Like its predecessor, the General Dynamics F-111F, during its time at RAF Lakenheath the F-15E has been involved in numerous US and NATO Operations. The mighty and hugely impressive ‘Aardvark’ was a familiar sight in Suffolk and beyond for many years, with the first F-111 arriving in 1977 and the last departing in December 1992. While they would be missed by the enthusiast community, we have now all become more than used to the presence of F-15 Eagles instead.
In 1986, F-111s from the 48th TFW participated in Operation El Dorado Canyon, which saw the USA launch a strike on Libya in response to a terrorist attack on the La Belle discothèque in West Berlin, a venue that was commonly frequented by US servicemen and women. The bomb killed three people and injured around 230, including 79 American personnel. In a strange twist of fate, RAF Lakenheath’s most recent combat experience was Operation Odyssey Dawn / Operation Unified Protector, which also took place over the skies of Libya, in 2011.
Although the US combat operations with strike aircraft only lasted a few days last year, unfortunately one of Lakenheath’s F-15Es was lost during this time although the crew ejected safely and were rescued by helicopter.
The 48th FW, or 48th TFW (Tactical Fighter Wing) as it was then known, originally arrived at RAF Lakenheath in January 1960 with F-100 Super Sabres, and Odyssey Dawn was just the latest chapter in a long history of operational work for the UK based Wing and for its F-15 fleet specifically. The list encompassing ops carried out during its 20 years in Suffolk is a long one:
Operation Provide Comfort (Iraq: 1993) Operation Deny Flight/ Decisive Endeavour/ Deliberate Guard (Balkans: 1993-1995) Operation Northern Watch (Iraq: 1997) Operation Allied Force (Kosovo: 1999) Operation Southern Watch (Iraq 2000) Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan: 2001- present) Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq: 2003 -2011) Operation Odyssey Dawn/Unified Protector (Libya: 2011)
These days the 48th Fighter Wing comprises three combat ready fighter squadrons. The 492nd and 494th are F-15E Strike Eagle squadrons while the 493rd operates the F-15C/D Eagle. The 495th was an additional F-111 unit but functioned as a replacement training unit and was therefore deactivated in 1991 to coincide with the F-111’s departure from the base. Today, the 48th FW is also home to the 56th Rescue Squadron flying the HH-60G combat search and rescue helicopter, all of which makes the 48th FW the largest composite wing in USAFE (United States Air Forces Europe).
The F-15E Strike Eagle is the multirole version of what will surely go down as one of the greatest fighters of its generation, if not all time. Its ability to strike deep in to enemy territory, utilise a wide range of ordinance and then fight its way back home again makes the F-15E one of the USAF’s most capable combat systems and it is incredible to think that it entered service as long ago as 1988.
The 493rd’s F-15Cs and Ds, with the D being the two-seat training variant, are pure fighters. The F-15's air-to-air combat record stands at an unblemished 100+ kills to no losses and it remains an extremely potent air superiority tool, despite entering service itself, as the F-15A / F-15B, way back in 1976.
On 10th February 2012, clear blue skies and several centimetres of snow welcomed the media to RAF Lakenheath to mark the 20th anniversary of the first F-15 Eagle to arrive in Suffolk. Whilst the weather was cold we nevertheless received an extremely warm welcome from Lt Horn and her team from the 48th FW Public Affairs department.
Into Hangar 8, and out of the biting wind, those present were given the opportunity to chat to the incoming commander of the 492nd Fighter Squadron, Lt Col John Orchard, and the 48th Operations Support Squadron's Deployment Manager, MSgt Robert Griffith, one of Lakenheath’s most experienced and longest serving airmen.
Whilst giving a short speech, Lt Col Orchard said, “There is never a dull moment flying the F-15 and going supersonic is, surprisingly, not that exciting! It’s just a blip on your displays. What is exciting is when you pull 'g's and your body can weigh up to nine times what it weighs as we stand here today."
The opportunity to take photographs as two F-15Es from the 494th FS launched was provided and, in true style, they performed an unrestricted take-off, although sadly the going vertical part was left until they were well outside the range of even the longest lens!
With Lt Col Orchard ready to take over, the 492nd Fighter Squadron also said goodbye to Lt Col Clinton A Mixon and, after his final flight in the back seat of F-15E 91-0332, he received the traditional welcome home, being greeted by colleagues, family and the fire department!
This celebratory flight had departed Lakenheath whilst we had been in Hangar 8 with the new Boss and they arrived back with a nice run and break followed by an overshoot.
The plan had been for the aircraft to taxi through an arc of water produced by the fire department, however, with temperatures well below freezing, the water arc was not sent over the aircraft, but the outgoing Boss was suitably soaked with fire extinguishers and champagne. Probably a sensible decision!
It was possible to capture a few more Eagles landing as well as on the flight line during our all too brief visit but it was one which marked the anniversary very nicely. Despite the passing of two decades, and of course the ongoing US DoD defence cuts, it seems RAF Lakenheath could be home to the Eagles for many more years to come and there is little doubt that the Liberty Wing will continue to play an important role supporting USAFE, US European Command and NATO.
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