JBER, 3rd Wing host 43rd TFS’s 43rd reunion

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Blake Mize
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Almost 43 years to the day after the 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron was activated on what was then Elmendorf Air Force Base, a group of its founding members reunited on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to catch up with old friends and relive their days spent in Alaska.

The 12 fighter pilots and one maintainer from the 43rd TFS came together, along with some of their family members June 14 for a tour of the base at which they were stationed more than four decades ago.

"It was important just to come back and see the old location," said retired Air Force Lt. Col. Ken Kingsmore, former fighter pilot with the 43rd TFS. "You have memories that live forever and Alaska is a beautiful place, so here we are."

The Airmen first arrived in Alaska in June 1970 and were partof one of two units assigned to Alaska Air Command.

"The airplanes came in on the 23rd of June and the Chugach Mountains had just gotten the first dust of snow," said retired Air Force Col. Del Haselhorst, former 43rd TFS commander.

The squadron, whose pilots flew the F-4E Phantom II fighter, had a dual mission of Alaska air defense and close air support for U.S. Army forces. They assumed North American Aerospace Defense Command air defense alert in October 1970 and, between 1970 and 1982, intercepted more than 100 Soviet aircraft in Alaska air space.
"We were responsible for sitting air defense alert for Alaska, primarily in King Salmon, Galena and Eielson. Two airplanes, two crews at each location, 365 days a year," Kingsmore said.

"We had the whole thing; air-to-air, air-to-ground, air defense," Haselhorst added. "We used to go out and intercept the [Russian aircraft] like the guys do today, so it hasn't really changed much."

The tour began with a 3rd Wing mission brief by Air Force Col. David Nahom, 3rd Wing commander, when the 43rd TFS members learned about the operational responsibilities of JBER's current Airmen and the equipment they have at their disposal. They then visited the JBER air traffic control tower and witnessed an F-22 Raptor engine in action at the base hush house. After lunch, the pilots and their families had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with some of the aircraft currently being used at JBER, including the C-17 Globemaster III and the F-22, during static displays.

The former Airmen said they were most impressed with how much JBER and the aircraft stationed here have advanced since their heyday.

"It was really tough getting [the 43rd TFS] started, bringing the airplanes up," Haselhorst said. "We didn't have the facilities set up, particularly for maintenance. This is just amazing to me what you guys have here now. I don't recognize anything but the alert barn."

Ironically, the current 43rd Fighter Squadron, located at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., is responsible for providing air dominance training for future F-22 pilots. It was the first such training site and will continue to be the primary one. Kingsmore said it is the F-22's capabilities and what it brings to the fight that has struck him the most.

"The situational awareness the F-22 provides to the pilot and to his flight is dramatically different," Kingsmore said. "It is a machine that far exceeds the capabilities of the F-4. We had to ad-lib quite often because we didn't have the greatest of radios and we didn't have the greatest of radars, but at the time, we thought they were fine."

One 43rd TFS member in particular was instrumental in the coordination of the reunion.
"I was in the original 43rd that came up here and I've stayed here in Alaska for 43 years," said retired Air Force Maj. Bob Krogseng, who, along with his wife, put the event together.
The Airmen said it was their fondness for Alaska, as well as the significant anniversary, which drove them to once again converge in the Last Frontier.

"We love this area," Haselhorst said. "You know, we were all volunteers and it's just an emotional thing. It's a great place."