Eagle Country

Kingsley Eagles Help F-35 Pilots Train at Eglin AFB

Post author By Jan-Peter
Post date June 5, 2021
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By Senior Airman Adam Smith, 173rd Fighter Wing

Oregon Air National Guard F-15C Eagles, Airmen, and pilots flew across the nation to Eglin Air Force Base from May 1-15, 2021, to participate in the F-35A Lightning II B-Course training program as Adversary Air, commonly referred to as “Red Air”.

F-15 pilot — U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Julius Romasanta, 173rd Fighter Wing Instructor Pilot, prepares to start a U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle before a sortie, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 10, 2021.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col Kevin Welch, TDY project officer, said the Eagle Drivers stayed busy while in Florida.

“We fly four jets in the morning, and four in the afternoon, against anywhere from two to four F-35s,” said Welch. “On the maintenance side, they’re helping us support that mission and making sure the jets are turning and flying every go.”

Eagle Country

Poseidon’s Rage surfaces at Souda Bay

Post author By Jan-Peter
Post date June 4, 2021
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Aircrew assigned to the 492nd Fighter Squadron, prepare to launch in support of exercise Poseidon’s Rage at Souda Bay, Greece, May 31, 2021. The inaugural multinational exercise serves to develop and improve U.S.- Hellenic air readiness and interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)

U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, taxi after completing their first sortie during Poseidon’s Rage at Souda Bay, Greece, May 31, 2021. Exercises like Poseidon’s Rage encompass Agile Combat Employment concepts by improving strategic basing options, ensuring the U.S. is postured to provide lethal combat power across the spectrum of military operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, taxis prior to take off during exercise Poseidon’s Rage at Souda Bay, Greece, May 31, 2021. Engagements such as Poseidon’s Rage help to optimize interoperability among U.S. forces and its NATO allies to deter, defend and win across the spectrum of conflict. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)

Eagle Country

USAF Could Lose 2 Squadrons of F-15C/Ds in Fiscal 2022

Post author By Jan-Peter
Post date June 2, 2021
No Comments on USAF Could Lose 2 Squadrons of F-15C/Ds in Fiscal 2022

The U.S. Air Force would lose two squadrons of Boeing [BA] F-15C/D air superiority fighters if Congress enacts the service’s fiscal 2022 budget plan.

The Air Force plans to reduce its F-15C/Ds by 48 next fiscal year from 234 to 186. The latter is the same number of Lockheed Martin [LMT] F-22 stealth fighters that the service has.

Amazon.com: Posterazzi An F-15 Eagle pilot from the 67th Fighter Squadron at Kadena Air Base Okinawa Japan flies in formation with his wingman Poster Print, (17 x 11): Posters & Prints — USAF/DoD Photo

The Air Force request could face particularly strong congressional headwinds, given that one of two possible replacements for the F-15C/D, the Boeing F-15EX, is not rolling off the production line in sufficient numbers to take up the slack. By the end of fiscal 2022, the Air Force budget says that it will have, as now, just two F-15EXs in service. The F-15EXs are in testing at Eglin AFB, Fla.

Eagle Country

Astral Knight 2021

(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alex Fox Echols III)

U.S. Air Force and Hellenic Air Force personnel join together at the conclusion of exercise Astral Knight, May 21, 2021. The 48th Fighter Wing trained with military forces from Albania, Croatia, Greece, Italy, and Slovenia as well as U.S. units from around European Command enhancing the readiness, strength and cohesion of these alliances. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alex Fox Echols III)

Two U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles assigned to the 493th Fighter Squadron taxi after a sortie during exercise Astral Knight 21 at Larissa Air Base, Greece, May 20, 2021. The 48th Fighter Wing trained with military forces from Albania, Croatia, Greece, Italy, and Slovenia as well as U.S. units from around European Command enhancing the readiness, strength and cohesion of these alliances. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alex Fox Echols III)

A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle assigned to the 493th Fighter Squadron parks after a sortie during exercise Astral Knight 21 at Larissa Air Base, Greece, May 21, 2021. Astral Knight is a multinational, integrated air and missile defense exercise conducted in the Adriatic Region of Europe designed to enhance interoperability between the U.S. and its NATO allies in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alex Fox Echols III)

Eagle Country

air refueling operations with F-15EX Eagle II

Post author By Jan-Peter
Post date May 19, 2021
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