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The 122 FS and 131 FS deployed at Hohn AB, Germany

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Nuzzo and Senior Airmen Adian Sugrue, electrical and environmental specialists with the 104th Maintenance Squadron, 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts National Guard, run diagnostics on an F-15 Eagle during exercise Air Defender 2023 (AD23) at Hohn Air Base, Germany June 13, 2023. Exercise AD23 integrates both U.S. and allied air-power to defend shared values, while leveraging and strengthening vital partnerships to deter aggression around the world. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Hanna Smith)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Clayton Demming, a crew chief with the 104th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts National Guard, cleans landing gear on an F-15 Eagle aircraft prior to take-off in preparation for exercise Air Defender 2023 (AD23) at Hohn Air Base, Germany June 13, 2023. Exercise AD23 integrates both U.S. and allied air-power to defend shared values, while leveraging and strengthening vital partnerships to deter aggression around the world. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Hanna Smith)
U.S. Air Force Capt. Patrick “Stratus” Kurtz, a pilot with the 123rd Fighter Squadron, 142nd Fighter Wing, Oregon Air National Guard, performs preflight checks on an F-15 Eagle aircraft prior to take-off during exercise Air Defender 2023 (AD23) at Hohn Air Base, Germany June 13, 2023. Exercise AD23 integrates both U.S. and allied air-power to defend shared values, while leveraging and strengthening vital partnerships to deter aggression around the world. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Hanna Smith)
A U.S. Air Force weapons armament specialist with the 104th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts National Guard, signals to F-15 Eagle pilot prior to take-off in preparation for exercise Air Defender 2023 (AD23) at Hohn Air Base, Germany June 13, 2023. Exercise AD23 integrates both U.S. and allied air-power to defend shared values, while leveraging and strengthening vital partnerships to deter aggression around the world. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Hanna Smith)
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550th FS Silver Eagles

story by 1st Class Jakob Hambright, 56 FW/PA

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. – For the Airmen at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, the mission to train the world’s greatest fighter pilots revolves around two aircraft; the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-35 Lightning II. Geo-separated, the 550th Fighter Squadron based at Kingsley Field, Oregon, and assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing, extends the mission to include the F-15C Eagle.

Attached to the 173rd FW, the 550th FS serves as the U.S. Air Force’s only formal F-15 training unit and is the largest total force integrated active association in the Air Education and Training Command.

“Our mission is to train the world’s greatest F-15C fighter pilots,” said Lt. Col. Paul Baker, commander of the 550th FS. “We also focus on developing and training our multi-capable enlisted support force of the 550th.”

As the active duty F-15C Formal Training Unit mission transitioned to the Kingsley Field, the 550th FS was activated.

(U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jennifer Shirar)

“The 550th executes the TFI construct to a high degree of success,” said Baker. “We’re able to provide valuable insight and knowledge to the 56th FW on something that is ingrained in how the U.S. Air Force operates as a total force.”

While operating at Kingsley Field, the 550th FS has seamlessly integrated with various units in the 173rd FW, allowing the 550th FS to maintain itself while being separated from the 56th FW.

“The 550th Fighter Squadron is an integral piece of the 173rd Fighter Wing,” said Col. Lee Bouma, 173rd FW commander. “When you look across our wing, it is impossible to tell who is a guardsman and who is active duty.”

The 550th FS works closely with the 56th FW to accomplish the mission.

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104th Fighter Wing in Action

F-15C Eagles take off as part of a training exercise Nov. 4, 2022, at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts. The 104th Fighter Wing is trained to provide around-the-clock Aerospace Control Alert, providing armed F-15 fighters ready to scramble in a moment’s notice to protect the northeast United States from any airborne threat. (U.S. Air National Guard photo illustration by Randy Burlingame)
F-15C Eagles take off as part of a training exercise Nov. 4, 2022, at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts. The 104th Fighter Wing is trained to provide around-the-clock Aerospace Control Alert, providing armed F-15 fighters ready to scramble in a moment’s notice to protect the northeast United States from any airborne threat. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Randy Burlingame)
F-15C Eagles take off as part of a training exercise Nov. 4, 2022, at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Randy Burlingame)
F-15C Eagles take off as part of a training exercise Nov. 4, 2022, at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Randy Burlingame)
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Brig. Gen David Eaglin visiting Exercise Keen Sword 23

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. David Eaglin, 18th Wing commander, greets Airman 1st Class Catherine McManamon, 372nd Training Squadron crew chief, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 17, 2022. McManamon launched Eaglin in support of Exercise Keen Sword 23. Exercises like Keen Sword allow Japan Self-Defense Forces and U.S. military forces to work together across a variety of areas to enhance interoperability and readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis Redin)
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. David Eaglin, 18th Wing commander, inspects an F-15C Eagle prior to his flight at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 17, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis Redin)
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. David Eaglin, 18th wing commander, smiles as he performs pre-flight checks on an F-15C Eagle at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 17, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis Redin)
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Eagles retiring from Kadena AB

Air Force to replace F-15s on Okinawa with more advanced fighters on rotation.

TOKYO — The Air Force will withdraw its two squadrons of F-15 fighters on Okinawa over two years starting Tuesday and replace them with rotational squadrons of more advanced fighters, an Air Force spokeswoman said Friday.

A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle, assigned to the 67th Fighter Squadron, takes off on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 24, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rhett Isbell)

The Department of Defense “will commence a phased withdrawal” of F-15 C/D Strike Eagles deployed to Kadena Air Base, spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said in an emailed statement provided by Kadena to Stars and Stripes on Friday evening.

Published reports Thursday and Friday said the rotational aircraft will come initially from F-22 squadrons in Alaska.