Tag Archives: f-15

12 March 2024 (12:43-UTC-07 Tango 06) 22 Esfand 1402/02 Ramadan 1445/03 Ding-Mao 4722/12 март 2024 года

For many years the U.S. National Security Affairs (NSA) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) have used the code phrase Great Power Competition to refer to World War Three. Since 2021, the People’s Republic of China has been considered to be the most likely adversary in the coming Great Power Competition.

“We are moving into a realm of operations that accepts more risk deliberately. It makes sense to condition our aircrew and support agencies into taking on non-standard operations and accepting more risk in a calculated manner.”-Major Gina Dickinson, 366th Operations Support Squadron director of operations

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Alexandria Byrd, 13FEB2024.

Taxiways are normally shorter and narrower than runways, and most taxiways are located near the parking area (apron, flightline, ramp) of other aircraft, making landing on them difficult and dangerous. The 366th Fighter Wing (FW) ‘Gunfighters’ practiced landing on the taxiway on Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, 13FEB2024. This is part of preparations by the United States Air Force (USAF) for the coming war with China, code phrase Great Power Competition.

USAF graphic released on 12FEB2024.

Landing two F-15E Strike Eagle (366th FW ‘Gunfighters’) on the taxiway of Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, 13FEB2024 (however the U.S. Air Force did not release the video until 05MAR2024), during phase one of wargame Garrison Forward:

“Garrison Forward brought together Gunfighters from every group to contribute to a common mission: making the 366th Fighter Wing more agile and survivable in a great power competition. Doing hard tasks during peacetime operations prepares our warfighters for potential future conflict. I’m so proud of the men and women of the 366th Fighter Wing coming together to codify our alternate landing surface operations. We will remain lethal anytime, anywhere, and under any circumstance.”-Colonel David Stamps, 366th Operations Group commander

Great Power Competition, Utah: MOUNTAIN WEST MILITIA’S CODE PHRASE FOR 3RD WORLD WAR!

Oregon:

OREGON GETS NEW WEAPONS, SHOOTS-UP IDAHO? MORE PROOF THE U.S. MILITARY IS OWNED BY FOREIGNERS!

Idaho, International, U.S.

WW3 Shenanigans: New F-15 Eagle forces Qatar to invade Idaho?

Image March 25, 2023 Hutchins AAron

25 March 2023 (12:05-UTC-07 Tango 06) 05 Farvardin 1402/03 Ramadan 1444/04 Yi-Mao(2nd month) 4721/25 марта 2023 года

“The F-15QA aircraft is the most advanced version of the fighter ever built. It brings to its operators next-generation technologies such as fly-by-wire flight controls, digital cockpit, modernized sensors, radar, and electronic warfare capabilities, and the world’s fastest mission computer. Increases in reliability, sustainability and maintainability allow defense operators to affordably remain ahead of current and evolving threats. The F-15QA’s advances will enable it to bolster the U.S. and allied coalition’s ability to project lethal force and protect allied forces and locations.”-Boeing

Essentially, the F-15QA is a Qatari version of the new F-15EX.

Top-brass of Qatar Emiri Air Force meet top-brass of Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, 14MAR2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Krista Reed Choate.

On 14MAR2023, the military leaders of the Qatar Emiri Air Force paid a visit to Mountain Home Air Force Base (AFB), in Southern Idaho. The purpose of the visit was to scout-out a new U.S. based home for a Qatari Air Force unit!

A Qatar Emiri Air Force Major General meets silly-vilian (civilian) officials on Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, 14MAR2023. USAF photo by Airman First Class Krista Reed Choate.

Establishing a Qatari military unit on a U.S. Air Force (USAF) base inside the United States is known as the Qatar Emiri Air Force Bed-down Proposal.

A Qatar Emiri Air Force F-15QA/Falcon-5 flies in formation with a USAF B-52H Stratofortress in the ‘Central Command Area of Responsibility’, 12MAR2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Wright.

This is connected to Qatar’s recent purchase of the new Boeing F-15QA. The F-15QA is a new Eagle built specifically for Qatar. In 2017, Qatar ordered 36 F-15QAs. It is also known as the Falcon-5.

