F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing taxi down the flightline April 16, 2012, during a Turkey Shoot training mission at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. The wing generated nearly 70 aircraft to destroy more than 1,000 targets on bombing ranges across the state to commemorate the 4th FW's victory over the Luftwaffe on April 16, 1945. The aircrews are assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing's 333rd, 334th, 335th, and 336th Fighter Squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho)
F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing taxi down the flightline April 16, 2012, during a Turkey Shoot training mission at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. The wing generated nearly 70 aircraft to destroy more than 1,000 targets on bombing ranges across the state to commemorate the 4th FW's victory over the Luftwaffe on April 16, 1945. The aircrews are assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing's 333rd, 334th, 335th, and 336th Fighter Squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Rissmiller)
Col. Patrick Doherty reviews aircraft logs April 16, 2012, during a pre-flight inspection at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. Doherty led a training mission which involved nearly 70 F-15E Strike Eagles taking to the sky to destroy more than 1,000 targets on bombing ranges across the state to commemorate the 4th FW’s victory over the Luftwaffe on April 16, 1945. The aircrews are assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing’s 333rd, 334th, 335th, and 336th Fighter Squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson)
An F-15E Strike Eagle takes off during a Turkey Shoot training mission April 16, 2012, on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. The term Turkey Shoot dates back to a mission that took place June 19, 1944 during World War II. The aircrews are assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing’s 333rd, 334th, 335th, and 336th Fighter Squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Makenzie Lang)
Maintainers from the 333rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit perform a pre-flight inspection on an F-15E Strike Eagle April 16, 2012, during a Turkey Shoot training mission at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. The wing generated nearly 70 aircraft to destroy more than 1,000 targets on bombing ranges across the state to commemorate the 4th FW’s victory over the Luftwaffe on April 16, 1945. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Makenzie Lang)
F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing taxi down the flightline April 16, 2012, during a Turkey Shoot training mission at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. The wing generated nearly 70 aircraft to destroy more than 1,000 targets on bombing ranges across the state to commemorate the 4th FW's victory over the Luftwaffe on April 16, 1945. The aircrews are assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing's 333rd, 334th, 335th, and 336th Fighter Squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Rissmiller)
by Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
4/17/2012 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE, N.C. (AFNS) -- Airmen from the 4th Fighter Wing honored their heritage by launching nearly 70 F-15E Strike Eagles in a Turkey Shoot training mission April 16 here.
The Strike Eagles taxied one after the next down the base flightline before heading to bombing ranges across North Carolina to destroy more than 1,000 targets. The purpose of this mass launch was two-fold.
"This F-15E Strike package and Turkey Shoot honored the excellence and sacrifices of our Wing's past while 'flexing' 4th (Fighter Wing) airpower today, sharpening our warfighting spirit and skills as we look toward the future," said Col. Patrick Doherty, the 4th FW commander.
The term Turkey Shoot dates back to a mission that took place June 19, 1944, during World War II.
On this day, U.S. Navy carrier aircraft downed 373 Japanese planes with the loss of only 23 American planes," said Dr. Roy Heidicker, the 4th FW historian. A Navy pilot who participated in this mission was attributed as saying, "It was like a turkey shoot," and the term stuck.
Toward the end of WWII, the greatest challenge in Europe for the 8th Air Force was destroying a Luftwaffe, or German Air Force, that refused to take to the air. One of the 4th Fighter Group's most notorious missions during WWII was also its final major mission. The group's Airmen were tasked to take out the Luftwaffe. In two airfield attacks, the group's aviators destroyed 105 enemy aircraft April 15, 1945.
"While 'A' Group attacked airfields in the region of Prague, 'B' Group, devastated the Luftwaffe base at Gablingen in 40 minutes of continuous strafing," Heidicker said. "That same day other 8th Air Force fighter groups attacked Luftwaffe airfields all over Germany, claiming a total of 752 aircraft destroyed. The Luftwaffe never recovered from this terrible and devastating blow."
During World War II, competition began between the 4th and 56th Fighter Groups to see what unit could destroy the most enemy aircraft, officials said. The 4th FG finished the war with 1,016 aircraft destroyed, and the 56th FG's final tally was 1,006. While supporting the war effort, the 4th FG destroyed more enemy aircraft than any group or wing in Air Force history.
"We proudly carry on the legacy of the 4th FG's victories, as well as those of the wing's Korean, Vietnam, Gulf War efforts and believe it is critically important that current and future generations of Airmen understand and celebrate our history, so they can visualize what they will be capable of doing in the future," Doherty said.
