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F-5 FREEDOM FIGHTER
The Northrop F-5 comprises a series of supersonic light fighter aircraft developed as a privately funded endeavor in the latter part of the 1950s by Northrop Corporation. The primary models include the original F-5A and F-5B Freedom Fighter variants, and the significantly modernized F-5E and F-5F Tiger II variants.
The F-5, initially introduced as a training aircraft with the USAF's 4441st Combat Crew Training Squadron at Williams Air Force Base, embarked on a remarkable journey on 30 April 1964. This was the day when the aircraft, originally designed for customer nations' training, began its transformation into a combat-ready machine. This evolution, from a humble training aircraft to a formidable combat machine, is a story that is sure to captivate any military aviation enthusiast or historian.
The USAF's doctrine regarding the F-5 changed after operational testing and limited deployment in 1965. The initial combat evaluation of the F-5A started at the Air Proving Ground Center, Eglin AFB, Florida, in mid-1965 under Project Sparrow Hawk. Unfortunately, one airframe was lost during the project due to pilot error on 24 June.
In October 1965, the USAF initiated a five-month combat evaluation of the F-5A, titled Skoshi Tiger. A total of 12 aircraft were delivered for trials to the 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, and after modification with probe and drogue aerial refueling equipment, armor, and improved instruments, were redesignated
F-5C. Over the next six months, they flew in combat in Vietnam, flying more than 2,600 sorties from the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Bien Hoa Air Base over South Vietnam and from Da Nang Air Base, where operations were flown over Laos. Despite the loss of nine aircraft, seven to enemy ground fire and two to operational causes, the F-5's performance was commendable, earning it a place of pride in the annals of military aviation history.
The F-5's small size and similar performance to the Soviet MiG-21 made it an excellent choice as an opposing force (OPFOR) 'aggressor' in dissimilar training. This role was crucial in providing realistic training scenarios for US Pilots. During realistic trials at Nellis AFB in 1977, known as ACEVAL/AIMVAL, the F-14 reportedly achieved slightly better than a 2:1 kill ratio against the simpler F-5, while the F-15 scored slightly lower. However, there are conflicting reports, with another source stating that 'For the first three weeks of the test, the F-14s and F-15s were hopelessly outclassed and demoralized'. After adapting to the capabilities of the F-5, carrying the new all-aspect AIM-9L missile and implementing rule changes to artificially favor long-range radar-guided missiles, 'the F-14s did slightly better than breaking even with the F-5s in non-1 v 1 engagements; the F-15s got almost 2:1'. A 2012 Discovery Channel documentary Great Planes reported that in USAF exercises, F-5 aggressor aircraft were competitive enough with more modern and expensive fighters to only be at a small disadvantage in Within Visual Range (WVR) combat.