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87th FIS

"Red Bulls"
K.I. Sawer AFB, MI

37 F-106's assigned the 87th FIS between 30 Sep 1968 - 1 Oct 1985



 

The 87th FIS was at two different locations: Duluth IAP MN from 30 Sept 68 to 01 May 71, and K.I. Sawyer AFB MI from 01 May 71 till 01 Oct 85.

The 87th FIS was activated in November 1952 at Sioux City Airport.  It replaced the Indiana ANG's 163rd FIS with F-51D aircraft. In the fall of 1953 it transitioned into F-86Ds and in December 1954 the unit transferred to USAFE.  The squadron was transferred back to ADC at Lockbourne AFB in April 1956, again with F-86Ds and subsequently F-86Ls a year later in 1957.  The squadron transitioned into F-102As in late 1958 and in June 1960 the F-102s were exchanged for F-101Bs.  In July 1968 the 87th was deactivated at Lockbourne, however, in September 1968 the 11th FIS at Duluth AP with F-106As was deactivated and re-designated the 87th FIS.  In May 1971 the 87th FIS moved from Duluth AP to K.I. Sawyer AFB, MI where it remained until deactivation in 1985.

Bear Encounters
F-106A 59-0091 flying out of Keflavik Iceland escorts Russian TU-95M Bear [Marty Isham Collection] F-106A 59-0091 flying out of Keflavik Iceland escorts Russian TU-95M Bear [Marty Isham Collection] F-106A 59-0091 flying out of Keflavik Iceland escorts Russian TU-95M Bear between 21 April 78 & 12 May 78. Pilot was Bill Thomas [Marty Isham Collection]


 



Nellis AFB TDY Gallant Eagle 1980


59-0066 Aug 1985 in the 87th FIS Hush House with Crew Chief Sra Thomas "Sammy" Hager. Submitted by Sammy Jun 2003 [Go to the J75 Engine Page]

59-0066, Aug 1985, departs the 87th FIS for AMARC by Sra Thomas "Sammy" Hager, submitted by Sammy Jun 2003
Sammy's story about the departure

"This next set of pictures were taken in the morning of Aug 15 1985....the day I launched my jet to the boneyard.  I had spent all night at work getting her ready for departure. Not that she needed it but, I wanted to put a fresh coat of wax on her for the last time, new gear pin streamers, white letter the tires after some armor all was used. It seemed when the other jets were leaving for DM, a lot of aircraft washes were getting pencil whipped. "Hey, its going to sit in the desert...what's the big deal?" When my jet taxied out I wanted all to say or think "man, what a waste to send a beautiful jet on a one way trip". 3 weeks prior to her departure I was able to roll the engine (That weekend duty crew picture that I sent you) and eliminate 2, 781K write ups. That put her on a black letter initial. That was the status that I sent her out to DM. The pilot was Capt Jesse Pitts and the 1Lt in the back seat was going on a permissive TDY (house hunting). I was trying to swing getting a ride down to the AMARC facility, the DCM was for it...but this 1Lt got his wish granted. He was a T-33 pilot, don't remember his name. Just about everyone came out to see 547 leave that morning and to see if I'd break down into tears. She looked like she came right off the showroom floor. Kiddingly, someone gave me a tissue ... and I loaded it up (think I was coming down with something). They all thought I was hamming it up...It was literally tearing me up inside to see this jet off for the last time.  As 547 was taking the runway, I jumped into Delta 1 and drove out to as close as I could get without crossing the Hold short line. She had lined up and was preparing to take off (away from my position), however a wind change occurred and they changed departures. 547 taxied down the runway, did a 180 and was now accelerating towards me. I got a nice profile shot as she passed by me. The man upstairs did me a favor with a little wind, causing a runway change."  Thomas "Sammy" Hager

'Sammy'57-2547 and its crew chief Sra Thomas "Sammy" Hager and F-106 pilot Captain Jesse Pitts on 15 Aug 1985 just prior to departure for the boneyard [Sammy Hager collection]


'Sammy' 57-2547 the day of its departure to the boneyard 15 Aug 85 [Sammy Hager collection]

