ADVERSARICAL F-5S

摘要

The Northrop Grumman 'F-5 Tiger II has supported naval aviation training since 1975. Tom Kaminski explains how the platform has remained a core asset for training US combat pilots. Introduced in 1975, Northrop Grumman's Tiger II has supported naval aviation training and still does to this day. This commenced when ten single-seat F-5Es and three two-seat F-5Fs first entered service with the Navy Fighter Weapons School Topgun' at Naval Air Station (NAS) Miramar, California, and fighter squadron VF-43 at NAS Oceana, Virginia, serving as adversary platforms to simulate enemy aircraft. The jets were part of a large group that was originally operated by or intended for the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnamese) Air Force (RVNAF). The later acquisition of 22 F-16Ns and four TF-16N two-seat trainers by the US Navy and the lease of IAI F-21 A Kfirs from Israel resulted in the transfer of the navy's original F-5s to VF-126 at NAS Miramar in 1985 and strike fighter squadron VFA-127 at NAS Fallon, Nevada in 1987. Many Tiger IIs were also operated by four USAF aggressor squadrons from 1975 to 1990. Replacement of the USAF jets with F-16Cs and a later reduction in the service's aggressor fleet made additional aircraft available for transfer to the US Navy. As a result, Tiger IIs were assigned to VF-45 at NAS Key West, Florida, and marine fighter training squadron VMFT-401 at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma, Arizona, in 1989.