25 April 1990 – F-15C (CR 81-0049)

From 23 to 27 April 1990, the biennial air defence exercise ‘Elder Forest’ was held. The core purpose of the exercise was to test the UK’s integrated air defence network. Besides the RAF, allied forces from France, Germany, Norway, Italy, Denmark, and the US also participated in the exercise.

During the exercise, the “Wolfhounds” acted as the “Orange” aggressor forces. They launched continental intercept raids from Soesterberg to cross the North Sea and test the United Kingdom’s air defences. One of the participating Eagles was tail number 81-0049. It was part of a three-ship formation of F-15s on its way to the UK on Wednesday 25 April. While flying over the North Sea, one of the engines suddenly caught fire, which subsequently caused a total loss of all hydraulic power.

Pilot Major George D. Hulsey had no choice but to eject. Major Hulsey was shortly after picked up by an oil-rig supply vessel and brought ashore in the UK, where he was transported to a hospital in Ipswich. The unpiloted F-15 crashed into the North Sea, 9 miles off Spurn Point, Humberside. Following standard post-ejection medical evaluations and survival debriefs, Major Hulsey returned to active flight status with the 32nd.