'Sammy' 57-2547 the day of its departure to the boneyard 15 Aug 85 [Sammy Hager collection]

'Sammy' 57-2547 taxi's out on its way to the boneyard 15 Aug 85 [Sammy Hager collection]

'Sammy' 57-2547 takes off from the 87th FIS K.I. Sawyer AFB, MI on its way to the boneyard 15 Aug 85 [Sammy Hager collection]

'Sammy' 57-2547 takes off from the 87th FIS K.I. Sawyer AFB, MI on its way to the boneyard 15 Aug 85 [Sammy Hager collection]

'Sammy' 57-2547 May 1987, 2 years after departing the 87th FIS at K.I. Sawyer AFB, MI [Rich Davis collection]
 

Last Home of the 87th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
BRIEF HISTORY OF K.I. SAWYER AFB

In 1954 the government entered into negotiations with Marquette County for Sawyer's lease. After several months of meetings and negotiations a 99 year lease was signed on January 24, 1955. Construction started almost immediately.  Approximately 850 people were employed during the construction and several local contractors were involved.

On January 24, 1956 Lt/Col Robert L. Blocklehurst became the first commander of Kl Sawyer AFB. The runway was completed in 1957 and in 1958 25 F-102 Aircraft were sent TDY from Kinross AFB at Sault St. Marie to operate out of Sawyer for several months, while the runways at Kinchelo were being repaired and extended.  The 62nd F1S from O'Hare airport Chicago was transferred to Sawyer and became an operational F-101 "Voodoo" squadron in 1959 after the runways at Sawyer were extended to 12,300 feet.

The Strategic Air Command became operational as a tenant unit with the assignment of a KC-135 Air Refueling Squadron first the 923 ARS and soon replaced by the 46th Air Refueling Squadron. The first B-52H arrived at Sawyer in August 1961 along with the 410 Bomb Wing.  The Sault St. Marie Air Defense Sector (SAGE) continued in operation until September 1963 and in January 1964 control of the base was passed from the Air Defense Command to the Strategic Air Command leaving the 410 Bomb Wing as the host unit to date.

The F-101 equipped 62 Fighter Interceptor Squadron remained at Sawyer as a tenant unit until April 1971 when it was deactivated and replaced by the 87th Fighter Interceptor Squadron and its F-106 Delta Dart Aircraft were transferred from Duluth Municipal Airport Minnesota. The 87th F1S was deactivated and the F-106 aircraft left in 1985.

Other aircraft assigned to Sawyer over the years included H-43B and HH-1H rescue helicopters leaving in 1977. FB-111 aircraft assigned to Pease AFB New Hampshire were on satellite alert at Sawyer in 1974 and 1975. The last aircraft assigned to Sawyer were six T-37 jet trainers of the 71 FTW assigned to "Accelerated Copilot Enrichment Program" in 1977 and are presently assigned to the "Companion Trainer Program" under the 410 BW and the Air Combat Command.

Commander's aircraft (Toro 1)57-0231 sitting display at the 1979 K.I. Sawyer Air Show.  57-0231 crashed 2 years later in 1981.

 

 

 


87th FIS Commander, Col Harris, during William Tell 76 Submitted by his grandson Brendan Harris.  Colonel Richard G. Harris: Commander,  87th FIS, 1976-78.  This was his last command of a fighter squadron. After this he went to the Pentagon, in charge of security for all ANG Bases in the US.

Firing mission at Tyndall. 87th Instrument troops and the pilot, Captain Fred Simpson. The MSgt in the back is Bob LaMarche the Avionics' NCOIC. The civilian in the fore ground, is a Hughes tech rep, the infamous B.C. Quick, and the Instrument Troop is SSgt Lonnie Hurley who was the NCOIC Instrument Systems. (Thanks to Elmer Klein for giving me the names of these guys.  Elmer was in the 87th from '73-'79 and worked for SSgt Hurley.)


Can't forget the trainers!

Is it real?  Sent to me by CMSgt (Ret) Mike Bilcik inquiring of it's authenticity.