The USAF issued an environmental report claiming that the additional F-15s (Singapore operates F-15SGs from Mountain Home) will have “no significant impact” on the local ecology. However, a final decision on where to ‘beddown’ the new Qatari F-15QA/Falcon-5 unit has not been made.

Roll-out of F-15QA/Falcon-5. USAF photo by Master Sergeant Nancy Falcon, 25AUG2021.

In 2021, Qatar began receiving some of its new F-15QA/Falcon-5 aircraft.

USAF photo by Master Sergeant Nancy Falcon, 25AUG2021.

Air Force Times, May 2021: F-15QA bound for Qatar declares emergency, USAF pilot ejects.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, August 2020: Contract awarded for Falcon 5/F-15 Beddown, State of Qatar. The air base facilities contract award amount was $524-million-416-thousand-9-hundred. This is apparently for the F-15QAs that are being based inside Qatar. The contract was through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, which is subsidized by U.S. taxpayers.

F-15 Eagle 50th Anniversary, 2022: EAGLES HIT 10-THOUSAND HOURS, WAY PAST THEIR ‘PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE’!

Vehicle I-D, 2021: F-15EX HAS ARRIVED! COMMANDER SAYS “IT’S AN EX-CITING DAY!”

World War Three Shenanigans:

United Arab Emirates INVADES LOUISIANA?

NATO-Germany INVADES IDAHO?

Technology

Cold War Vehicle I-D: Vulcan, 70 years later!

Video December 26, 2022 Hutchins AAron

Cold War: Approximately 1947 (due to U.S. President Harry Truman’s Truman Doctrine) to 1991 (Operation Desert Storm, collapse of Soviet Union).

The Avro Vulcan was a Cold war era NATO-United Kingdom nuclear bomber, first flying in 1952 (70 years ago).

Avro Vulcan B.1A, flying over Las Vegas, Nevada, during the World Congress of Flight air show, April 1959. XH502 started service with the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1958, and was scrapped ten years later.

Vulcan B.2 XH535 over Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), California, 10JUL1961. XH535 would crash on 11MAY1964, in the United Kingdom, four of the six crew were killed.

Vulcan B.2 XH535 flies alongside B-52 00006, over Edwards AFB, California, 10JUL1961.

No information accompanied this U.S. Air Force (USAF) photo.

By 1968, the Royal Air Force (RAF) realized the bomber, intended to carry nuclear bombs, was not able to reach targets inside the Soviet Union as a ‘strategic bomber’. In the 1970s it acted as a tactical nuclear bomber. By the 1980s it switched to carrying conventional bombs and missiles.

XM650 taking part in the USAF Strategic Air Command’s Giant Voice ’71, in Florida in December 1971.

Buzzing a cottage near RAF Alconbury. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Jose Lopez Junior, 15JUN1982.

In 1982, the Vulcan was finally used in combat, during the Falkland/Malvinas War (40 years ago).

This Vulcan B.2 is flying over Castle AFB, California, 01JAN1983. According to the USAF, it was scheduled to be donated to a museum.

XL428 on the RAF Mildenhall flight line, 09JUN1984. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Jose Lopez Junior.

Vulcan B.2 XL426, 25MAY1985. XL426 is one of three surviving Vulcan bombers. USAF photo by Sergeant David S. Nolan.

XL426 on RAF Mildenhall, 25MAY1985. USAF photo by Sergeant David S. Nolan.

Vulcan B.2 XH558 retired from military service in 1992, marking the end of the undeclared Cold War. It was operated by a private organization for air shows, until 2015.

Farnborough International Air Show, United Kingdom, 14JUL2012. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Lee Osberry.

U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Chrissy Powers/Best, 18JUL2015.

Avro Vulcan XH558 preforms for crowds at the Royal International Air Tattoo over RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, 19JUL2015. This Vulcan retired from air show duty in October 2015. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Chrissy Powers/Best.

Avro Vulcan XH558 flies toward Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, 27AUG2015. USAF photo by Senior Airman Trevor T. McBride.

XH558 was the final B.2 Vulcan to be delivered to the Royal Air Force and the last complete flying Vulcan in the world. USAF photo by Senior Airman Trevor T. McBride, 27AUG2015.

