Tag: RAF Lakenheath

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MISSION READY

INSIDE THE BEST FIGHTER SQUADRON OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE

If you are looking for a thrilling Christmas gift, what better that one of the best F-15 Eagle related books

Mission Ready is a visual narrative about a world that’s not accessible to most of us. Until now. Documentary photographer and creative director Patrick van Dam gives us a realistic and uncensored insight into the “Best Fighter Squadron of the U.S. Air Force”. Through compelling images, he offers an insider perspective of the legendary 493rd Fighter Squadron’s daily operations. This is not Top Gun. This is better. This is real.

From 2016 to 2021, Van Dam was granted access to several restricted military airbases and experienced first-hand what it takes to be a fighter pilot during a training mission in an F-15 Eagle. His contemporary photography is never shy of demystifying a sometimes romanticized world, yet always with an aesthetic point of view.

The photographs are complemented by stories from prominent “Grim Reapers” like Gulf War veteran and three-time “MiG Killer” Col. (Ret.) Cesar “Rico” Rodriguez. The result is a gripping book about an organization with unspoken rules and principles that takes pride in its honor and bravery.

The 493rd Fighter Squadron, also known as the “Grim Reapers”, is a combat mission-ready squadron and provides air-to-air offensive and defensive support for the United States and NATO operations. It is part of the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), located at RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom. The 493rd was the last squadron in Europe flying the F-15 Eagle. Since 1994, they have conducted air superiority missions in the Balkans, Middle East, and Baltics. Since 1994, the 493rd has been awarded the coveted Raytheon Trophy for being the top Air Superiority Squadron of the U.S. Air Force, no less than six times. A unique and unconquered achievement.

In 2022, the squadron transitioned to the new 5th-generation F-35A Lightning II, marking the end of an era for the presence of the F-15 Eagle in Europe.

What are you waiting for, get this unique book and click on “MISSION READY “ to order your copy now! Enjoy

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492nd Fighter Squadron arrive at Lask AB

Six U.S. Air Force F-15 Strike Eagle fighters from Royal Air Force Lakenheath’s 48th Fighter Wing arrived at Łask Air Base, Poland to begin deterrence operations on NATO’s Eastern Flank, Nov. 27, 2022. As part of U.S. European Command’s initiative to bolster collective defense posture and Allied integration, the Strike Eagles will take over the fighter mission from the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. The 90th EFS will return to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska after a successful deployment in support of NATO’s Air Shielding mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Claire Waldo)
Six U.S. Air Force F-15 Strike Eagle fighters from Royal Air Force Lakenheath’s 48th Fighter Wing arrived at Łask Air Base, Poland to begin deterrence operations on NATO’s Eastern Flank, Nov. 27, 2022. As part of U.S. European Command’s initiative to bolster collective defense posture and Allied integration, the Strike Eagles will take over the fighter mission from the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. The 90th EFS will return to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska after a successful deployment in support of NATO’s Air Shielding mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Claire Waldo)
Six U.S. Air Force F-15 Strike Eagle fighters from Royal Air Force Lakenheath’s 48th Fighter Wing arrived at Łask Air Base, Poland to begin deterrence operations on NATO’s Eastern Flank, Nov. 27, 2022. As part of U.S. European Command’s initiative to bolster collective defense posture and Allied integration, the Strike Eagles will take over the fighter mission from the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. The 90th EFS will return to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska after a successful deployment in support of NATO’s Air Shielding mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Claire Waldo)
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48th Fighter Wing Night Ops

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494th Fighter Squadron at TLP 22-3

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, taxis after landing at the Tactical Leadership Programme 22-3 at Los Llanos Air Base, Spain, Sept. 9, 2022. TLP has become the focal point for NATO’s Allied Air Forces tactical training and development of knowledge and leadership skills, necessary to face today’s air tactical challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Charles Welty)
U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle pilots assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, step prior to takeoff during the Tactical Leadership Programme 22-3 at Los Llanos Air Base, Spain, Sept. 12, 2022. TLP has become the focal point for NATO’s Allied Air Forces tactical training and development of knowledge and leadership skills, necessary to face today’s air tactical challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Charles Welty)
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle maintainer assists pilots, both assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, exit their aircraft after landing at the Tactical Leadership Programme 22-3 at Los Llanos Air Base, Spain, Sept. 9, 2022. The Liberty Wing’s F-15s were the first foreign aircraft to arrive in Spain for the two-week NATO course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Charles Welty)
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The 494th FS spearheads a new deployment model

By Tech. Sgt. Dhruv Gopinath and Tech. Sgt. Rachel Maxwell

SOUDA AIR BASE, Greece —
U.S. F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron, stationed out of Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, conducted an Agile Combat Employment movement to Souda AB Greece, within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, July 15, 2022.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Curtis Culver, 494th Fighter Squadron commander, smiles as he watches two F-15E Strike Eagles return after completing an Agile Combat Employment movement between combatant commands, at Souda Air Base, Greece, July 15, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)

“We wanted to operationalize the concept of agile forces conducting operations in multiple combatant commands from a single geographic location,” said Lt. Col. Curtis Culver, 494 FS commander. “We demonstrated that we can rapidly move aircraft between combatant commands, and be ready for contingency operations in either.”

U.S. Air Force Capt. Sean Blye, an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron, from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, conducts pre-flight checks at Souda Air Base, Greece, July 15, 2022. Blye acted as mission flight lead while conducting flight operations from Souda AB to an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, in an effort to exercise cross-combatant command Agile Combat Employment operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)

In order to validate the concept, the 494 FS flew two of its Strike Eagles from Souda Air Base, Greece to the CENTCOM AOR, which landed, refueled and then returned the same day.

“It was a really cool experience overall,” said Capt. Sean Blye, the mission’s flight lead. “It was great to see all the different teams come together to make it seamless and show just how easy it is to send out airpower across multiple combatant commands in a single day.”

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