First of new $95 million fighter jets arrives in Portland

The Portland Air National Guard base took delivery of its first new fighter jet in decades Wednesday.

Before now, the newest of Portland’s 17 fighter jets dated back to the 1980s. Meaning they’re still flown using buttons and dials, with only 1970s computer technology. They cannot jam enemy radar and have limited firepower.

But over the next few years, the fleet will be replaced by new F-15ex fighters from Boeing at a cost of about $95 million each.

“This is the first delivery of the new fighter jet to any operational unit in the entire Air Force,” said 142nd Wing spokesman Steven Conklin.

Pilot and Major Knife Conner flew the new fighter into Portland on Wednesday and said that, to the untrained eye, it looks much the same as the old planes.

“But I have a new radar. A new digital backbone. I’ve got new engines. I’ve got a new electronic warfare suite. I’ve got more pylons to put stuff (munitions) on. I’ve got beefed up landing gear, so I can take off and land at heavier weights,” Conner said.

These new planes are part of a massive overhaul of the Oregon Air National Guard facilities, located next to Portland International Airport. Hundreds of millions of dollars will be spent on new training facilities and a state-of-the-art hangar over the next few years.

National Guard troops flocked to the tarmac on Wednesday to welcome the new plane.

“People are very excited,” said Col. Mike Kosderka, a fighter pilot and the commander of the 142nd Wing. “If you look around there’s hundreds of people here … just to see the jet land.”

The Portland Guard’s current planes are designed to fight other jets in the air. Kosderka said the new planes could change that.

“This airplane… has the potential to grow to be multi-role, and have air-to-ground capability as well,” he said. “We don’t have that now. But that’s the place that we want to get to in the not-too-distant future.”