XH558 was escorted by two USAF F-15C Eagles. USAF photo by Senior Airman Trevor T. McBride, 27AUG2015.

U.S. Air Force video report on how the F-15C Eagles used the Vulcan to conduct interception training:

USAF photo by Senior Airman Trevor T. McBride, 27AUG2015.

F-15 Eagle 50th Anniversary, 2022: EAGLES HIT 10-THOUSAND HOURS, WAY PAST THEIR ‘PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE’!

Technology

F-15 50th Anniversary: Eagles hit 10-thousand Hours, way past their ‘planned obsolescence’!

Video December 6, 2022 Hutchins AAron

06 December 2022 (11:54-UTC-07 Tango 06) 15 Azar 1401/12 Jumada l-Ula 1444/13 Ren-Zi 4720/06 Декабрь 2022 года

According to the U.S. Air Force, the F-15 Eagle was designed to last for 4-thousand flight hours, but several F-15 types have made it all the way to 10-thousand flight hours, and some are still flying today (despite the current mass-retirements underway)!

California Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sergeant Christian Jadot, 05NOV2022.

On 05NOV2022, Airmen with the 144th Fighter Wing signed the tail feather of the 10-thousand hours F-15C ‘Heritage Jet’, on Fresno Air National Guard Base, California.

California Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedes Taylor, 21OCT2022.

A California Air National Guard (144th FW-194th FS) F-15C Eagle got a special paint-job after reaching 10-thousand flying hours. It then added more hours by taking a test flight with its new clothes, on 21OCT2022.

California Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedes Taylor, 21OCT2022.

Massachusetts Air National Guard F-15C Eagle #125, still flying in June 2022, after hitting 10,000 flying hours in May 2021. Massachusetts Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Hanna Smith, 16JUN2022.

Tail #85-125 is still flying today, after joining the 10-thousand hours club in 2021. See the video below.

Massachusetts Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Lindsey S. Watson, 11MAY2021.

Massachusetts Air National Guard video, by Master Sergeant Lindsey S. Watson, F-15C #85-125 hits 10-thousand flight hours on 11MAY2021:

F-15C #85-125 hits 10,000 flight hours. Barnes Air National Guard Base. Massachusetts Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Lindsey S. Watson, 11MAY2021.

Massachusetts Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Lindsey S. Watson, 11MAY2021.

USAF photo by Airman First Class Shawna L. Keyes, 18SEP2018.

On 18SEP2018, F-15E Strike Eagle tail #472 hit 10-thousand flying hours. It is the first F-15E assigned to a training unit on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, to hit the mile-stone.

USAF photo by Airman First Class Shawna L. Keyes, 18SEP2018.

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Siuta B. Ika, 25JAN2017.

On 25JAN2017, F-15C Eagle #83-3014 reached 10-thousand flight hours during a sortie at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada: “To get to 10,000 flight hours means probably a couple hundred thousand maintenance hours have been put in. So for over 30 years, day-in and day-out, maintainers have done everything asked of them and more to get the aircraft to this point. Normally, 10,000 flight hours is only seen within combat-coded units. Everybody in Eagle AMU has touched this aircraft, so if it wasn’t for their work, and the work of M1 Support Services, this jet would never have reached 10,000 hours.”-Master Sergeant Joseph Romero, Eagle Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU) lead production superintendent

USAF photo by Airman First Class Lynette M. Rolen, 29JUL2016.

On 29JUL2016, an F-15C Eagle, on Kadena Air Base, Japan, joined the 10-thousand hours club: “It shows the F-15 is long-in-the-tooth, but still meets the combat capability required. We have jets here with multiple combat kills; they’ve been through more than four wars and operations: Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Operation Northern Watch, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Allied Force; and all those jets are sitting out on the ramp.“-Captain Brian Anderson, 67th Fighter Squadron pilot

USAF photo by Airman First Class Ericka Engblom, 13JAN2012.

While on Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, F-15E Strike Eagle #89-0487 (487) hit 10-thousand flying hours. On 13JAN2012, it was painted with both markings for ‘kills’ (made during the 1991 Operation Desert Storm) and the 10-thousand hours achievement.

