The F-15 Eagle: Origins and Development, 1964-1972 Jacob Neufeld 4
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SPRING 2001 - Volume 48, Number 1 The F-15 Eagle: Origins and Development, 1964-1972 Jacob Neufeld 4 A “Pretty Damn Able Commander” — Lewis Hyde Brereton: Part II Roger G. Miller 22 Genesis of the Aerospace Concept Frank W. Jennings 46 Airhead Operations in Kuwait: The 436th ALCE John L. Cirafici 56 Slanguage: Part II, Letters C-D Brian S. Gunderson 64 Departments: From the Editor 3 Book Reviews 66 Books Received 72 Coming Up 74 History Mystery 76 Letters, News, Notices, and Reunions 77 Upcoming Symposium 79 In Memoriam 80 COVER: A trio of F–15s soar over the southwestern United States. The Air Force Historical Foundation PostScript Picture (APH.eps) Air Force Historical Foundation 1535 Command Drive – Suite A122 Andrews AFB, MD 20762-7002 (301) 981-2139 (301) 981-3574 Fax The Journal of Air and Space History (formerly Aerospace Historian) Spring 2001 Volume 48 Number 1 Officers Contributing Members President The individuals and companies listed are contributing Gen. William Y. Smith, USAF (Ret) members of the Air Force Historical Foundation. The Publisher Vice-President Foundation Trustees and members are grateful for their Brian S. Gunderson Gen. John A. Shaud, USAF (Ret) support and contributions to preserving, perpetuating, Secretary-Treasurer and publishing the history and traditions of American Editor Maj. Gen. John S. Patton, USAF (Ret) aviation. Jacob Neufeld Executive Director Col. Joseph A. Marston, USAF (Ret) Benefactor Technical Editor Mrs. Ruth A. (Ira C.) Eaker Estate Robert F. Dorr Advisors Book Review Editor Michael L. Grumelli Gen. Michael E. Ryan, USAF Patron Lt. Gen. Tad J. Oelstrom, USAF Maj. Gen. Ramsay Potts Layout and Typesetting Lt. Gen. Lance W. Lord, USAF Richard I. Wolf Brig. Gen. Ronald T. Rand, USAF Dr. Richard P. Hallion Sponsors Advertising CMSAF Frederick J. Finch, USAF Maj. Gen. William Lyon Mark D. Mandeles SMSgt. Walt Grudzinskas, USAF Maj. Gen. John S. Patton General Rawlings Chapter, AFA Circulation Trustees Col. Edward Rosenbaum, USAF (Ret) Richard I. Wolf Gen. William Y. Smith Col. Kenneth J. Alnwick, USAF (Ret) Tomlinson Family Foundation Inc. Mr. F. Clifton Berry, Jr. Lt. Col. Maynard Y. Binge, USAF (Ret) Gen. Mark E. Bradley, USAF (Ret) Donors Air Power History (ISSN 1044-016X) Lt.Gen. Devol Brett, USAF (Ret) Mr. John F. Donahue is produced in March, June, September, Lt.Gen. William E. Brown, USAF (Ret) Emerson Electric and December by the Air Force Historical Lt.Gen. Charles G. Cleveland, USAF (Ret) Rockwell International Foundation. Lt.Gen. John Conaway, USAF (Ret) Quesada Foundation Gen. Bennie L. Davis, USAF (Ret) Gen. Bernard A. Schriever Brig.Gen. Michael DeArmond, USAF (Ret) Prospective contributors should consult the Gen. Robert J. Dixon, USAF (Ret) GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTORS at Gen. Michael J. Dugan, USAF (Ret) Supporters the back of this journal. Unsolicited manu- Gen. Howell M. Estes, Jr., USAF (Ret) The Aerospace Corporation scripts will be returned only on specific Lt.Gen. Abbott C. Greenleaf, USAF (Ret) Allied-Signal Aerospace Corporation request. The Editor cannot accept responsi- Mr. John E. Greenwood Arthur Metcalf Foundation bility for any damage to or loss of the man- Brig.Gen. Brian S. Gunderson, USAF (Ret) CSX Corporation uscript. The Editor reserves the right to Maj.Gen. John P. Henebry, USAF (Ret) Brig. Gen. Brian S. Gunderson edit manuscripts and letters. Col. George A. Henry, Jr., USAF (Ret) Maj. Gen. John P. Henebry Gen. Robert T. Herres, USAF (Ret) Gen. & Mrs. Robert T. Herres Address Letters to the Editor to: Dr. I. B. Holley, Jr. Maj. Gen. Harold E. Humfeld Maj.Gen. Jeanne M. Holm, USAF (Ret) McDonnell Douglas Foundation Air Power History Lt.Gen. Bradley C. Hosmer, USAF (Ret) Maj. Gen. Kenneth P. Miles P.O. Box 10328 Dr. R. Gordon Hoxie Northrop-Grumman Corporation Rockville, MD 20849-0328 Brig.Gen. Alfred F. Hurley, USAF (Ret) Mr. William O’Rourke Brig.Gen. James A. Jaeger, USAF (Ret) Mr. James Parton e-mail: [email protected] Gen. 