The 333rd Fighter Squadron was moved to Seymour Johnson from Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., without personnel or equipment, effective Oct. 1, 1994. Under the 4th Fighter Wing’s, 4th Operations Group, the squadron’s new mission is to conduct formal training for F-I5E aircrew members.
The mission of the 333rd Fighter Squadron is to train F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews. The unit does this with 18 F-15Es and 280 people. Training consists of four courses: instructors, transition, basic and senior officer checkout. The instructors course lasts 2 1/2 months and involves training experienced F-15E aircrews how to become instructors.
The basic course lasts seven months and trains new pilots and weapon systems officers to fly the F-15E. This course is the largest of the four.
The transition course is for experienced fighter crews who are changing to the F-15E. This course lasts four months.
The senior officer checkout course is for senior officers who have been assigned to a base with F-15Es. The course lasts a month.
Squadron Photos
F-15E Strike Eagle 89-0472 from the 333rd Fighter Squadron takes off at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, Jan. 14, 2021. The Strike Eagle uses two crew members, a pilot and a weapons systems officer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kimberly Barrera)
An F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 333rd Fighter takes off at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, March 11, 2021. The aircraft uses two crew members, a pilot and a weapons system officer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kimberly Barrera)
An F-15E Strike Eagle from the Air Force 333rd Fighter Squadron launches from Boca Chica Field. Naval Air Station Key West (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian Morales/ Released)
Lt. Col. Nicole Malachowski, 333rd Fighter Squadron commander, conducts pre-flight inspections in an F-15E Strike Eagle prior to take-off on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., May 8, 2013. Malachowski has recorded more than 2,100 flying hours in her career. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho/Released)
Lt. Col. Nicole Malachowski, 333rd Fighter Squadron commander, conducts a pre-flight inspection of an F-15E Strike Eagle on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., May 8, 2013. Aircrew members conduct a physical inspection of the aircraft prior to flight to check for discrepancies and ensure serviceability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho/Released)
333rd Fighter Squadron deployed at Ellsworth AFB, S.D July 2021 (DoD photo)
Retired Lt. Col. Robert Pardo in front of a 333rd Fighter Squadron F-15E Strike Eagle during a tour of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Oct. 10, 2014. Pardo is known for his “Pardo’s Push” maneuver as a 433rd Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4 Phantom pilot stationed at Ubon Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, when he saved another F-4 aircrew from having to eject in North Vietnam by pushing their plane in the air over the Laotian border and into relative safety. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ashley J. Thum)
Lt. Col. Thomas Palmer, outgoing 333rd Fighter Squadron commander, delivers a speech during the 333rd FS change of command ceremony, June 30, 2015, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C