USAF photo by Airman First Class Ericka Engblom, 13JAN2012.

Despite it being younger than the F-15A and C versions, F-15E #487 was the first F-15 of any version to hit 10-thousand flying hours! 487 was ‘born’ in November 1990, fought in Desert Storm in 1991, then the ‘War on Terror’ where it achieved 10-thousand flight hours over Afghanistan: “It has taken more than 21 years of qualified maintenance technicians performing more than one million hours of inspections and repairs in all types of environments at home station, depot facilities, TDY [Temporary DutY] and AEF [Air Expeditionary Force] locations to ensure aircraft No. 89-0487 was available to deploy on numerous TDYs and AEFs. It also took careful, timely loading and maintenance by hundreds of weapons technicians in conjunction with countless hours of repairs and inspections performed by avionics, electrical and environmental, engine, fuels, egress and structural airmen.”-Chief Master Sergeant John Parrott, 335th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit

“When we got here, it was at 8,800 hours. We put 1,200 hours on it in the past three months. During that time, this aircraft dropped 15 percent of all bombs deployed in our fleet. To keep it flying at that pace, it was very important to keep the same crew on it to get to know the aircraft.”-Staff Sergeant Ryan Forsse, 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Crew Chief assigned to #487

USAF photo by Airman First Class Ericka Engblom, 13JAN2012.

In August 2009, F-15E Strike Eagles with 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron surpassed 8-thousand combat hours, while flying out of Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan: “Everything went smooth. We try to give them a jet they don’t have to worry about; they need to focus on the mission and save the lives of our people on the ground.”-Senior Airman John Yates, F-15E Crew Chief

F-15 Eagle 50th Anniversary: THE A-SAT, WITH SOME VISUAL TIPS FOR THE KIT BUILDER

Cold War to Ukraine Crisis: F-15 EAGLE NOW 50 YEARS OLD

Kit Bashing, Technology

F-15 50th Anniversary: The A-Sat, with some visual tips for the kit builder

Video November 5, 2022 Hutchins AAron

ASat=Anti Satellite

Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV) ASM (Anti Satellite Missile)-135A: Two solid-rocket stages (first stage made by Boeing), third rocket stage with telescopic heat seeker known as the Miniature Homing Vehicle, speed of 15-thousand miles per hour.

McDonnell-Douglas F-15A Eagle: F-15 EAGLE NOW 50 YEARS OLD, a quick visual history

Boeing promotional photo dated August 1982. Note, the F-15A in the background is not the F-15A used in the ‘Capture Carry’ part of the ASat testing program.

First ‘capture carry’ flights of F-15A Eagle #76-0086 armed with ASat were in December 1982.

F-15A Eagle armed with the ASM-135A, 21DEC1982. U.S. Air Force photo by H.L. Wilson.

Over Edwards Air Force Base, California, 21DEC1982. U.S. Air Force photo by Al Chang.

Over Edwards AFB, California. Boeing photo released in January 1983.

Model kit builders take note, the ‘fin flash’ on 76-0086 is changed sometime between 1983 and 1985.

ASat equipped Eagle over Vandenberg AFB, California, 03APR1985.
USAF photo by Paul E. Reynolds.

The actual launch of the ASM-135A was done in September 1985, by F-15A #76-0084 first seen in the photo from August 1982. Model kit builders note that back in August 1982, 76-0084 did not have the fin flash.

F-15 launches an ASat, somewhere off California’s Pacific Coast. USAF photo by Paul E. Reynolds, 13SEP1985.

In September 1985, a Solwind P78-1 satellite was destroyed by the ASM-135A ASat, launched by F-15A Eagle 76-0084.

Major Wilbert ‘Doug’ Pearson successfully launched the ASM-135A. USAF photo by Paul E. Reynolds, 13SEP1985.

The successful ASat program was canceled in 1988, due to U.S. public concern over the possibility of war in space. However, that concern seems to have disappeared as the U.S. now has a dedicate military Space Force, co-chaired by the British empire.

