Here's what Karl was doing and where.

In 1977, the U.S. Air Force established the Constant Peg program. Formed as the 4477th Test and Evaluation Squadron (TES), Constant Peg was a Special Access, “black” program that operated Soviet MiG aircraft at the remote Tonopah Airfield in Nevada. Karl Whittenberg, USAFA Class of 1968, was one of the original seven Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps pilots to fly the Constant Peg MiG aircraft. From 1979 to 1982, Air Force Captain Whittenberg flew the MiG-17, MiG-21, and MiG-23 aircraft, training U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps aircrews in Soviet air-to-air tactics. The MiG pilots are known as the “Red Eagles.” Captain Whittenberg also flew the support aircraft including the T-38, F-5E, Cessna 404, and Mitsubishi MU-2B-60. Moreover, he had the opportunity to fly the MiG-21 and MiG-23 aircraft in Air Force Red Flag exercises headquartered at Nellis Air Force Base, NV. In 1988, the Air Force discontinued the Constant Peg program after accumulating 15,500 sorties and training 5,930 aircrews. In 2006, the Constant Peg program was declassified. After the program became declassified, Karl was able to share his MiG flying experience with his military colleagues and the public at large.


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