Ironman was all about flying under fire, a test to see if nerves of the outgoing FB-111A aircrews were truly made of steel and the polish still shined. "First thing, we have to accomplish the mission and come back in one piece" said Captain Patrick Pope, FB-111A radar navigator. "We are staying professional and sharp, right until the end of the FB-111A era." It was an ending which sent many crews into different areas. But on May 20 and 21, 1991, they were here being tested by other hunters who were still honing their combat skills. 120 crews participated in this locally created aerial work out. Those crews included a host of many who were divided into teams, Blue for the good guys and Red for the bad guys. The Red air force was composed of F-16s from the 158th TFG/ VT ANG and 107th TFG/ NY ANG. Crews of A-7s from the 112th TFG/PA ANG, F-15s from the 102nd TFG/MA ANG, CF-18s from 433rd squadron/ CAF and 380th BW's FB-111A composed Blue air force. An E-3 AWAC from Tinker AFB and 380th BW's KC-135s also participated as neutral.

Ironman pitted FB-111A crews against various other fighters from around the Northeast. Flying missions over the Adirondacks and throughout New York, the bombers had three targets to reach on the Army's Fort Drum bombing range, near Watertown. Aircrews from the 528th and 529th Bomb Squadrons dropped Mk 106 practice weapons on ground targets. Meanwhile, the F-16 crews from Burlington, VT and Niagara Falls, NY gave chase to the FBs, trying to shoot them down during fighter intercept exercises. " An F-15 and F-16 turned circles around us. But we got down low, and tried to fake him out, beat him in his mind. We ran like hell and met our objectives. The CF-18s who escorted us tried to shoot down the F-16s before they nabbed us." said Capt. Shaun Sorenson, FB-111A pilot. When the bombers got to the range, they were welcome by the 62nd Air Defense Artillery Unit personnel using simulated surface-to-air missiles, trying to knock the bombers down. Communications were also jammed from the ground. After the mission, FB-111A were refueled by tankers from the 380th BW and returned home.

For many FB crews, this was the last chance to prove their ability. "It will be sad to leave the flying community, " said Captain Sorenson. "It's my last chance to go out and 'fly' the jet. It's been a good airplane. It's reliable." Captain Pope expressed the same sentiment about losing the aircraft. "It's a bittersweet feeling knowing that a lot of flying careers are ending. It's good to see so much pride and professionalism displayed at the end." commented Pope. We want to stay sharp until the very end and even though we know we're not going to be utilized, it's a good feeling to have done this." he said.

By July 10, 1991, the FB-111A era came to an end when the last FBs departed Plattsburgh AFB.