(photo by M.Boesmans) 

During one week in August 1986, more than seventy aircraft from eight nations participated in the first major NATO event of its kind to be held in Britain, code named "UK AIR 86". The primary objective of this meet was to offer a unique opportunity for NATO air forces to operate jointly in a simulated hostile environment and from a single air base, RAF Waddington. A complex serie of missions was flown over a five-days period against defended target areas simulating the Central Region of Europe. A lot of emphasis was put on the use of ECM on the ground and in the air with the help of EF-111 Ravens from the 20th TFW at RAF Upper Heyford, RAF Nimrod AEW.3 and NATO E-3 A Sentry.

The 509th BMW was tasked by CINCSAC to participate in the Fighter Meet under 'Operation Tea Party'. When the FB-111A force shifted its emphasis to conventional bombing, NATO became its main focus of operation and this exercise was a welcome opportunity to train in different conditions.The 509th BMW was able to demonstrate its ability to deploy, employ and successfully complete a conventional mission scenario. Six integral crews were selected to participate in the exercise and since it was to be very demanding and required a high level of expertise, inexperienced crews were excluded from selection. An extensive local training program was developed to prepare each aircrew for conventional visual bombing tactics and composite formation flying. Ground training classes concentrated on visual bombing procedures and to familiarize aircrews with preflight of the SUU-20 dispenser, and the specifics of MK-106 employment. The 509th BMW deployed five FB-111As and two KC-135s in support of Operation Tea Party on July 19, 1986. The five FB-111As; 63-7196 "Ruptured Duck", 68-0257 "Next Objective", 68-0267 "Memphis Belle II", 68-0273 "Milk Wagon" and 68-0275 "Bomble Bee" deployed to RAF Lakenheath for training operations in preparation for the TFM.While at Lakenheath, 509th's aircrews were helped by 48th TFW's aircrews in local procedures and conventional weapon delivery tactics and procedures.The 509th BMW deployed to RAF Waddington on July 30 in preparation for the actual meet which was held between August 4 and 8. This was the first time the Strategic Air Command had participated in an exercise of this type and the deployment proved to be very successful. The 509th BMW achieved a 100% sortie completion rate with 84 total sorties scheduled and accomplished during the deployment. This 100% sortie completion rate was directly attributed to the efforts of the maintenance team. Included in their efforts were four complete engine changes and repairing one aircraft with extensive damage due to a bird strike. Many lessons were learned during the TFM. The actual exercise identified several areas where training programs could be improved to benefit future similar type missions such as Red Flag and Maple Flag. One benefit from participating in those exercises was to define what an FB-111A could and could not do. When compared to smaller fighter aircraft, its heavier payloads, increased range and high speed must be emphasized while its large size, limited maneuverability and poor cockpit visibility should be mentioned. Specific rules limited one of the FB's most unique capabilities, its all-weather TFR flight. UK low level rules specifically prohibited IFR TFR, either day or night. Following the exercise, many recommendations were offered for future conventional training exercises. For maintenance, the major lesson learned was that proper anticipation of problems and in-depth planning prevents major difficulties. Problems encountered of a major nature were the following; engines changes, double throttles cable change, 12 fuel leaks in both engine bays on one aircraft, wing interconnect fuel leak, bird strike destroying radome and leaking fuel manifold.

Some highlights of the FB-111A participation included the most consecutive 'Code One' sorties; 11 by "Ruptured Duck". "Bomble Bee" was credited with most 'kills' of all FB-111A armed with AIM-9 missiles: two Tornado aircraft, one F-4, a Belgian F-16A, a USAFE camera crew, a maintenance line shack and a seagull! The bird strike destroyed the nose radome and the aircraft recovered at RAF Lossiemouth.

A little known fact is that the FB-111A had an air-to-air capability. Prier to the deployment, five aircraft were "temporarily" modified with the requisite W-24 wiring to the stick for stations 4 & 5. FB #193 blew a spoiler actuator on taxi out and was quickly replaced by 273 just back from Depot. That jet did not have the wiring installed.

The 509th BMW redeployed from RAF Waddington to Pease AFB on August 9, 1986. In conclusion, the 509th's participation in UK-AIR Tactical Fighter Meet 1986 was accomplished with outstanding results. In a new and demanding conventional role, the 509th's crews produced outstanding bombing scores. On occasion, they were the only element in the strike package able to successfully penetrate, locate and strike the assigned target. UK AIR allowed 509th's crews the opportunity to increase their low-level flying proficiency by operating away from their standard mission profiles.

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