DR. DAVID L. BULLOCK 21st Space Wing/History Office 775 Loring ...

Later that year, the wing expanded into the escort rather than
only the intercept business. Two Soviet MiG-29 “Fulcrum” aircraft, which
were traveling to their first air show in North America, officially visited the
21st at Elmendorf, not only to refuel, but as a gesture of goodwill. This
event marked the first time the MiG-29 fighters landed on the continent,
and the 21st’s aircraft were there to escort them in, help them refuel, and
play host.
The final upgrade of the 21st fighter inventory came with the addition of the
90th Tactical Fighter Squadron and the famous F-15E “Strike Eagle” in May 1991.
The wing scarcely had completed pilot training on the new fighter-bomber when
word of the Air Force Restructuring Program hit the Alaskan theater. The Air Force
directed each base to have one wing and one commander; consequently, the wings of
Alaskan Air Command consolidated aircraft, personnel and resources under one
wing, the 3rd at Elmendorf. Although out of the business of flying, the 21st soon
transitioned into the cutting edge of military operations - space.
Colonel Stuart L. Alton
Commander, 21st Tactical Fighter Wing
17 October 1986 - 22 August 1988
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