FB-111.net

The FB-111A made its first debut in the Strategic Air Command's 1970 Bombing and Navigation Competition 'Giant Voice II' held at McCoy AFB, FL., from 13 to 20 November 1970. Two FB-111As manned by crews from the 340th Bombardment Group at Carswell AFB, TX, entered the competition for the first time and one captured first place in bombing during the competition while the other aircraft took second place in navigation, and second place in the over-all bombing/navigation category. One aircraft (67-7194), piloted by LtCol. Robert S.Russell with Maj. Arben R.Ely as navigator, won first place in the final bombing mission and registered two perfect scores in the four-segment navigation mission. The other aircraft (68-0243), flown by LtCol. Joseph S.Lother with Maj. Billy R.Seals as navigator, ended in second place both in navigation and the over-all bomber categories. In addition to the two competition aircraft the 340th had two FB-111A on static display (68-0245 and 0246).

The FB-111A crews from the 340th BG had no opportunity to win the Fairchild Trophy awarded to the top SAC bomber-tanker unit for points in combined bombing and navigation, as the unit did not have tankers participating. Twenty-eight bombers, including the two FB-111As, three RAF Vulcan and twenty-three B-52s ran navigation courses and simulated bombing missions over the South Central United States. Simulated bombing ranged from 1,000 to 30,000 feet altitude with aircraft speeds in excess of 560 miles per hour. All competition bombing was done by transmission of a radar-scored electronic impulse called a "bomb-tone", rather than by the actual dropping of bombs. Each aircraft had two high-level and two low-level releases. As each plane neared its target, the navigator pressed a button sending out the electronic "bomb tone", which in turn was received and recorded as a "hit" by ground stations below. Professionalism of the crews was clearly indicated by Major Arben R.Ely, navigator, when he pointed out that he had only 80 hours flying time in the FB-111A prior to the competition, compared with 4,000 to 5,000 hours for some of the navigators in older aircraft. Proficiency of the crews was also evident when the two FB-111s scored three of the seven "shacks" (bulls eyes) scored.

The air crews had only four months to acquaint themselves with the aircraft and prepare for the competition. The fact that the FB-111A placed so high in its first SAC competition spoke highly of both the aircraft's capability and the crew's proficiency. A major contribution to the accomplishments was made by the FB-111A's computerized Mark IIB Avionics System which provided instantaneous automatic solutions to the problems of navigating and bombing. "Experience was the biggest factor," said Bob Patton, 111 SAC program director. "FB-111A crews had been working together only since last July. Vulcan and B-52 crews had been working together for years, in most case with the same aircraft." But until competition time, the pilots had logged only about 100 hours of flight time in FB-111A, navigators probably did not have over 50 hours of flight experience. On the other hand, crews on most of the other bombers in the competition had worked together as a team for years on the same aircraft. Many of the crews probably had up to 3,000 hours of experience. "This can make a big difference in performance," Patton said. "When crews work closely together for long periods of time, they get to know precisely how every man will react in emergency situations. They also get to know the airplane. Every ship has its own 'personality'. Still, the FB-111As and their crews performed like champions, Colonel Russell and Major Ely scored 685 points of a possible 800 to win bombing honors. "This was an extremely high score," Patton said. "The crew got two of the seven shacks scored in the entire competition." Colonel Lother and Major Seals took second in the navigation leg and 11th in bombing, finishing second overall.

