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Citat:MiG-29s LEAVE LUFTWAFFE
By Stefan Petersen
It was on 12 March 1988 that the first four MiG-29A's bound for the National People's Army of the GDR flew in to Preschen airbase near Cottbus, signifying the start of a new era for the East German air force, known as the Air Force/Air Defence Force (AF/ADF). Unlike the West German Luftwaffe, it now had a third generation, state-of-the-art fighter aircraft in its inventory. These aircraft were followed in quick succession by another eight single-seaters and three MiG-29UB two-seaters. In May 1988, Fighter Wing 3 (JG-3) “Vladimir Komarow” commenced flying operations with the fighter aircraft known within NATO as the “Fulcrum”.
A year later, the last aircraft on order from the Moscow-based manufacturer, Mikoyan, was delivered. JG-3 now had 24 MiG-29's, 20 fighter aircraft and four trainers. Between then and German reunification, 1 and 2 Squadrons were deployed on “constant readiness for action” (the Warsaw Pact equivalent of NATO's Quick Reaction Alert, QRA) in the air defence forces of the Warsaw Pact. A number of high-ranking officers underwent conversion training as well, so that 45 pilots were now flying the MiG-29's under the emblem of the hammer and circle.
On 3 October 1990, none of them knew what the future would hold in store for them. Reluctantly, Luftwaffe Command decided to continue operating the “Fulcrum”, not least because, as one of the latest fighter aircraft from the Soviet stable, it had a key role to play in the threat analysis for the Eurofighter, which was then being specified. It therefore seemed appropriate to carry out a thorough investigation of the MiG-29. Thus the Preschen pilots soon resumed training flights with their aircraft, albeit now sporting the Iron Cross of the Bundeswehr on the air intake, rather than the hammer and circle.
The jets belonging to JG-3, soon to be renamed “Test and Evaluation Wing MiG-29”, now began to travel: two single-seaters and two two-seaters completed an extended test programme at the hands of the German Armed Forces Test and Evaluation Centre (WTD 61) in Manching, and another four single-seaters took part in a series of training flights in Wittmund in March 1991, in which they were pitted against the Improved Combat Efficiency F-4F Phantoms of JG 71 “Richthofen”, which were based there. A month later six German Fulcrums were deployed to Decimomannu, Sardinia for the first exercise aerial battles against jets from other NATO states. The MiG pilots fought bravely. Their helmet-mounted sight, which at that time was unique, enabled them to fire R-73 missiles at targets at angles of up to 75 degrees to the side and thus to take many opponents by surprise. Aircraft 29+06 was even loaned out to the USA for eighteen months of testing.
All the lessons learned flowed into a 13-page report prepared for the then Defence Minister, Gerhard Stoltenberg. Finally he came to a decision on 25 July 1991: the MiG-29's were to remain in service with the Luftwaffe for another twelve years.
To adapt the Fulcrums to the standards prescribed for Western air space, all 24 aircraft were upgraded between 1991 and 1995. The “ICAO I” package comprised replacement of the old UHF radio with fixed frequencies by a new VHF/UHF radio with manually selectable frequencies, installation of an emergency radio, TACAN navigational equipment, an Identification Friend or Foe/Selective Identification Facility (IFF/SIF) transponder and Western-standard cockpit instrumentation utilising the imperial rather than metric measurement system. At the same time, the cockpit labelling and ÄKRAN control and warning system display were converted to English language equivalents. The jets were also equipped with anti-collision lights and painted camouflage grey. The single-seater version was now designated the MiG-29G (for “Germany”), and the two-seater GT (for “German Trainer”).
The integration work pushed ahead: while the ex-AF/ADF pilots got up to speed on NATO procedures and tactics, other Western pilots – exclusively F-4F personnel – underwent conversion training on the Fulcrum. On 1 June 1993, the unit lost its “test and evaluation” status and was renamed JG 73. From then on, between 8am and 6pm a National Quick Reaction Alert MiG-29 was always on standby duty in Preschen for aerial police work in the new Länder.
But Luftwaffe Command took the view that in the long term Preschen, close to the border with Poland, was not a suitable home for the unit. An alternative location was sought and found in the north-east of Germany: Laage near Rostock was to become the final home of JG 73. In October 1994, the relocation operation began, and on 15 December the last aircraft left Preschen bound for Mecklenburg-West Pomerania. In February 1995, the fighter wing was assigned to NATO, and “National Quick Reaction Alert” became “Quick Reaction Alert”. The German MiG-29's were the first Fulcrums to join the Alliance.
In NATO, the East European jets proved a veritable magnet: squadrons from every conceivable member country wanted to test their skills against the MiGs from Laage. The Fulcrums bearing the Iron Cross flew air attack exercises against pilots from the USA, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark. The “MiG drivers” from 1 squadron of JG 73 acted as hosts for jet crews from all over NATO and beyond. Thus, for example, as part of the Partnership for Peace programme, MiG-29 pilots from Hungary were prepared for NATO membership in Laage. Even neutral states, such as Sweden, Finland and Switzerland, availed themselves over the years of the opportunity to take on what were without a doubt the best trained Fulcrum pilots in the world. The high point occurred in the autumn of 2003, when they even trained with Israeli F-15s fighters in Decimomannu.
However, their most frequent sparring partners were the F-4F's from their sister squadron, which, formed out of the two flying squadrons of ex-Fighter Bomber Wing 35 in Pferdsfeld, moved to Laage in June 1997. JG 73, the new merged unit, was given the tradition-steeped name “Steinhoff” on 18 September 1997. Up to the “Phantom Phly-out” in March 2002, JG 73 “S” was the only unit of jets in the Luftwaffe to have two different operational types. On exercises, the two types would frequently fly as a “tactical pair” so as to combine their advantages – the F-4F in air combat at long distances and the agile Fulcrum in dogfights.
Even overseas, the Luftwaffe liked to show off with its MiGs. To combat the lack of an air-to-air refuelling capability and enable the jets to cross the Big Pond, the ICAO II programme was designed to improve its long-range navigation and extend its range. Between 1996 and 2000, seven single-seaters were upgraded. Two underwing tanks, each holding 1,150 litres of fuel, combined with the auxiliary fuselage tank increased its ferry range to over 1,000nm (1,850km) – thus doubling the range it had had with internal fuel tanks and adding an extra 55 km over its range with centreline fuselage tank alone. In addition, a GPS satellite navigation system was integrated into the avionics suite.
Finally, in the autumn of 1999, six MiGs were deployed via Scotland and Greenland to North America, where they took part first in ultra low-level flying training of Luftwaffe pilots in Goose Bay, Canada and then in the US Air Force's Red Flag 00/1 exercise at Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas. Here the Luftwaffe's Fulcrums flew in the role for which they were best suited, as a squadron of adversary aircraft playing the part of enemy forces.
The Americans were impressed, and over the next few years they took part in further high-profile exercises in the USA and Canada. From May to July 2003 the MiGs then went on a “farewell tour”: the last transatlantic deployment ended at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, where the Fulcrum pilots had one last opportunity to fire live missiles in “Sniper 2003”.
Sadly, the end is now within sight. For cost reasons, many of the MiGs did not get the promised 1300-hour workshop overhaul. Following the decision to hand the jets over to the new NATO partner, Poland, to help it build up its strength, the Fulcrums are approaching their last flight in the service of the Luftwaffe. In August, the era of the MiG-29 in Germany will be over.
From FLUG REVUE 4/2004, page 12
http://www.flug-revue.rotor.com/FRHeft/FRHeft04/FRH0404/FR0404c.htm
Prica o 29tkama u NJemackoj.
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