The 58th was called upon in August 1990 when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. Twenty-four F-15s under the command of Colonel Rick Parsons departed Eglin Air Force Base for King Faisal Air Base, Saudi Arabia as part of the build up of coalition forces in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In the early morning hours of 17 January 1991, Operation Desert Storm commenced. Captain John J.B. Kelk claimed the first aerial victory by downing the first MiG-29. As the war progressed, the 58th flew 1,689 combat sorties and destroyed 15 other enemy aircraft. During the course of the war, the 58th accomplished feats that no other coalition member matched including: the most air-to-air kills, the most double kills, and the most sorties and hours flown by any F-15 unit in theater. The 58th also destroyed the most MiG-29s (a total of five) and had the only wing commander who had an air-to-air victory.
The 58th is part of the 33rd fighter wing based out of Eglin AFB, Florida. The 58th has now moved on from the F-15 and is the 1st squadron set to receive the all new F-35 Lightning II, and will serve as a joint training base for Air Force, Navy, and Marine F-35 pilots.
The 58th is part of the 33rd fighter wing based out of Eglin AFB, Florida. The 58th has now moved on from the F-15 and is the 1st squadron set to receive the all new F-35 Lightning II, and will serve as a joint training base for Air Force, Navy, and Marine F-35 pilots.
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