"Giant Voice II"

Twenty-eight crews representing Strategic Air Command bomber wings and the Royal Air Force, plus their support and maintenance personnel of some 2,000 strong, were ready to face what may be the most formidable challenge of their military careers, the 1970 SAC Aircraft Combat Competition. The contest officially opened at 5:00 PM, on Nov. 16, 1970 in the competition hangar in front of of some 40 general officers, including Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. John D.Ryan, and SAC Commander-in-Chief, Gen Bruce K.Holloway, which were among the approx. 2,000 visitors to the base.As in past competitions, slips of papers inscribed with take-off position numbers were placed in the Fairchild Trophy. Wing commanders were called forward to select a number which will determine their aircraft's take-off position. Bombing targets in the southern end of the continent did escape undamaged as Radar Bomb Scoring (RBS) sites located there tested the accuracy of the crews which have been preparing for the contest for the past few months. The RBS units positioned near Wheatley, Ark. and Arcadia, La. tracked the SAC and RAF bombers as they approached the simulated targets and scored the accuracy of the 'bomb drops'. Each crew would fly two scored missions which will encompass pin-point navigation, coupled with simulated bombing from both high and low altitudes. Tanker crews would fly one mission and compete for navigation honors. The combined total of bombing and navigation points accumulated by a tanker and bomber were determining the winner of the Fairchild Trophy, the competition's top award. The Saunders Trophy was awarded to the tanker unit scoring the most points in navigation.The 93rd Bomb Wing from Castle AFB, Ca. put 1,325 of a possible 1,650 points on the board, taking top honors and the Fairchild Trophy. The 5th Bomb Wing from Minot AFB, N.D., walked away with The Mathis Trophy and the best Navigation Trophy. The Saunders Trophy was awarded to the 11th Air Refueling Squadron from Altus AFB, Ok. for total points attained on the navigation mission.Best bombing honors went to the 340th Bomb Group's, from Carswell AFB, Tx. The Carswell unit placed second for the Mathis Trophy, awarded to the top bomber unit based on combined results in bombing and navigation; and second for the Navigation Trophy. They had no chance at the Saunders Trophy or even the the most outstanding award, The Fairchild Trophy, since both included tanker scores.

"Anywhere-Anytime", the 340th BG

When the Strategic Air Command expanded in the early 1950's, the 340th was reactivated and redesignated on 20 October 1952 as a Bombardment Wing (Medium). Equipped with B-47s, the unit was based at Sedalia AFB, MO until 1963 and was assigned to the 2nd Air Force until June 1955 when the 8th Air Force assumed operational control. The Wing received its first B-47s in March 1954 and on 1 July 1955, was declared combat ready. The 340th BMW achieved recognition as one of SAC's first units to reorganize under the Deputy Commander concept of command and control. It tested the feasibility of assigning Aviation Depot Squadron functions to the Deputy Commander for Maintenance. SAC later adopted the plan and accomplished a command-wide change which included the formation of Munitions Maintenance Squadrons.Placed under the operational control of 2nd Air Force on 9 January 1959, the 340th became the direct responsibility of the newly activated 17th Air Division. The unit was redesignated as a Heavy Bombardment Wing in September 1962 in preparation for the phase-in of the B-52 bomber and KC-135 air refueling tanker. In August 1963, SAC disbanded the 340th at Whiteman AFB, MO (ex-Sedalia AFB) and redesignated the 4130th Strategic Wing located at Bergstrom AFB, TX as the 340th BW (Heavy) until deactivated on 2 October 1966. 340th Bombardment Group (M) was reactivated on 2 July 1968 and became the operational responsibility of 2nd Air Force and the 19th Air Division at Carswell AFB, TX. Although it had been given the designation of a bomb group, the 340th was organized and functioned as a SAC Wing. Personnel, security and logistical support was provided by the 7th Combat Support Group. Munitions maintenance was provided by the 7th BW's 28th MMS. The 340th had six squadrons assigned; Headquarters Squadron, Avionics Maintenance Squadron, Field Maintenance Squadron, Organizational Maintenance Squadron, 4111th Bombardment Squadron and the 4007th Combat Crew Training Squadron. The 340th BMG commanded by Col.Frank L.Voigtmann was organized and given the primary mission of conducting initial qualification training for FB-111 aircrew member. The 340th's staff and instructor received training in the F-111A at Nellis AFB, NV with the 4527th CCTS. In addition, the Group maintained a combat crew force capable of conducting bombardment operations. Col.Voigtmann was the first commander from 18th July 1968 until 1 May 1969 when Col. Winston E.Moore assumed command. The position of Vice Commander was not filled until 14 March 1969, when Col.Kenneth J.Green was assigned these duties. The 340th BG did not have a formal training course during its early months of reactivation. During Oct-Dec.68, all necessary staff and instructor personnel required for limited operation of the CCTS reported to the 340th BG. The personnel in place prier to this had all coordination for required schools and lead-in training completed with ATC and appropriate SAC agencies. From May 68 to June 69, T-33 qualified flying personnel of the 340th were attached to the 7th BW for standardization activities. These flying personnel did not include the staff and instructor personnel for the CCTS who were scheduled for FB-111 lead-in training based on SAC's graduation dates of the first student class. Actual entry dates for these CCTS instructor personnel were developed by the 340th DCO training section, ATC and SAC reprensatatives at a FB-111 conference at Randolph AFB in mid-December 1968. During the period of January through March 1969, the 340th's staff and instructor personnel attended lead-in training for the FB-111. These classes conducted at Carswell AFB, included FB-111 systems operations taught by the 4155 FTD, FB-111 Nav/Bomb Course taught by Mather AFB's 3535th Training Wing and academic training covering normal and emergency procedures, instrument flying, bomb nav procedures, etc., taught by the 4007th CCTS. Rated personnel of the 340th continued to fly the T-33 training missions to complete their AFM60-1 requirements. In February 1969, the Group acquired its first FB-111A mission simulator. From April to June 1969, the 340th increased in strength when it received 24 FB-111A instructor aircrews for lead-in training. These aircrews were assigned to the 4111th BS in a student status while undergoing training requirements for the FB-111A. These crews reported to the 340th in groups of eight at a time. The first eight crews started training on 1 April 1969 and by the end of the quarter, had completed three of the required training courses. These training courses were the Nav/Bomb Systems training at Carswell AFB, F-111A Systems Operation and F-111A Flight Training at Nellis AFB. Group 2 and 3 started their training on 2 May and 4 June 1969 respectively. In July 1969, the 4111th was redesignated as the 9th Bombardment Squadron (M) (one of the oldest and most decorated bomb squadrons in the Air Force and the first bomb squadron to fly the FB-111A).

