| The F-111 first flew in
December 1964 under the TFX (tactical fighter, experimental) designation. It was developed
to meet a joint service requirement for a long range interceptor and deep-strike
interdictor. Entering the US Air Force service in 1967, it saw action in the Vietnam war,
where structural defects and problems with the terrain-following radar caused the loss of
several aircrafts. Withdrawn for modifications, the F-111 was reintroduced with
considerable success in 1972, earning the nickname "Whispering Death" from the
Vietcong. Dubbed Aardvark which is
Afrikaans for "Earth Pig" ( because of its long snout), the F-111 fighter-bomber
was favored by Tactical Air Command ( TAC ) units for use on long range, deep interdiction
attacks against targets within enemy territory. The FB-111A was used by the Strategic Air
Command ( SAC ) as a medium bomber (See patch below). The Aardvark has side-by-side
seating for the pilot and weapons systems operator. The two crew members sat in a pressurized capsule which served as an emergency escape module. This module was designed to permit safe escape throughout the entire flight and could serve as a survival shelter on the ground or in the sea. A Pave Tack laser designator system
enables pinpoint delivery of  ordnance. The F-111's wings can be changed in flight from a straight
to swept-back delta configuration, hence sometimes they are referred to by their nicknames
"Swinger" and "Switchblade".
In 1975, the F-111A underwent modifications
by Grumman Aerospace resulting in the EF-111A, which was the electronic warfare derivative
of the Aardvark, so it was hardly surprising that its crews quickly adopted the unofficial
name "Spark Vark" for their mount. When the modifications were completed, the
airframes had been totally re-wired, the weapons bay had been modified and the aircraft
was outfitted with the AN/ALQ-99E jamming system which jams enemy radar signals and
provide a protective electronic shield for attacking aircrafts.
Initial operational capability (IOC) was
achieved in November 1983, and the EF-111A was named the "Raven". Prior to the
official designation, Grumman referred to the EF-111A as the "Electronic Fox".
As mentioned earlier, the EF-111A community commonly referred to it as the "Spark
Vark". The Raven has no armament capability and is therefore forced to rely on
high-speed evasion in the event of running into fighters.
However, a dwindling US Defence budget and
the drive to consolidate forces, led to the decision to withdraw the Raven from service.
The last unit to operate the much-loved and highly effective EF-111A Raven was the 429th
Electronic Combat Squadron ( ECS ) at Cannon AFB, New Mexico. The official retirement
ceremony was hosted by the 27th Fighter Wing at Cannon AFB, over 1 ~ 3 May 1998, with the
final deactivation on 19 June. The Ravens now reside among other classic types in the
dusty rows of Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC) formerly known as Military Aircraft
and Storage Disposition Center (MASDC). AMARC is located in the Davis-Monthan AFB way out
in the Arizona desert and is the "mecca" for literally thousands of surplus
aircrafts.
Another era in aviation history has been
drawn to a close with the retirement of the EF-111A Raven from US Service.
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