Father gives his son some pointers about flying ‘his’ Celestial Eagle. USAF photo by Senior Airman Erik Hofmeyer, 13SEP2007.

In September 2007, an anniversary flight of 76-0084 was arranged, with Major General (retired) Doug Pearson’s son, Captain Todd Pearson (and for those of use in Idaho, this is the Idaho connection), at the controls. It was then that 76-0084 was dubbed ‘Celestial Eagle’. Model builders note that it was not named Celestial Eagle at the time of the launch.

USAF photo by Senior Airman Erik Hofmeyer, 13SEP2007.

08MAR2015, USAF Space Systems Command releases this video about the only launch of ASM-135A:

Computer generated scenario of resulting debris field created by an ASat strike. As you will see by the date code on the video, it was made in 2014, yet the U.S. Air Force didn’t publicly release the video until November 2021:

F-15 50th Anniversary: LAST HURRAH FOR OREGON’S 173RD FW?

SANDMAN’S SWAN SONG?

EAGLE GETS CANNIBALIZED, LEFTOVERS SENT TO THE BONEYARD, NO MORE OREGON EAGLES?

DESERT STORM FIRST BLOOD FOR USAF F-15s, THE NEVER ENDING TAR BABY CALLED IRAQ!

F-15A POLE DANCER, OR WHATEVER HAPPENED TO 72-0113?

Terminator, October 2022: SPACE FORCE JOINS N-A-S-C-A-R!

Technology, U.S.

F-15 50th Anniversary: Last Hurrah for Oregon’s 173rd FW?

Video October 6, 2022 Hutchins AAron

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar.

Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing (FW) trained with U.S. Marines, on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, in California. But this year might be the last time.

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar, 14AUG2022.

In August 2022, Oregon’s F-15C Eagles (along with 125th FW F-15s out of Florida) played ‘bad guy’ against USMC F/A-18C/D Hornets from Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101), and the F-35B Lightning-2 from Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 502 (VMFAT-502).

Oregon Air National Guard video report by Staff Sergeant Emily Copeland:

Oregon Air National Guard video interview by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar, 23AUG2022:

Recently, it was revealed that the 173rd has been ordered to get rid of its F-15C Eagles. That means this year’s deployment to Miramar might be the last, at least with their F-15C Eagles.

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar, 14AUG2022.

For almost 40 years the 173rd FW’s Kingsley Field served as the only F-15C training base for the U.S. Air Force! But starting in 2024, the 173rd will be using the brand new F-15EX Eagle-2.

Oregon Air National Guard music video, by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar, point of view of an F-15C Crew Chief:

F-15 50th Anniversary: SANDMAN’S SWAN SONG?

Technology, U.S.

F-15 50th Anniversary: Sandman’s Swan Song?

Video October 5, 2022 Hutchins AAron

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar, 01MAR2022.

On 01MAR2022, an F-15C Eagle named Sandman took part in a training session with the Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing.

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar, 01MAR2022.

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Jacob T. Stephens, 25JUN2022.

Excerpt from 173rd Fighter Wing’s March 2022 video report, by Major Nikkie Jackson, explaining how Oregon’s F-15 Eagles are a key part of U.S. airspace defense, and revealing that Oregon will be home for the new “Eagle-2” (aka F-15EX):

Sandman flies over Crater Lake, Oregon, along with a restored B-17 Flying Fortress from World War 2. Oregon Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Penny Snoozy, 24JUN2022.

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Penny Snoozy, 24JUN2022.

Then after a five years hiatus, on 24-25JUN2022, Oregon Air National Guard held its Sentry Eagle Open House and Airshow, over Kingsley Field. Of course, Oregon’s F-15C Eagles were the main attraction, especially the one named Sandman.

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Jacob T. Stephens, 25JUN2022.

Then, in September 2022, it was officially revealed that Oregon’s Air National Guard was retiring all of its F-15C Eagles!

Quick excerpt from 173rd Fighter Wing video report, by Staff Sergeant Emily Copeland, even though it is dated 09SEP2022, and boasts of how great the F-15C is, it does not mention the 2022-23 retirement of those aircraft:

There will still be Eagles in the air over Oregon, the F-15Cs are being replaced with new build F-15EXs (aka Eagle-2), hopefully starting in 2024.

