Back in 1986, the B-1B flight test program was using F-4s , F-111s, and sometimes a civilian T-38 for acceptance/test flights. Workload constraints and increasing costs in using these aircraft was also becoming a problem. A dedicated B-1B chase aircraft was needed and the F-106 was chosen. In March 1986, Det 15 Contract Management Division (AFSC) to support the B-1B program contracted by Rockwell Inc. at plant 42 at Palmdale CA was started. Eight F-106s would be assigned between 10 Oct 86 and 06 July 90. The first F-106, "B" model 57-2513 from Kelly AFB TX, arrived at Palmdale on 18 Oct 86. Last to depart was F-106A 59-0061 on 06 July 90 to AMARC. Jerry Roth, a F-106 crew chief, designed the distinctive tail flash -- a real eye-catcher! Chase flights were also flown out of Tinker AFB OK, the B-1B depot.
Tail Numbers
Prior Station
Date arrived
Date Left to DM
57-2513 (B)Kelly AFB 10 Oct 86 25 June 90
58-0795 (A) Kelly AFB 30 Oct 86 03 Mar 87
59-0008 (A) 159th FIS 12 Dec 86 18 Mar 87
59-0060 (A) 159th FIS 24 Jan 87 27 Jun 90
59-0061 (A) Kelly AFB 06 Feb 87 06 July 90
57-2535 (B) 159th FIS 03 Mar 87 03 Apr 89
57-2509 (B) 159th FIS 23 Mar 87 24 May 90
59-0149 (B) 119th FIS 02 Aug 88 14 Jun 90
Here were the F-106 crews
Lt. Col. Bob Chamberlain, pilot
Lt. Col.Brent Hedgpeth, pilot
Lt. Col. Larry Harjes, nav
Lt. Col. Jimmie Luttrell, nav
Lt. Col. Richard Fisher, nav
Major Jim Robbins, pilot
Capt. Alex Ivanchishin, nav
Gary Olin (Rockwell), pilot
Ed Ford (Rockwell), pilot
John DaDay (Rockwell), pilot
Below information was compiled by Marty J. Isham, with help from Chief Jon May - NCOIC of Maintenance at Palmdale CA.
Final fate for the eight B-1B Chase F-106s
(1) 58-0795 was converted to drone S/N AD180 and was shot down at Tyndall on its first pilotless drone mission by an AIM-7 missile on 11 May 94.
(2) 59-0008 was converted to drone S/N AD167 and was shot down at Tyndall on its seventh pilotless drone mission by an AIM-120 missile on 05 Nov 98.
(3) 59-0060 was converted to drone S/N AD127 and was shot down at Holloman on its third pilotless drone mission by an AIM-120 missile on 16 June 95.
(4) 59-0061 was converted to drone S/N AD156 and was shot down at Tyndall on its first pilotless drone mission by an AIM-9 missile on 03 Sept 93.
(5) 57-2535 was converted to drone S/N AD109 and was shot down at Tyndall on its third pilotless drone mission by an AIM-9 missile on 01 Sept 93.
(6) 59-0149 was converted to drone S/N AD261 and was shot down at Tyndall on its second pilotless drone mission by an AIM-120 missile on 06 Nov 97.
(7) SURVIVOR 57-2509 was converted to drone S/N AD268 but was written off at Tyndall as being unflyable after catching fire during pre-flight checks for its first pilotless drone mission. It and five other written off QF-106s from Tyndall were subsequently purchased by a private individual and are being restored in El Paso TX. 57-2509 is the first bird being restored, with the intention of making it flyable again. Click here for further details on the private El Paso F-106 project.
(8) SURVIVOR 57-2513 returned to DM on 25 June 90. It was never converted to a drone or at least it never had a drone serial number painted on its nose. However, it often flew in support of the drone program as seen in this 15 Sept 92 photo and other photos. (These are Erv's notes) Click here for some more 57-2513 background information.
