From Bar Napkins to Eagle Wings

by David J. Loeffler
California Military Department Public Affairs

Sept. 10, 2025

MATHER, Calif. — It took the herculean efforts of dedicated crews to transport, demilitarize and paint an F-15 Eagle in preparation for it to be placed at the California Military Department as a permanent historical display honoring two fighter pilots, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Nehring and Col. Ivan Petrenko who were killed in a plane crash on Oct. 16, 2018, during the Clear Sky exercise in Ukraine. The joint multinational exercise was hosted by Ukraine and sponsored by U.S. Forces in Europe to increase interoperability between Ukraine, its partners, and the U.S. Air Force.

For over three decades, the California National Guard has partnered with Ukraine through the National Guard’s State Partnership Program. The SPP program brings California National Guard teams to Ukraine and sends Ukrainians to the United States for side-by-side training, enhancing both forces and fostering a strong bond that supports democracy.

“Even though [the F-15] reached the end of its airworthy life, it lived on through the parts it gave back to the rest of the Eagle community, allowing us to keep flying these amazing aircraft,” said Master Sgt. Landon Tompkins, the Interim Fabrication Flight Chief of the 144^th Fighter Wing. "Seeing [aircraft], now with our heritage paint scheme, going to the State Headquarters to be seen by all will be a testament to all the airmen of the 144th Fighter Wing is truly something special. Being part of this evolution and seeing it dedicated to [Nehring and Petrenko] for their sacrifices is truly an honor and a story we will not forget.”

The F-15 Eagle was originally chosen to receive a heritage paint job to commemorate the 194th Fighter Squadron's 75th anniversary. The patch inside the right-hand vertical tail was designed for the 75th anniversary, showcasing every aircraft that the 194th FS has flown. The Fighter Squadron has a proud history, dating back to its establishment at Naval Air Station Alameda in 1946. For decades, 194^th Fighter Squadron has set the stage for the Air National Guard with its Air Sovereignty Alert mission, a mission it proudly continues today.

“I am proud of the effort our airmen took to help transform our F-15 Eagle to a piece that will honor the memory of Lt. Col. Seth “Jethro” Nehring and Ukrainian Air Force Col. Ivan Petrenko," said Col. Joel "JP" Pauls, Commander of the 144th Fighter Wing. "The efforts clearly demonstrate the love we had for “Jethro”, and this will serve as a lasting tribute to his memory.”

The griffin paint scheme was designed on bar napkins over drinks in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, during a deployment at a former Strategic Air Command base. Inspiration came from both the 194th FS patch and the on-base heritage F-86 bearing “Ol’ Leroy”, the mascot of the 194th Fighter Squadron and the 144th Fighter Wing.

The F-15 Eagle will take its "fini flight", a term coined to indicate a pilot or jet's final flight, in late September when it will be moved to its permanent location at the California Military Department's Consolidated Headquarters Complex. During the demilitarization process, all usable parts are carefully harvested and repurposed in the remaining fighter aircraft to keep the beloved F-15 Eagle mission alive.

A ceremony is planned for October 16th to dedicate the jet in honor of Nehring and Petrenko.