Eagle Country
By Airman 1st Class Jessi Monte
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England —
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England – F-15C Eagles and F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, participated in a live missile fire exercise Dec. 8-10, 2020.
The exercise was conducted in conjunction with QinetiQ, a UK-based multinational defense technology company. The aircraft carried modified AIM-9M infrared-guided missiles fired at flare packs being towed 300 feet behind a drone.
By Senior Airman Christopher S. Sparks, 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England — One of the more popular aircraft assigned the 48th Fighter Wing is “The King” F-15C Eagle, the last remaining heritage jet at RAF Lakenheath. The aircraft were painted to honor the 48th Fighter-Bomber Group, which flew World War II P-47 Thunderbolts, in support of operations in Europe, including the Invasion of Normandy June 6, 1944.
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By Tech. Sgt. Matthew Plew, 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Uvda Air Base, Uvda, Israel — Twelve F-15E Strike Eagles along with 262 Airmen attached to the 48th Fighter Wing, 494th Fighter Squadron from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England deployed to Israel in support of exercise Juniper Falcon from May 7 – 22, 2017.
The 494th conducted Defense Counter Air integration training with the Israeli Air Force designed to improve Israel’s qualitative military edge through air readiness; while building on the enduring partnership between the U.S. and Israel.
“This exercise was important for the 48th Fighter Wing because it gave us an opportunity to train with an important partner that we don’t always get to train with,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Evan Pettus, 48th Fighter Wing commander. “We were able to build upon our interoperability as a force and increase our confidence that we can employ together cohesively should the need ever arise.”
These training sorties, which focused on air interoperability, gave the 494th “Mighty Black Panther” pilots the chance to take part in flying operations unique to the region; allowing them to become more familiar with the airspace that their Israeli allies are charged to protect.
“It’s important to continue these types of exercises because, one of the great strengths of our Air Force is to be able to work with our partners and increase our interoperability and mutual understanding of each other’s tactics,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Alfaro, 494th Fighter Squadron detachment commander.
Juniper Falcon 17 represents the combination of several bi-lateral component/ Israeli Defense Force exercises that have been executed annually since 2011. These exercises were combined to increase joint training opportunities and capitalize on transportation and cost efficiencies gained by aggregating forces. Juniper Falcon, together with Juniper Cobra (held during opposite years), is part of the annual exercise continuum between United States European Command and the IDF.
By Airman 1st Class Eli Chevalier, 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published February 21, 2017
Airmen come and go, and deployment locations change, but over the last quarter of a century, one thing has remained constant at RAF Lakenheath: the combat air power projected throughout Europe and Africa from the 48th Fighter Wing’s F-15E Strike Eagles.
Col. Evan Pettus, 48th FW commander, said the 25th anniversary is a special milestone.
“This milestone is a reminder of the breadth and depth of the U.S. commitment to our partners and allies in NATO,” he said. “The Strike Eagle was our Air Force’s most modern machine when it landed at RAF Lakenheath 25 years ago, and it’s been upgraded continuously ever since. Today’s F-15E is far more lethal than ever before.”
While assigned to RAF Lakenheath, the Strike Eagle squadrons have supported combat operations in locations including Iraq, the Balkans, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Libya, and have participated in exercises at more than 20 nations around the world.
