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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.
 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
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.
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