F-15 50th Anniversary: EAGLE GETS CANNIBALIZED, LEFTOVERS SENT TO THE BONEYARD, NO MORE OREGON EAGLES?

Technology

F-15 50th Anniversary: Eagle gets cannibalized, leftovers sent to the Boneyard, no more Oregon Eagles?

Image October 4, 2022 Hutchins AAron

“It died; I say died because that’s how it feels.”-Master Sergeant Charles Fleek, Oregon Air National Guard, talking about tail number 78-0511, one of the lucky F-15Cs that actually flew under its own power to The Boneyard, in April 2022

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar, 01APR2022.

Just a few months before the 50th Anniversary of the first flight what is probably the best combat aircraft ever employed by the U.S. Air Force, the state of Oregon decided to cannibalize one of its F-15Cs.

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar, 01APR2022.

It is no April Fool’s Joke, after stripping the F-15C of usable parts, on 01APR2022, personnel with Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing loaded the worn out Eagle onto a flatbed trailer, to be hauled-off to the ‘Boneyard’ of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, in Arizona.

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar, 01APR2022.

On 13SEP2022, the Oregon Air National Guard revealed that, after 24 years of service, all its F-15C Eagles were on the chopping block! Not all of them; on 11SEP2022, eight Oregon Eagles were transferred to the Israeli air force, under the guise of Foreign Military Sales (which are usually taxpayer subsidized).

173rd Fighter Wing at Kingsley Field, Klamath Falls, Oregon. Oregon Air National Guard photo via Master Sergeant Jefferson Thompson, 19JUN2018.

In July 2022, tail number 78-0515 was sent to work for NASA (National Aeronautics Space Administration). It is hoped that most of the Eagles will end up with the National Museum of the United States Air Force, for public displays, however, the reality is most will end up in the Boneyard.

David R. Kingsley Memorial, an F-15A is displayed by the 173rd Fighter Wing at Kingsley Field. Oregon Air National Guard photo Master Sergeant Jefferson Thompson, 13APR2018.

Oregon’s 173rd FW has operated the A, B, C and D version of the undefeated-in-combat Eagle. But wait, it’s not over for Oregon Eagles after all; the retiring F-15Cs are being replaced with the new build F-15EX.

Oregon Eagles:

PANDEMIC OVERFLIGHT, THE SANDMAN ENTERS

NEW TAIL FEATHERS FOR OREGON EAGLE, B-17 BOMBER STYLE! PLUS, MINI-EAGLE, KAWAII!

Oregon deploys to Finland

F-15 50th Anniversary: DESERT STORM FIRST BLOOD FOR USAF, THE NEVER ENDING TAR BABY CALLED IRAQ!

Idaho, International, Technology, U.S.

F-15 50th Anniversary: Desert Storm First Blood for USAF, the never ending Tar Baby called Iraq!

Video October 2, 2022 Hutchins AAron

The first combat use of the F-15 Eagle was by Israel in 1979, followed by Saudi Arabia in 1984. First combat use of the F-15 by the U.S. Air Force was during Operation Desert Storm, in 1991.

Five months before Desert Storm, the build-up was called Desert Shield. These F-15C Eagles are patrolling the sky over Saudi Arabian oil operations. U.S. Air Force/33rd Tactical Fighter Wing photo.

Desert Shield: 02AUG1990 to 16JAN1991

Somewhere in Saudi Arabia, a 1st Tactical Fighter Wing (out of Virginia) F-15D Eagle waits for a mission during Desert Storm, 23JAN1991. Notice the Patriot missile batteries in the background.

F-15E Strike Eagles waiting for another mission during the last weeks of Desert Storm, 01FEB1991. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Robert Jackson.

A Kuwaiti A-4KU Skyhawk and a USAF 1st Tactical Fighter Wing F-15C Eagle about to take off from an airfield in Saudi Arabia, during the last weeks of Desert Storm, 02FEB1991.

Desert Storm: 17JAN1991 to 28FEB1991

Notice the kill marking on this 58th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-15C. The USAF info says this photo was made during Desert Storm, yet the official date of the photo is December 1991! Photo by Technical Sergeant Fernando Serna.

