The 336th Fighter Squadron is stationed at Seymour-Johnson AFB, North Carolina. In October 1989 the 336th became the first operational F-15E Strike Eagle squadron in the Air Force.
As the first F-15E squadron, the Rocketeers deployed to Southwest Asia on Aug. 9, 1990, in support of Operation Desert Shield. In December 1990, the 336th redeployed to Saudi Arabia in preparation for Operation Desert Storm. On Jan. 16, 1991, the Rocketeers launched 24 aircraft against targets in Iraq to begin Operation Desert Storm and the liberation of Kuwait. The first night was an unqualified success as the fighting Rocketeers put their bombs on target and returned home safe and sound. By the end of Operation Desert Storm the 336th had flown 1,100 combat sorties, logging 3,200 hours and dropping 6.5 million pounds of ordnance on enemy targets, including a combination of general purpose, cluster and laser-guided bombs.
Since 1991, the 336th Fighter Squadron has maintained combat-ready status, postured for rapid global deployment of fighter aircraft to conduct air-to-air, air-to-ground, strategic attack, and deep interdiction missions.
Following the onset of the Global War on Terrorism in 2001, the squadron deployed repeatedly to combat theaters in the Middle East in support of ongoing operations.
On 18 July 2009, F-15E aircraft serial number 90-0231 crashed in eastern Afghanistan, resulting in the loss of both crew members, Capt. Mark R. McDowell and Capt. Thomas J. Gramith. U.S. military officials reported that the aircraft was not brought down by enemy action.
In fiscal year 2013, mandatory federal budget reductions under sequestration—implemented on 1 March after Congress failed to reach a deficit-reduction agreement—forced Air Combat Command to direct widespread stand-downs and flying-hour reallocations. Units were either placed in rotational stand-down, maintained full combat readiness, or reduced to “basic mission capable” status for portions of the fiscal year. The 336th Fighter Squadron was grounded from 9 April through 30 September 2013.
In October 2014, the Rocketeers deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, conducting strike missions against ISIL targets in Iraq and Syria.
In October 2021, the squadron deployed to Larissa Air Base, Greece, to participate in Exercise Castle Forge. During its 2021–2022 deployment to U.S. European Command (EUCOM), the 336th Fighter Squadron became the first American unit to execute the NATO Enhanced Air Policing mission in Romania and Estonia. Tasked with defending NATO’s eastern flank during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the squadron provided continuous armed overwatch while supporting non-combatant evacuation operations along the Ukrainian-Polish border.
In 2023, the Rocketeers deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. During this deployment, the 336th Fighter Squadron flew 913 sorties, executed 22 higher-headquarters taskings, and completed eight joint and coalition missions. The unit integrated with partner nations during Operations Iron Riptide and Southern Beach, and participated in Cope India 2023 at the direction of the White House. Additionally, the squadron maintained 882 hours of Distant Sea Operations alert, intercepting Russian and People’s Republic of China bomber patrols, as well as PRC naval fighters operating from a forward-deployed carrier strike group.
336th Fighter Squadron photos
A group of F-15E Strike Eagles from the 4th Fighter Wing, prepare to depart Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, March 26, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lee A. Osberry Jr./Not Released)
Members of 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing leadership and Lt. Col. Trinidad “Moses” Meza, 336th EFS deputy operations group commander and weapons system officer, pose for a group photo March 21, 2018, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. During the flight, Meza reached 4,000 flying hours, all of which were accrued in the F-15E Strike Eagle. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Krystal Wright)
F-15E Strike Eagle aircrew hold up their 336th Fighter Squadron flag, June 13, 2019, at 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, as they complete their deployment and return home to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.. The 336th FS deployed from the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, bringing additional air power to Team ADAB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Thornbury)
Two F-15E Strike Eagles from the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina taxi the runway at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, June 13, 2019.. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Thornbury)
A 336th Fighter Squadron patch is displayed on an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot, June 13, 2019, at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. The 336th FS deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, to join Team ADAB’s diverse inventory of air power. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Thornbury)
Capt. “Spear” Del Ponte, 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron pilot, prepares for flight for Agile Strike Sept. 18, 2019, at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Thornbury)
Two F-15E Strike Eagles, assigned to the 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, taxi before flight for Agile Strike Sept. 18, 2019, at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Thornbury)
An F-15E Strike Eagle sits on the flightline at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, Feb. 10, 2021.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kylie Barrow)
The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing is saying farewell to the 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, as they complete their deployment and return home to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. (via antonio gonzalez)
Airmen assigned to the 336th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, perform maintenance on an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets during Red Flag 21-1, at Nellis AFB Nevada, Feb. 4, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dwane R. Young)
Capt. James McCloskey, weapons system officer assigned to the 336th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, says a prayer on an F-15E Strike Eagle before a Red Flag 21-1 mission, at Nellis AFB, Nevada, Feb. 4, 2021.