Comments
5/9/2012 8:13:13 AM ET While the involved were great, keep in mind is the single most important resource when it come to waging WAR. I was here and took part in this amazing feat and I am proud and humbled to have done so. EPB
Jay Money, SJAFB
4/19/2012 2:50:22 PM ET Seymour Johnson was one of my best assignments. I recently revisited the base 15 years after retiring and found the airmen to be the most enthusiastic and motivated professionals I've ever met.
KL, Hawaii
4/19/2012 2:32:33 PM ET Hats off to the maintainers and the Silver Hawks in the OSS for their huge part in making this happen.
Jay Scott, San Antonio
4/19/2012 1:39:57 PM ET It is nice to read history of the past as a unit's tradition carries into the present and future. May the 4th FG continue with the best trained best equiped warfighters.
1PinkFloydAudiophile, Massachusetts
4/19/2012 12:39:09 PM ET SJ has always worked hard and played hard with 4 aircraft main squardrons and the refuelers backing them up with in flight refueling. I'll bet their maintenance efforts are allot more intense since I was stationed there during the F4E Phantom era. My hat is off and a big salute to all supporting the PW powered F15 aircraft witth a heavy mission requirement it can not be as easy as it was in the F4 Phantom days powered by the GE J79-17 engine. Maybe not the easiest engine to work on but sure is reliable between scheduled maintenance events and still flying today overseas like the Energizer Bunny just keeps going and going at 50 plus years old.
SNCO Ret'89, Ohio
4/19/2012 10:44:59 AM ET With the DOD getting gutted to pay for social programs and other freebies, I'm amazed they even had the money and resources to even pull this off. They must have not heard about paying there fair share yet..........Good Job guys....
Don't Worry, Be Happy
4/18/2012 10:31:47 PM ET Simple phrase...NKAWTG...NNot even the 4th FW
Tanker TOAD, USA
4/18/2012 9:00:05 PM ET Lets be honest here. The 4FW flies 70 sorties or better just about every single day. The elephant walk was tied to a historical event and symbolizes exactly what our wing is capable of. My squadron sometimes flies half that many by ourselves without assistance from the other 3. Ignorance is bliss
Elephant Walk Participant, SJAFB
4/18/2012 2:43:55 PM ET Wow...amazing how a story that should be uplifting still manages to draw the Negative Nelly types. First off this is NOT a waste of your tax dollars. The amount you pay in taxes every year only accounts for about a hundred gallons of fuel which means that only one aircraft would have been affected if you decided to not pay your taxes on it. Secondly the amount of fuel needed for the elephant walk would have been minimal at best. Yes there would have been some usage but the amount would have been negligible. See this for what it is a training opportunity that is linked to a historical event. We are at war. There are many other places that waste occurs. This one place is not enough to make you go broke. So if you want to cherry pick your complaints find ones that are really wasteful and expend some energy there. Otherwise sit back earn enough to pay your taxes and watch as one airplane takes off and know that you might have contributed to it's ability to lift.
DisagreeWithdg, Randolph
4/18/2012 1:58:34 PM ET I sort of agree with dg. The elephant walk for the jets down the runway wastes fuel. Why couldn't the jets have taxied to the departure end and just launched. As the photos indicated alot of iron on the runway and no one was taking off until the entire gaggle departed the runway surface. At least when the heavies do their elephant walk they transit down taxiways enroute to the departure end.
Another Airman, BAFB
4/18/2012 1:19:10 PM ET Awesome images. Should make any would-be enemy think twice.
MES, Pentagon
4/18/2012 1:15:34 PM ET Well done 4FW, another example of why you're the best of the best. I served with Col Doherty at the CAOC and can tell you with no reservations there is no finer Airman and no more responsible steward of the taxpayers' resources. Excellent training concept and tying it to our heritage bridges the gap between Excellent and Outstanding.
Retired Airman, Virginia
4/18/2012 10:25:03 AM ET dg you're wrong This mission was not a waste of tax dollars. SJAFB daily flies more missions than what is referenced by 4 flying squadrons. This day they combined efforts and flew the mission package training to employ their weapon system as it was designed. Trust me you want them practiced and proficient when they have to do this for real. It's not easy not a video game and it take work and practice. Way to go Strike Eagles...make us proud
Load, Vegas
4/18/2012 10:07:50 AM ET @dg in AZ As another guy paying for this I rather like this show of airpower and mass combat training exercise. They just bundled the name around it to embrace their heritage... it would have taken place regardless and without the historical context you'd not have heard about this story and would not be griping. I suppose you also complain about mass training sorties there at Luke. Well done 4FW
CP, Saddle Rock CO
4/17/2012 3:25:40 PM ET Another waste of my tax dollars. Is anyone monitoring this waste.
