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Eagle Country

48th FW participates in “Baltic Trident”

By Airman 1st Class Jessi Monte

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England — Aircraft from the 492nd and 493rd Fighter Squadrons, and a small body of Airmen participated in exercise Baltic Trident at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, March 15-19, 2021.

48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Airmen prepare an F-15E Strike Eagle to return to Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, from Amari Air Base, Estonia after completion of Baltic Trident March 19, 2021. Baltic Trident was centered on the Agile Combat Employment concept of operations, showcasing the 48th Fighter Wing’s multi-capable Airmen and their ability to effectively carry out the mission away from home station with varying levels of support and a smaller manpower footprint. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessi Monte)
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Eagle Country

first F-15EX arrives at Eglin

By Ilka Cole & Samuel King Jr

The F-15EX, the Air Force’s newest fighter aircraft, rolls by an F-15C March 11 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The newly-arrived aircraft will be the first Air Force aircraft to be tested and fielded from beginning to end through combined developmental and operational tests. The 40th Flight Test Squadron and the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron personnel are responsible for testing the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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. 

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Eagle Country

104th Fighter Wing Flagship F-15 (85-0125) receives symbolic graphics

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.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jendrysik, left, 104th Maintenance Group, aircraft structural maintenance technician, and Master Sgt. Leo Burbee, right, 104MXG, aircraft structural maintenance supervisor, pose in front of the wing’s flagship F-15C Eagle’s new nose art in the wing’s Main Hangar Jan. 22, 2021. The graphic featured on both sides of the F-15, appears to display the American Flag, but upon closer look, the hundreds of names of members in the 104th Fighter Wing are visible. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Hanna Smith)

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.

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Eagle Country

F-15E Strike Eagles conduct routine flying ops at RAF Lakenheath

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)

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Eagle Country

Raging 389 FS Gunfighter creates multi-capable Airmen

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.

U.S. Air Force Airmen participate in exercise Raging Gunfighter at Michael Army Airfield, Utah, Feb. 1-4, 2020. This exercise furthered the multi-capabilities among Airmen and strengthened each other’s bond over the span of five days. (U.S. Air Force photo by JaNae Capuno)

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.

U.S. Air Force Airmen participate in exercise Raging Gunfighter at Michael Army Airfield, Utah, Feb. 1-4, 2020. This exercise furthered the multi-capabilities among Airmen and strengthened each other’s bond over the span of five days. (U.S. Air Force photo by JaNae Capuno)

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