If you have flown on the airlines through KSTL, chances are you got to see some F-15 take-offs and landings. That is unlikely in the future. The last F-15s have departed.
The Missouri Air National Guard (131st Fighter Wing) that has been based at Lambert Field since 1923 has now been disbanded. The last 2 F-15 Eagles departed yesterday....
Used to love watching them depart KSTL in full burner, man those things were loud! We'd be sitting at the gate between flights and all of a sudden you'd hear the first one blasting off. I'd usually make it out to the side of the jetway in time to see the second or third in the flight departing in full AB.
I've even been next in line for takeoff behind them and even inside the cockpit with full headsets on, it's still damm loud! They would even shake the dang plane. Ahh the sound of freedom.
Guess only the occasional Super Hornet will be rattling the windows around the airport from now on.
i saw them flying over the St. Louis area just after dropping my father off at Spirit of St. Louis airport. Sure are going to miss those jets. I remember watching them take off over by the runway during TWA's hayday at Lambert in the 1990's. Sure are going to miss those birds...
Also watching them recover while sitting at Busch Stadium during a Cards game. Airplanes, beer, baseball, mid-west farmers daughters... doesn't get much better.
Tail code is "SL" some have an arch background. I don't think MAIW did a package with them. There are several skins for the Coral and I think one for the IRIS F-15.
