The F-15E Strike Eagle, a fearsome multirole fighter, reigns supreme in the air-to-ground arena. One specific Strike Eagle, “LUCKY”, recently reached a prestigious milestone, reaching 15,000 flight hours during a combat sortie on May 17, 2024, while deployed within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
A U.S. Air Force 335th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief assists an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot, at an undisclosed location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 17, 2024.. (U.S. Air Force photo)
The Strike Eagle with tail number #89-0487 came into service in 1989, and hundreds of maintenance personnel have supported the platform over the nearly 35 years of service. However, one dedicated crew chief has been a part of many milestones with the aircraft.
A U.S. Airman, deployed from North Carolina’s Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, has been working on “LUCKY” since 2019. “I have worked on this jet when it reached the 13,000, 14,000 and now 15,000 flight hour mark,” said the Airman.
The U.S. Air Force has deployed the F-15E Strike Eagle to support U.S. Air Forces Central operations within the region for decades to support assurance and deterrence missions, including in support of OPERATION Desert Storm, OPERATION Enduring Freedom, and OPERATION Inherent Resolve. The U.S. Air Force has also equipped several nations with variations of the platform, and its global presence provides opportunities to integrate with allies and partners operating the same platform.
F-15E Strike Eagle aircrew, consisting of a pilot and weapon systems officer, exit the cockpit at an undisclosed location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 17, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo)
The first F-15E was delivered in April 1988, and the 15,000-flight hour milestone leaves a historic mark to the Strike Eagle community and serves as a testament to those who fly, service, and maintain the 219 aircraft in the Total Force inventory.
Nov 11, 2023 SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, North Carolina – In the hangars on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Airmen with oil-stained uniforms and tools in bruised hands prepared fighter jets for flight. Once the jets are ready the pilots and Weapon Systems Officers (WSO) encased within them took to the sky, ready to maintain air-dominance anytime, anywhere and against any foe in support of global interests.
The effort of these men and women, help the U.S. Air Force maintain itself as the strongest and most resilient airpower in the world. Since 1953, the Raytheon Trophy has been awarded annually to the top air-superiority or air-defense squadron in the U.S. Department of the Air Force.
F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets assigned to the 335th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, prepare for takeoff during Red Flag 18-1, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Jan. 30, 2018. (U.S Air Force photo by Lawrence Crespo)
The 335th Fighter Squadron, known as the ‘Chiefs,’ have received the coveted award for 2022. It is the first Raytheon Trophy awarded to an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter squadron in Air Combat Command history. Their exceptional show of force on the world stage, as well as the success of training exercises in fiscal year 2022, set them apart from their peers in a very competitive field of fighter squadrons across the Combat Air Forces.
The squadrons are graded on mission performance, exercise performance, organizational readiness inspection results and several other factors. Throughout their deployment, they flew over 1,400 sorties, logged over 4,000 flight hours, dropped over 150 bombs and shot 4 AIM-9Xs. The AIM-9X is called the Sidewinder missile, and it tracks its target with heat seeking capabilities.
Additionally, in calendar year 2022, the ‘Chiefs’ completed 11 temporary duty travels and 29 gold-standard agile combat employment events. They also led the Air Force’s largest F-15 Wing to train 97 Airmen/crew to be combat ready in a single year. Additionally, the ‘Chiefs’ provided defensive counter air throughout the USCENTCOM area of responsibility while simultaneously executing armed overwatch and close air support for 115 friendly positions in theater.
F-15 Eagle fighter jet pilots assigned to 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, cheer before taking off to participate in Red Flag 18-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Jan 30, 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andrew D. Sarver)
While maintaining air dominance and supporting ground positions in five countries, the ‘Chiefs’, as mission commanders, simultaneously executed President of the United States (POTUS) directed strikes with 18 bombs on nine hostile pivotal infrastructures.
“This award is a huge honor,” said the 335th Fighter Squadron Commander. “There are 48 other multi-role fighter squadrons in the United States Air Force and the Chiefs were the first unit on SJAFB to win it. The ‘Chiefs’ utilize F-15E Strike Eagles, making us one of three total F-15 squadrons to ever win the award.”
Out of all the fighter squadrons in the force, the ‘Chiefs’ maintainers, pilots and WSOs excelled above the rest. Their diligence, determination and lethality enabled them to accomplish various missions.
“Winning this award shows that the 4th Fighter Wing is still a very lethal and credible wing,” said the 335th Fighter Squadron Commander. “The 335th FS definitely demonstrated their capabilities down range. The camaraderie they show for being chosen as the top air-dominance squadron in the U.S. Air Force, in 2022, gives us a lot of pride. It is a huge accomplishment for Team Seymour and the Chiefs!”
A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle pilot, assigned to the 159th Fighter Squadron, Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida, taxis for takeoff during Weapons System Evaluation Program East 21.12 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 20, 2021. WSEP, operated by the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, is a formal evaluation of a squadron’s ability to conduct air-to-air live fire missions in a training environment in order to prepare pilots and weapons systems officers for combat. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Betty R. Chevalier)A U.S. Air Force Airman, assigned to the Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida, waits to marshal out an F-15C Eagle during a round of takeoffs during Weapons System Evaluation Program East 21.12 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 20, 2021. WSEP, operated by the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, is a formal evaluation of a squadron’s ability to conduct air-to-air live fire missions in a training environment in order to prepare pilots and weapons systems officers for combat. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Betty R. Chevalier)
