The General Dynamics F-111 “Aardvark” entered service in 1967 as a medium-range aircraft
designed for interdiction and tactical strikes. The F-111 was used as an all-weather attack
aircraft capable of low-level penetration of enemy territory. It also could be used for
reconnaissance and electronic warfare. Some unique features are variable geometry wings,
the 2 crew members sat side by side in an escape capsule, internal weapons bay, terrain
following radar and afterburning turbofans. The USAF retired their last F-111 in 1998.

On July 8, 1958 the 48th BG(light) became the 48th TFW. They were known as the “Liberty
Wing” and in 1986 F-111F 70-2390 “Miss Liberty II” was the lead F-111 in Operation El
Dorado Canyon. This was retaliation for a Libyan sponsored bombing of a Berlin night club
that killed 1 U.S. Serviceman and a civilian also injuring 200 others of which 63 were U.S.
Military personnel. 70-2390 flew with the call-sign Remit 31. The 48th TFW F-111’s were
operational from March 1, 1977 until November 1991.

Specification for the General Dynamics F-111F
Role – Multi-purpose Tactical Fighter Bomber
First Deployed – October 1967
Production – 106 x F-111F
Total Production All Variants - 563
Crew – 2
Performance
Engines – 2 x Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-100 turbofans, 25,100 lb.s.t. per engine using
afterburners
Fuel Capacity
Internal - 5,043 US gallons
Total Capacity - 7,443 US gallons with maximum external fuel
Maximum speed – 1,453 mph @ 53,450 ft / 914 mph @ sea level
Initial climb rate - 25,550 ft per minute (clean)
Service Ceiling - 56,650 ft
Combat Radius – 1,330 miles
Maximum Ferry Range – 3,634 miles with external fuel

Dimensions
Wingspan - 63 ft 0 in (extended), 32 ft 0 in (swept)
Length - 73 ft 6 in
Height - 17 ft 0 in
Wing Area - 525 sq ft

Weights
Empty - 46,172 pounds
Gross - 82,819 pounds
Maximum Take-off - 98,950 pounds

Armament
Up to 4 x nuclear bombs on 4 pivoting wing pylons
AND
2 x in internal weapons bays
Wing pylons carry a total external load of 25,000 pounds (11,250 kg) of bombs, rockets or
fuel tanks
20 x CBU-52
20 x CBU-59
20 x CBU-71
8 x CBU-87
8 x CBU-89
20 x MK-20
4 x BL-755

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