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FOUNDATION WEB HOMEPAGE: http://home.earthlink.net/~afhf E-Mail: [email protected] 2 AIR POWER History / SPRING 2001 From the Editor “Goodbye Friend” General Bryce Poe II was a rare individual. Not only was he a pilot and an Air Force general offi- cer, but he was also an accomplished historian. Unique among his contemporaries, General Poe appreciated, understood, and applied historical perspective. Perhaps that was why he was so devot- ed to the Air Force Historical Foundation as a member, trustee, and president. As President of the Foundation, General Poe persuaded the Air Force’s leadership to support Air Power History, the jour- nal General Tooey Spaatz had launched in 1953. As the journal’s publisher, General Poe was a rock— without whom Air Power History would likely not have succeeded. Historians throughout the official United States Air Force History and Museums Program mourn the general’s passing. We will sorely miss his broad knowledge and appreciation of our disci- pline, as well as his sage advice on promoting the utility of history in our daily affairs. We will miss his insistence on excellence in historical research and writing, his support for historical symposia, and his brilliant leadership in advocating the relevance of history to affect contemporary issues. Rep- resentative of his many contributions was the case of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). In recent years, when the Air Force seriously considered eliminating AFIT as part of governmental “downsizing,” General Poe rose up to argue—successfully—that this was the wrong thing to do. Thanks in large part to his championing of AFIT the school survived. The Air Force and the Nation will continue to benefit from his intervention. Despite his senior rank, General Poe mingled freely with subordinates, enjoying the give and take of historical discourse. He never felt that any task involving the promotion of Air Force history was beneath his dignity.This egalitarian attitude endeared him to all who knew the general. Indeed, just about everyone who knew General Poe liked him. He was genial and hard working and a straight arrow. An excellent storyteller, he usually began with, “Stop me if you’ve heard this one....” Of course, even if one had heard them before, the stories were simply too entertaining to pass up. Invariably humorous and interesting—a rare combination—the stories often also carried a lesson or a moral. Finally, General Poe was a devoted family man. He went to any length to ensure the well being of his family. I well remember his touching descriptions of how he employed phonics to help teach his grandson to read and his unbounded joy in the boy’s accomplishments. We will miss Bryce Poe; men like him come around only once in a generation. “Goodbye friend.” General Poe’s obituary can be found on page 80. Air Power History and the Air Force Historical Foundation disclaim responsibility for statements, either of fact or of opinion, made by contributors. The submission of an article, book review, or other communication with the intention that it be published in this journal shall be construed as prima facie evidence that the contributor willingly transfers the copyright to Air Power History and the Air Force Historical Foundation, which will, however, freely grant authors the right to reprint their own works, if published in the authors’ own works. In the case of articles, upon acceptance, the author will be sent an agreement and an assignment of copyright. AIR POWER History / SPRING 2001 3 The F–15 Eagle: Origins and Development, 1964–1972 4 AIR POWER History / SPRING 2001 Jacob Neufeld AIR POWER History / SPRING 2001 5 (Overleaf) Three of the s the war in Southeast Asia escalated—par- In a masterful stroke, the Air Force in the fines: F–15s in formation. ticularly after air-to-air combat operations spring of 1968 adopted air superiority—the sine A over North Vietnam intensified—U.S.