It's the end of an era.
The last three F-15 jets in the state are gone...making way for Hawaii's newest military aircraft to take to the skies.
Three Hawaii Air National Guard pilots prepare to say aloha to the F-15 eagle fighter jet.
"Enjoy the last one."
"Its very bittersweet, so I've flown the eagle for over ten years," says Mallory."Its like saying goodbye to an old friend a good friend of mine said," says Lt. Col Mark Ladtkow, F-15 pilot.
At its peak Hawaii was home to two dozen eagles...the aircraft was first created in 1975 and brought to the islands three years later.
"Its been guarding Hawaii skies for 23 years now," says Lt. Col Chuck Anthony, Hawaii Air National Guard.
Now the Hawaii Air National Guard is upgrading its defenses with 20 F-22 raptors.
"Totally different airplane it's a fifth generation fighter with fairly revolutionary advances...and the ability to have the first shot and the first kill in our future combats,"says Lt. Col Ladtkow.
As much as they look forward to the new jets its hard to say goodbye to such a trusty companion.
"We will definitely miss the eagle," says Mallory.
"She's been really good to me for the last 17 and a half years always brought me home safe," says Lt. Col Ladtkow.
Headed for Nevada and Montana the jets are checked and ready for their final flight from Hawaii.
But don't despair while the eagle has landed somewhere else during the interim the air defense mission goes on...the Montana Air National Guard is here on standby in case anything should happen.