An F-15C Eagle over the desert during the cease-fire between coalition and Iraqi forces, March 1991. USAF photo.

The USAF info that came with this photo is highly dubious. 1st, it states the photo was made in May 1992, more than a year after Desert Storm, yet claims this F-15C is being prepped for a mission during Desert Storm. 2nd, as you will see in the photo below, this Gulf Spirit does not have the kill markings that were applied after Desert Storm. Possibly this photo was made during Desert Storm, but not released until May 1992? Photo by Senior Airman Chris Putnam.

Kill markings on a F-15C Eagle named Gulf Spirit. The Gulf Spirit had just returned to the U.S. from Desert Storm, May 1991. USAF photo by Don S. Montgomery.

USAF photo by Don S. Montgomery.

After Desert Storm, France, the United States, and United Kingdom, imposed a ‘no fly zone’ over Iraq. This Operation Southern Watch would last more than a decade, and help the U.S./NATO invade Iraq in 2003. Even though the invasion was rationalized by the claim of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), which would later be proven false, the invasion of Iraq was dubbed Operation Iraqi Freedom (a major clue that it was not about WMDs). This was followed by Operation Inherent Resolve in 2014, supposedly to fight religious extremism that had taken over Iraq as a result of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Even though Operation Inherent Resolve was declared a success in Iraq, in 2019, U.S./NATO forces continue to operate in Iraq. This means the taxpayers of U.S./NATO have been funding direct military involvement in Iraqi affairs for more than three decades, and the result the leaders of the so called free world promised has yet to materialize.

For many decades after Desert Storm was declared finished, Eagles would continue to patrol over, and even bomb, Iraq. The relatively new F-15E Strike Eagle somewhere in Saudi Arabia, 20MAY1992. USAF photo.

Southern Watch: 27AUG1992 to 19MAR2003

An F-15C Eagle, normally based in NATO Germany, takes off from Incirlik Air Base in NATO Turkey, for a no-fly-zone mission over Northern Iraq, under the guise of protecting Kurds. USAF photo by Senior Airman Gudrun Cook, May 1995.

Two F-15C Eagles patrol the no fly zone over Southern Iraq, in support of Operation Southern Watch, 14JAN2002. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Jack Braden.

Iraqi Freedom: 20MAR2003 to 15DEC2011

A Washington based KC-135 refuels an Idaho based ‘Bold Tiger’ F-15E for its deployment to Iraq during the first months of Operation Iraqi Freedom, 29DEC2003. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Suzanne M. Jenkins.

A ‘Bold Tiger’ F-15E Strike Eagle (from Mountain Home, Idaho) was one of many Eagles deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Suzanne M. Jenkins, 29DEC2003.

Inherent Resolve: 15JUN2014 to present day

On 23SEP2014, F-15E Strike Eagles used Iraqi airspace to conduct a dawn airstrike on Syria. USAF photo by Senior Airman Matthew Bruch.

USAF video report by Senior Airman Daniel Asselta, explaining the rational behind deploying F-15s to NATO Turkey to bomb Iraq and Syria, November 2015:

Video by Staff Sergeant Michelle Di Ciolli, of fully armed Idaho based ‘Bold Tiger’ F-15Es, getting refueled over Iraq during Operation Inherent Resolve, 17MAR2016:

An F-15E Strike Eagle somewhere over Iraq 06SEP2017. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Trevor T. McBride.

Night vision video, by Senior Airman Nathaniel Stout, of KC-10 Extender refueling F-15E Strike Eagles over Iraq, December 2017:

An F-15E Strike Eagle gets refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker, somewhere over Iraq, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, 05OCT2018. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Keith James.

On Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, a USAF F-15E gets ‘bombed-up’ with GBU-31 bombs, for an air strike on the Salah ad Din Province of Iraq, 10SEP2019. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Chris Thornbury.

Yet again, another F-15E Strike Eagle gets refueled over Iraq, and even The Pandemic has no affect on military operations. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Taylor Harrison, 09FEB2021.

Desert Storm: