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U.S. Air Force News

  • F-15 Strike Eagles take over close-air-support mission at Bagram

    The F-15 Strike Eagle recently swapped out with the A-10 Thunderbolt II to assume responsibility of the close-air-support mission here. The F-15s are assigned to the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and are deployed from the 391st Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.

  • F-15 test force celebrates 10 years of Eagle improvements

    On Oct. 12, the F-15 Operational Flight Program Combined Test Force celebrates its 10-year anniversary.The members of the unit, many of whom were there at the inception, recalled the major accomplishments and changes they've seen after 10 years.The OTP CTF is a unit composed of active/reserve

  • F-15 tests alternative jet engine fuel

    An aviation first was accomplished when an F-15E Strike Eagle flew here Aug. 19 using an alternative fuel. Engineers from the 830th Aircraft Sustainment Group, maintainers with the 561st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and pilots from the 339th Flight Test Squadron joined with the Air Force

  • F-15C crashes over Shenandoah Valley

    At approximately 9:05 a.m. today the 104th Fighter Wing lost radio contact with an F-15C aircraft during a cross country mission over the Shenandoah Valley Virginia.

  • F-15C Eagle Weapons School ends at Nellis AFB

    The years of tradition came to an end Dec. 8, as the last cadre of students and instructors flew the final defensive counter air vulnerability for Weapons Instructor Course 21-B.

  • F-15C Eagle Weapons School sunsets at Nellis

    The single-seat F-15C aircraft entered the U.S. Air Force inventory in 1979, and weapons officers have been trained on the aircraft’s tactics at the Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base since 1978. Those years of tradition came to an end Dec. 8, as the last cadre of students and instructors flew

  • F-15C simulators provide low-cost, critical training

    Projecting unrivaled combat airpower is expensive, which is why one Tyndall Air Force Base unit invested in smarter operations for lower training costs. This unit can launch a jet, fly an unlimited amount of hours and fight thousands of enemies all from a single room.

  • F-15E crashes in eastern Afghanistan

    An F-15E Strike Eagle conducting coalition operations in eastern Afghanistan crashed at approximately 3:15 A.M. Kabul time. The crash was not due to hostile fire. Two crew members were on board. Their condition is unknown at this time.A board of officers will investigate the incident.Additional

  • F-15E crashes in Southwest Asia

    An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle crashed May 3 at 11:40 a.m. local time while conducting a routine training mission. Both crew members ejected safely. First responders have responded to the scene and more details will be released as they become available.Strike Eagles are dual-role fighters that

  • F-15E crashes, aircrew ejects safely

    An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle crashed at approximately 4:50 p.m. June 4 near Newton Grove, N.C., about 35 miles southeast of Raleigh.The pilot and weapons system officer parachuted to safety and are reportedly in good condition. They are assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing here.A board of officers

  • F-15E crew ‘walks away’ from crash

    Two 4th Fighter Wing aircrew members walked away uninjured from an F-15E Strike Eagle crash May 6 near Roanoke, Va.Base officials identified the pilot as Capt. Darren Wees and the weapon systems officer as Capt. Daniel Spier. Both Airmen ejected safely.The cause of the accident will be

  • F-15E crew buried in Arlington

    Two F-15E Strike Eagle crewmembers killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom were buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full honors Aug. 29.Capt. Eric B. Das, aircraft commander, and Lt. Col. William R. Watkins III, weapon systems officer, were killed April 7 when their aircraft went down

  • F-15E crew perishes in Afghanistan crash

    Two Air Force officers were killed July 18 in the crash of an F-15E Strike Eagle. The aircraft, assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., was flying in support of coalition operations in eastern Afghanistan. The crash occurred at approximately 3:15 A.M. Kabul time. "Our thoughts and prayers

  • F-15E crew uses new targeting pod

    An F-15E Strike Eagle aircrew from the 494th Fighter Squadron took part in a flight that marked an evolution in weapons technology when it used a Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod on the aircraft Jan. 7.An F-15E weapons system officer can now independently launch satellite-guided weapons on targets.

  • F-15E crews awarded Mackay Trophy

    Four Airmen were presented the Mackay Trophy by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and National Aeronautic Association Chairman Walter Boyne during a ceremony Nov. 7 here.Retired Lt. Col. Donald Cornwell, Lt. Col. Dylan Wells, Capt. Leigh Larkin and Capt. Nicholas Tsougas flew a combat

  • F-15E flies with new radar system

    Officials took a step forward in the F-15E Strike Eagle's continuous technological evolution as the Air Force's most versatile combat aircraft here Jan. 18.Officials from the 46th Test Wing launched the fourth generation fighter for the first time with a new and improved radar system, the

  • F-15E pilot receives American Fighter Aces award

    An F-15E Strike Eagle pilot from the 4th Fighter Wing here received the American Fighter Aces Association's Francis S. Gabreski Award June 27 at an awards ceremony in Austin, Texas. Capt. Shannon Lippert, currently a member of the 336th Fighter Squadron, competed against pilots of all aircraft types

  • F-15E pilot selected to receive Jabara Award

    An F-15E Strike Eagle pilot and 2004 graduate of the Air Force Academy was selected Jan. 25 to receive the 2011 Col. James Jabara Award for Airmanship.Capt. Michael Polidor, a member of Air Force Global Strike Command, distinguished himself through heroic actions in an Operation Enduring Freedom

  • F-15E pilots protect ground forces in massive firefight

    Ten Soldiers who earned Silver Stars and an Airman who will receive an Air Force Cross March 10 might not be alive today if it were not for Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Airmen providing crucial close-air support during an assault on an insurgent stronghold in Afghanistan's Shok Valley last year. A

  • F-15E reaches flying-hour milestone

    In the early hours of the day, the aircraft parking ramp here was alive with activity. Checklists were run, hatches checked, bombs loaded and missions briefed, as the crew chiefs, support units, and flyers of F-15E Strike Eagle #89-0487 achieved a milestone 10,000 flying hours Jan. 13. F-15E Strike

  • F-15E takes first flight with new radar system

    The first 389th Fighter Squadron F-15E Strike Eagle received a Radar Modernization Program upgrade at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho in June. The new radar system is designed to retain functionality of the old legacy radar system while providing expanded mission employment capabilities.

  • F-15Es arrive at Inclirlik Air Base

    Six F-15E Strike Eagles arrived at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Nov. 12 in a demonstration of the United States' unwavering support to peace and stability in the region.

  • F-15Es take part in weapons evaluations, enhance readiness

    In this iteration of DCA NucWSEP, aircrew and maintenance professionals flew and loaded B61-3 and B61-4 Joint Test Assemblies, known as JTAs, on F-15Es provided by the 391st Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.

  • F-15EX completes first flight

    The first F-15EX completed its initial flight in St. Louis Feb. 2. The fighter jet took off and landed from St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Missouri.

  • F-15EX Eagle II unveiled as newest fighter

    Lt. Gen. Duke Richardson, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics military deputy, presented the F-15EX Eagle II during an unveiling and naming ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base, April 7.

  • F-15EX take to the Alaska skies for testing

    Just weeks after delivery to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, the F-15EX – both 001 and 002 – have taken to the Alaska skies for exercise Northern Edge 21, May 3-14.

  • F-15s complete Hungarian deployment

    Four F-15 Eagle fighter aircraft and support personnel, assigned to the 123rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, completed a forward deployment to Kecskemet, Hungary, from Campia Turzii, Romania, Sept. 15.

  • F-15s kept 'eye on the sky' during Super Bowl

    In the days leading up to Super Bowl XLI, Airmen from the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Fighter Wing at Jacksonville were ready to switch on engine power to their fighter aircraft in an instant.While thousands of fans streamed into Miami, the wing's F-15 Eagles stepped up patrols, flying

  • F-15s undergo extensive technical inspections

    Air Force maintainers continue to perform methodical and time-intensive inspections on all F-15 Eagle A, B, C and D model aircraft which are revealing more cracks in the aircraft longerons. The discovery of more structural damage in the F-15s prompted the Dec. 3 stand-down order from Air Combat

  • F-15s, MiGs are allies in the sky

    Multinational pilots from the United States and Malaysia have joined forces in the Pacific skies for Cope Taufan ‘06, a three-week air-to-air training exercise designed to sharpen air combat tactic skills and promote closer relations between allies. Cope Taufan, Taufan meaning “big storm” in

  • F-16 accident investigation complete

    Air Force officials have completed their investigation of the April 11 F-16 Fighting Falcon accident near Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., which resulted in the loss of the 56th Fighter Wing aircraft. The accident investigation board determined the cause of this mishap to be an engine explosion. The

  • F-16 accident investigation complete

    Air Force officials announced the results of an F-16D Fighting Falcon accident investigation today. The investigation into the June 26, F-16 mishap at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., determined the mishap was due to the pilot’s decision-making error after the aircraft suffered low-altitude bird strikes

  • F-16 accident investigation complete

    Air Force officials here completed its investigation June 20 of the April 2 F-16 Fighting Falcon accident at Gila Bend Auxiliary Airfield, Ariz., and the accident investigation board determined the cause of this mishap to be pilot error.The accident resulted in substantial damage to an aircraft when

  • F-16 accident report released

    A catastrophic engine failure caused an F-16D Fighting Falcon to crash in a marsh adjacent to the Ashley River near Charleston, S.C., on April 18, according to an Air Force report released Aug. 23.The pilot and the passenger ejected from the aircraft and sustained minor injuries. The $23-million

