In May 2003, seven German Air Force MIG-29 "FULCRUM" fighters flew to North America for their last major deployment. This trip was their fifth and last ever as the aircraft will be transferred to Poland later this year. Code-named "Sniper", the exercise comprised seven russian-designed MIG-29 and pilots from 731 squadron, the only unit in the German Air Force flying the type. The squadron is part of JG-73 "Steinhoff", based at Laage Air Base, near Rostock on the Baltic Coast.
During their two-month long deployment in the USA, the MIG-29 were flying from Eglin AFB, Fla. The main objectives of the exercise were to fly Dissimilar Air Combat Tactics (DACT) against various units and live missile firing for weapons qualification. The Fulcrum and their air-to-air missiles were tested as part of a continuing program by the United States and German air forces to learn what the MIG-29 can do during combat. The helmet mounted aiming system and the Archer missile give the MIG-29 the capability to shoot missiles in dogfight situations, in which current U.S. fighters cannot. During their stay, the MIGs were expected to fly about 300 sorties which included live firing tests of AA-10 'Alamo' radar-homing and AA-11 'Archer' heat-seeking missiles. The weapons were fired at target drones over the Gulf of Mexico from Tyndall AFB, about 50 miles East of Eglin AFB.

Leaving Laage AB on May 5, the seven MIG-29 and support ground crews entered the U.S. airspace on May 8. The detachment had to make numerous stops for refueling during their crossover of the North Atlantic. In the morning of May 8, the seven MIGs landed in Burlington, home of the 158th Fighter Wing of the Vermont Air National Guard. They were preceded by a C-160D "Transall" carrying their ground crews. With everyone aboard the transport aircraft having to clear U.S.Customs first, members from the 158th Aircraft Generation Squadron stood ready on the flightline to welcome the MIGs. Minutes later, the seven MIG-29 were landing in Burlington.
To mark the last deployment in the USA, one MIG-29 was specially decorated with appropriate markings. The aircraft wore special colors representing the German flag on the right side and the American flag on the left side. After a two-hour stopover during which the MIGs were refueled, pilots and ground crews fed, the detachment was on the way to its next stop before reaching Eglin AFB.

For many members of the 158th Fighter Wing present that morning on the flightline, the view of the MIG-29s was not new. This was not the first time that The Green Mountain Boys welcomed the MIG-29s! On their first deployment in the USA, the same MIG-29s were escorted by Vermont Air National Guard F-16s into American airspace and Burlington IAP! The date was October 21, 1999, the tenth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall.
Unfortunately, efforts to have the MIG-29s stopping in Burlington again at the end of their deployment failed and the MIGs made their last ever stop in the United States in Bangor, Maine, on July 7.

Abschied! Wohl Lebe!

(All photos by Philippe Colin)