The F-106 was the ultimate development of the USAF’s interceptor program of the early 1950s. It was envisaged as a specialized all-weather missile-armed interceptor to shoot down bombers. The first prototype flew on 26 December 1956. The Air Force ordered 350 F-106A’s, delivered to 15 fighter interceptor squadrons along with the F-106B two-seat combat-capable trainer variant, starting in October 1959. On 15 December 1959, Major Joseph W. Rogers set a world speed record of 1,525.96 mph at 40,500 feet. The “Delta Dart” served the 5th Fighter Interceptor Squadron from February 1960 to April 1985. The unit had a total of 45 F-106s assigned and experienced 9 losses. The aircraft measured 70.7 feet in length, had a wingspan of 38.25 feet, and stood 20.28 feet high. It was powered by one Pratt and Whitney J75-17 afterburning turbojet with 24,500 pounds of thrust, had a maximum speed of Mach 2.3 or 1,525 mph, a range of 1,800 miles, a service ceiling of 57,000 feet, and a rate of climb of 29,000 feet per minute. Its armament consisted of one 20mm caliber M61A1 Vulcan 6-barreled rotary cannon and missiles including 2 AIM-4F Falcon, 2 AIM-4G Falcon, and 1 AIR-2A Genie nuclear rocket or AIM-26 Super Falcon missile.