For almost three decades, the roar of F-15 Eagle engines has been part of the very air over southern Oregon, as the 173rd Fighter Wing at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls trained 1,080 F-15 pilots in "the art of air superiority." But now, that chapter is finally closing — a solemn, yet forward-looking transition is underway, as the venerable F-15s at Kingsley Field prepare to step aside for their next-generation successor.

A Legacy of Excellence

The 173rd Fighter Wing has flown F-15s in one form or another since 1998. Originally operating older A/B models, the unit upgraded to F-15C/D Eagles in the mid-2000s, becoming the U.S. Air Force's only dedicated F-15C formal training unit. Over the years, Kingsley Field has been instrumental in producing "Eagle Drivers" — F-15 pilots mastering high-G, high-threat air-to-air combat. These Eagle drivers have created a lasting legacy of being 104–0 in air-to-air combat.

This mission has deeply shaped the identity of the wing and the local community. In 2018, the City of Klamath Falls extended the 173rd's lease at Kingsley Field until the year 2095, signaling strong local support even as change loomed.

Why the F-15 Era Is Drawing to a Close

Several interlinked factors are driving the end of F-15 operations at Kingsley Field.

Aging Airframes. The F-15C/D fleet is a proven combat-tested aircraft, although it is structurally fatigued. The jets at Kingsley Field are well past the original designed service life.

Diverging Training Needs. As the Air Force modernizes, it is shifting its training focus toward newer platforms. In particular, the 173rd Fighter Wing was selected as the preferred location as a US formal training squadron for the F-35A Lightning II.

The Final Class and the Final Flight

A milestone moment came on September 26, 2025, when the 173rd Fighter Wing graduated its final class of F-15C Eagle pilots: 1st Lt. Jared Piubeni, 1st Lt. Dustin Kopp, and 1st Lt. Aaron Zedella. These last three Eagle drivers have gone on to their respective next units in Portland, Oregon and New Orleans, Louisiana.

The men and women of the 173rd Fighter Wing have said farewell to all the jets they have launched, worked on and recovered for the past several decades. Most of these aircraft are now retired and a few of these jets are now museum pieces at locations like the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. Most F-15 aircraft taxied for their final takeoff from Kingsley Field, bound for the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona. The last F-15 departed Kingsley Field on December 22, 2025.

What Comes Next — Wings of the Future

The transition isn't just symbolic — it's active and underway.

  • F-35 Preparations. Kingsley Field is on track to become a training base for F-35A pilots. Kingsley pilots and maintainers are currently attending F-35 training, and this will increase over the next 20 months.
  • Facilities to Follow. An environmental impact study is in progress, and infrastructure upgrades are planned as part of preparing for the projected F-35 mission.