👹