Due to the delayed delivery of FB-111A from General Dynamics, the Group's training mission suffered. The group received four T-33A at the beginning of 1969 to allow the pilots to keep their flight pay while waiting for the first FB to arrive. Delivery of the first a/c, 67-7193, took place in late September 1969, followed by the second ,67-7194, in November and the third, 67-7195,  in December. The crash of a F-111 at Nellis AFB in December 1969 caused the grounding of all F and FB-111A a/c. The Group received additional T-33s until flying activities with the FB resumed in June 1970 and delivery of "FB" resumed on 25 July 1970. By the end of September, the unit possessed 20 FB-111A assigned aircraft. The Group's 4007th Combat Crew Training Squadron accepted its first student on 9 October. The second class began on 7 December 1970.On 7 October 1970, the 340th BMG's first major aircraft accident occurred when FB-111A 68-0253 crashed at Carswell AFB, causing the deaths of Lt.Col Robert S.Montgomery (9th BMS's Commander) and his navigator, Lt.Col Charles G.Robinson. The 340th BG participated in SAC's annual Bombing and Navigation Competition held at McCoy AFB, FL from 13 to 20 November 1970. Showing an outstanding performance, the group finished the competition first in bombing and second in navigation. The 340th also participated in the Strike Command Bombing and Navigation Comp held between the 17th and 23rd of April 1971. The aircraft was flown by Lt.Col Gooch and Lt.Col.P.Johnston. The FB-111A was not allowed to compete for the trophies but flew in the competition. When inactivated on 31 December 1971, the 340th BMG possessed 38 FB-111A.

When the FB-111A program started at Carswell AFB, Instructor Pilots and Instructor Navigators were members of the 9th BS, and were tasked to train newcomers to the FB.