Airport Activities: New Inyokern Airport Tenants Bring Vintage Jets to Indian Wells Valley

Steve Sykes, former member of the Royal Air Force, now calls Ridgecrest home and works as an air frame mechanic for TAC AIR. Daily Independent photo by Ruth Justis

BY RUTH JUSTIS (rjustis@ridgecrestca.com), Staff Reporter
Published: Thursday, April 27, 2006 5:41 PM CDT

Among the newest tenants at Inyokern Airport is a company called TAC AIR - Tactical Air Support Inc. - a group of retired military pilots with an innovative idea that can save money for the government while allowing them to continue doing what they love; flying.

R. C. Thompson heads the group, which offers opposition force training for the Navy, or any other military agency which needs their assistance. They fly electronic counter measures or ECM.

“In the 1990s, the Navy and Air Force got rid of their aggressor opposition forces. Two groups were assigned to specific bases, but the majority were disbanded. It is now cheaper to get a commercial contractor, with less expensive airplanes, to fly the training missions. We can draw from the talent of retired pilots, use less expensive planes with upgraded systems onboard and provide a cost effective way for the military to get the job done,” Thompson said.

TAC AIR finds Inyokern an ideal location for their program, with access to LeMoore and the two squadrons at China Lake, VX 9 and VX 31.

“This is a support operation. We use L29 trainers and MIGs with American engines. We get the planes in pieces - completely gutted. We rebuild them with upgraded parts and spend our money for radar scramblers and other cutting-edge systems, which improve the training operation.

“Currently we have four L29 Super Delfin trainers and two MIGs in the hangar. We have another plane in Reno and will soon have 10 aircraft ready to fly,” Thompson said.

“Our MIG 17 was built in 1963 to fly in Siberia. That one gets a bit warm up there in the desert sun. The MIG 15, two-seat trainer was built in 1959. We use it to check out our pilots,” Thompson said.

Most of the pilots currently flying with TAC AIR are retired OS6 Navy commanders, tactical pilots and those with Top Gun status.

TAC AIR will begin hiring local personnel as the contracts come in. They have already flown some training missions with pilots from China Lake.

“How big we grow depends on the business we can generate,” said Daniel Greene, business developer and marketing specialist for the company. “If all goes well, we should have the planes up pretty regularly in the next six months. We are a ‘product' and the military has to place an order and sign a contract. It's a very real requirement and we can do the job 75 percent cheaper than the government.”

“This is a great opportunity for engineers who want some part time or full time work. We will need ground personnel as well as pilots,” Thompson added.

TAC AIR has established a second branch in Reno, Nev., to service the base at Fallon and would like to expand to San Diego.

“Inyokern is located in the middle of Restricted Area 2508, which goes from the mountain range south of the valley all the way to Mt. Whitney. It's ideal for training missions. There are three primary training facilities in the area - Fresno's Air National Guard, LeMoore and Ridgecrest; Fallon, Nev.; and San Diego, which includes carrier battle groups operating off the coast of California. Each facility has different requirements and needs different aircraft,” Green said.

What TAC AIR provides are blips on a radar screen that teach pilots to maneuver when faced with opposition forces. They do not engage in dog fights, but do intercept, merge with, and pass the opposing planes. Missions usually consist of three or four runs, as pilots perfect skills at electronic counter measures, Greene said.

“This program offers drastic savings to the American public. Even when we acquire top level aircraft, we can still operate cheaper than the military. It also extends the service life of military aircraft by not having to use them as opposition forces. They fly fewer missions and last longer, saving the cost of replacing them,” Greene said.

Steve Sykes, former member of the British Royal Air Force, hired on with the company three months ago.

“I'd been over here with the RAF several times since 2001 and decided to stay. I met my wife, who manages Vagabond Inn, last year. I came back and married her and hired on with TAC AIR. I'm an air frame mechanic. I really like the ‘can do' attitude of this company. Anything that provides jobs and saves money is a good thing, I say.”

Airport Manager Scott Seymour is also pleased to have the group in residence.

“It's good for the airport and we're very excited to have them here,” Seymour said. “It may be a bit noisier, but it's a sign of growth.”