For any frequent visitor to RAF Coningsby the sight and sound of an F-15 Eagle from RAF Lakenheath isn’t such an unexpected sight in terms of a low overshoot or a much needed gas and go. However, with the runway at Lakenheath in need of resurfacing work after daily punishment from the busy C and E model fighters, the 493rd Fighter Squadron, the ‘Grim Reapers’ took the opportunity to deploy to RAF Coningsby and gain valuable hours with their British counterparts in the form of 3(F) Squadron and their Typhoon FGR4s.
The first of a total of eight F-15Cs arrived at Coningsby on 29th June with the runway not expected to be available at Lakenheath again until 6th July. The Lakenheath Viewing area was also closed in order that maintenance vehicles could use this access point. "The repairs are essential to ensuring the long-term safety of our runway while maintaining our ability to train and prepare for our Air Force and NATO commitments," said Lt. Col. David Allen, 48th Operations Support Squadron director of operations.
The deployment and soaring English summer heat brought out enthusiasts in their numbers. With easterly winds prevailing for much of the week beginning 29th June, the official ‘spotters’ car park was bursting at the seams with enthusiasts lining the perimeter fence at the Runway 07 end.
On the afternoon of 1st July 2009 seven Eagles flew including serial 86-0156 carrying MiG-29 mission kill markings achieved during operations over Bosnia in 1999. Serial 86-0159 also carries a mission kill from the same conflict.
On recovery to Coningsby there were some slight difficulties in terms of English-English American communications, in that the American pilots declared their intention to ‘full stop’ rather than ‘land’ as per their English counterparts!
Whilst the repairs to the runway at Lakenheath might have proven disruptive, the Grim Repears were determined to take something positive out of the situation. "We are excited to join our friends and allies at RAF Coningsby while our runway is under repair," said Lt. Col. Skip Pribyl, 493th Fighter Squadron director of operations. "We really appreciate the opportunity and look forward to enhancing our ability to fulfill our U.S. and NATO commitments."
"We see this visit to RAF Coningsby as a great opportunity to work directly with our UK counterparts in the Typhoon squadrons.
"We've flown training missions with them before in the local ranges, but the chance to work with these NATO allies face-to-face has been limited. We're looking forward to taking this mutually beneficial relationship another step forward by working with them on the ground, before and after the flights, instead of strictly while we're in the air. I expect we will learn from each other tremendously and we'll improve our already strong relationship."
The deployment certainly brought the return of the afterburner to the Lincolnshire base much reminiscent of the days of the Tornado F.3. Not to be outdone, a 3(F) Squadron jet did light the burners for one launch, however from the opposite end of the runway on Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duties.
The 493rd's presence was a most welcome sight in the skies above Coningsby and only further increased the diversity of aircraft to be seen at the home of the Typhoon.
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