Portland-based 142nd Fighter Wing celebrates 30 years of flying F-15 Eagles

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Oregon Air National Guard is celebrating 30 years of flying F-15 Eagles in Portland.

The 142nd Fighter Wing at the Portland Air National Guard Base first received their F-15's in 1989.

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They use the jets to defend the pacific northwest homeland from Northern California to the Canadian border.

“More than just an aircraft, it’s more about the people here. We have a really unique ability in how we can see our organization in how we see our we’re able to grow and innovate and provide warfighting capability, because of the people," said Paul Shamy, the Assistant Director of Operations for the 123rd Fighter Squadron.

The base employs over 1,500 airmen. As part of Saturday's celebration, crews from Portland, Klamath Falls, and even an air base in Nevada held a friendly competition at the base.