Eagle Country

By Ilka Cole & Samuel King Jr

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. —

The F-15EX, the Air Force’s newest fighter, touched down here March 11.

The aircraft will be the first Air Force aircraft to be tested and fielded from beginning to end, through combined developmental and operational tests.

“It’s a special day for the base and our mission,” said Brig. Gen. Scott Cain, 96th Test Wing commander. “We’re very proud to be part of the next evolution of this historic aircraft. I look forward to seeing this unique test collaboration prepare the F-15EX for the warfighter.”

The aircraft bears its unit insignia. EX1 marked with “ET” from the 96th TW’s, 40th Flight Test Squadron. The EX2, arriving in April, will display the “OT” tail flash to represent the 53rd Wing’s 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron. 

By Staff Sgt. Hanna Smith,Barnes Air National Guard Base, Mass. —

After about six-months of designing and planning, the 104th Fighter Wing’s flagship F-15C Eagle, tail number 125, received new nose art graphics in late December.

The roughly six-foot by four-foot nose art graphic, featured on both sides of the F-15, appears to display the American flag, but upon closer look, displays the hundreds of names of members in the 104th Fighter Wing.

Master Sgt. Leo Burbee, 104th Maintenance Group, aircraft structural maintenance supervisor, and Westfield native, was part of the team behind the jet’s new nose art decals.

The 48th Fighter Wing conducts routine flying operations at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Feb. 12, 2021. The Liberty Wing is postured to provide worldwide responsive combat airpower in support of its allies and partners across a wide spectrum of military operations. (U.S. Air Force video by Staff Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)

By Senior Airman JaNae Capuno, 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho — The sun set over Utah’s snow-capped mountains, casting orange and blue hues of light which engulfed a freshly built base, constructed by nearly 100 Airmen from almost every squadron at the 366th Fighter Wing.

Personnel, exhausted from a hard day’s work, turned in early – preparing for the following days to come. The exercise, dubbed as “Raging Gunfighter”, had only begun. Airmen would need to work together as a team to sustain their living for nearly a week.

Raging Gunfighter tested the capabilities of Airmen to deploy at a moment’s notice, Feb. 1 – 4, to Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah.

The 48th Fighter Wing “Liberty Wing” at RAF Lakenheath is postured to respond to demanding scenarios and continuously focuses on keeping forces ready for high-end missions through daily training and readiness exercises. February 9th 2021 (U.S. Air Force photos by Airman 1st Class Jessi Monte)