Two F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets assigned to the 336th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, taxi on the flight line before a Red Flag 21-1 mission at Nellis AFB, Nevada, Feb. 4, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dwane R. Young)
An F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet assigned to the 336th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, taxis past F-22 Raptor fighter jets, assigned to the 525th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, during Red Flag 21-1 at Nellis AFB, Nevada, Feb. 4, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dwane R. Young)
An F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet assigned to the 336th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, lands on the flight line after a Red Flag 21-1 mission at Nellis AFB, Nevada, Feb. 4, 2021. . (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dwane R. Young)
An F-15E Strike Eagle from the 336th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is in-air refueled by a KC-46 Pegasus from the 916th Air Refueling Wing in the sky over North Carolina, Sept. 3, 2020. The flight was the first time the KC-46 in-air refueled the F-15E since arriving on base this year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kimberly Barrera)
A KC-46 Pegasus from the 916th Air Refueling Wing in-air refuels F-15E Strike Eagles from the 336th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base over the sky of North Carolina, Sept. 3, 2020. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kimberly Barrera)
F-15E Strike Eagles from the 336th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base fly in formation in the sky over North Carolina, Sept. 3, 2020. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kimberly Barrera)
An F-15E Strike Eagle from the 336th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base flies in the sky over the North Carolina coast, Sept. 3, 2020. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kimberly Barrera)
An F-15E Strike Eagles from the 336th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base breaks out of formation as the fly in the sky over North Carolina, Sept. 3, 2020. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kimberly Barrera)
Just behind an F-15E, two Chinooks take flight to provide air support for a mission, Nov. 22, 2009. This F-15E is deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. in support of Operation Enduring Freedom throughout Afghanistan.
Brig. Gen. Steven Kwast (Pilot- front seat) and Capt. Ryan Bone (Weapons-Systems Officer- back seat) is marshaled into a parking spot after landing Nov. 22, 2009. Today marked a very important day for Bone, he surpassed 1,000 flying hours. “It feels good, reaching 1,000 hours in my first assignment,” he said. “Not a lot of guys do that.” Bone is deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., and hails from Gainesville, Fla. Kwast, the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, was previously stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB as the wing commander.
Members of the 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron congratulate Capt. Ryan Bone (left) after a mission, Nov. 22, 2009. Today marked a very important day for Bone, he reached the 1,000 flying hours. “It feels good, reaching 1,000 hours in my first assignment,” he said. “Not a lot of guys do that.” Bone is deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., and hails from Gainesville, Fla.
Brig. Gen. Steven Kwast (left) and Capt. Ryan Bone (right) after their mission, Nov. 22, 2009. Today marked a very important day for Bone, he reached the 1,000 flying hours. “It feels good, reaching 1,000 hours in my first assignment,” he said. “Not a lot of guys do that.” Bone is deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., and hails from Gainesville, Fla. Kwast, the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Commander, was previously stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB.
Airmen from the 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., ready F-15E 88-1675 Strike Eagle from the 336th Fighter Squadron for flight May 4 at Hill AFB, Utah. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw)
From left, Capt. Thomas Larner, 336th Fighter Squadron weapons systems officer, and Capt. Matthew Woodruff, 336th FS pilot, prepare an F-15E Strike Eagle to depart, Feb. 28, 2014, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C
An F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 336th Fighter Squadron flies alongside a KC-135R Stratotanker during Exercise RAZOR TALON, Nov. 15, 2013
F-15E 89-0501 Strike Eagle flies over eastern North Carolina during Exercise Razor Talon at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Feb. 7, 2013. Razor Talon is a monthly, large force exercise and joint-unit training opportunity to employ cutting edge operational concepts such as AirSea and Maritime Air Support on the Atlantic Coast. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin)
Rocketeers during Operation Desert Shield
In December 1990, the 336 TFS Rocketeers moved from Thumrait AB Oman, to Al Karj Air Base, Saudi Arabia to be closer to the battlefield in support of Operation Desert Shield. (photos made by Ssgt Rose Reynolds)
F-15E 88-1692 “Spirit of Goldsboro” 336 TFS caught on camera during Operation Desert Shield. 88-1692 would be shot down by a SA-2 On January 19th 1991, crew POW and released after the war.
F-15E Eagle fighter aircraft from the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., are parked on a desert air field during Operation Desert Shield.