  • F-16 accident report released

    Air Force officials recently completed an investigation of the F-16C Fighting Falcon accident 20 miles northwest of Baghdad Nov. 27, which resulted in the death of the pilot, Maj. Troy Gilbert. The official cause of the accident was Major Gilbert's "channelized attention manifested by his desire to

  • F-16 airstrike kills 3 terrorist leaders

    An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon dropped precision munitions near Al Nussayyib, Iraq, Sept. 25 killing Abu Nasr al-Tunisi and two other al-Qaida Iraq operatives, according to Air Force officials. They were killed when the aircraft, assigned to U.S. Central Command Air Forces, dropped two

  • F-16 assists in search, recovery of helicopter crew

    A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon provided close air support to ground troops fighting to recover two slain helicopter crewmen in the vicinity of Baquba, Iraq, recently, officials said.The ground troops had to battle terrorist insurgents while performing search-and-recovery operations. The F-16

  • F-16 crash investigation begins

    The interim safety investigation board convened by U.S. Central Command Air Forces has begun its efforts to gather evidence to determine what caused an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon to crash approximately 20 miles northwest of Baghdad at about 1:35 p.m. Nov. 27.The single-seat jet was in direct

  • F-16 crashes at Nellis

    An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed short of the runway here at about 8:30 a.m. on March 18. The pilot ejected safely and was taken to the base hospital for evaluation, officials said.The aircraft was assigned to the U.S. Air Force Weapons School’s 16th Weapons Squadron. A board of officers

  • F-16 crashes at Utah Test and Training Range

    An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 388th Fighter Wing, crashed at the Utah Test and Training Range at approximately 8:35 a.m. May 4.At the time of the accident, there was one person on board. The pilot successfully ejected and is being evaluated by medical personnel.Emergency

  • F-16 crashes in Arizona

    An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon jet assigned here crashed about 5:15 p.m. June 10 on the Barry M. Goldwater Range approximately 15 miles south of Gila Bend.Capt. David O’Malley, an instructor pilot with the 310th Fighter Squadron, safely ejected from the aircraft while on an air-to-ground training

  • F-16 crashes in Bavaria

    A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 480th Fighter Squadron from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, crashed Aug. 11 at approximately 9:38 a.m. near Engelmannreuth in the county of Bayreuth, Germany.

  • F-16 crashes in Florida Straits

    An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the Air Force Reserve Command's 482nd Fighter Wing here crashed about 11:05 a.m. today approximately 75 miles south-southeast of Homestead in the Florida Straits. The aircraft was from the 93rd Fighter Squadron. At the time of the accident, it was flying a routine

  • F-16 crashes in Gulf of Mexico

    An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed at about 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 in the Gulf of Mexico near Key West, Fla. The pilot was picked up by a Navy helicopter crew and flown to a local hospital, where a physician examined him.He was released from the hospital. The pilot was flying a training mission at

  • F-16 crashes in South Korea

    An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed here May 29 while taking off on a training mission. The pilot ejected safely and was treated at the base hospital. One Korean was injured on the ground. She is an Army and Air Force Exchange employee here.Yi, Chun Mu, 58, was driving home when debris from

  • F-16 crashes into Korean West Sea

    An Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon from the 35th Fighter Squadron here crashed into the West Sea during a training mission at about 9:30 a.m. today. The aircraft's pilot ejected safely and was rescued by a South Korean air force helicopter at about 10:25 a.m. The pilot was transported to the Kunsan

  • F-16 crashes near Joint Base Andrews

    A D.C. Air National Guard F-16C Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 113th Wing at Joint Base Andrews, crashed at about 9:15 a.m. today approximately six miles southwest of the base. The aircraft was flying along with other D.C. ANG aircraft in a routine training mission in the greater Washington area.

  • F-16 crashes northwest of Baghdad

    A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon engaged in support of coalition ground combat operations crashed approximately 20 miles northwest of Baghdad Nov. 27 at about 1:35 p.m. Baghdad time with one pilot on board. A board will be convened to investigate the incident.

  • F-16 crashes over Iraq, pilot rescued

    A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft crashed early June 12 southwest of Baghdad. The aircraft was flying from a forward-deployed air base in Southwest Asia supporting operations in Iraq.The pilot ejected safely from the single-seat aircraft and was rescued an hour later. He was

  • F-16 crashes south of Alamo Lake, Ariz.

    An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 62nd Fighter Squadron here crashed about 12:00 p.m. today south of Alamo Lake, Ariz. At the time of the accident, the F-16 was on an air-to-air student training mission. One pilot was on board. The status of the pilot is unknown at this time. A board

  • F-16 crashes, search for pilot ongoing

    An F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed at the Utah Test and Training Range around 10:25 p.m. June 22, and Hill Air Force Base emergency responders are conducting a search for the pilot. No contact has been made with the pilot, and base officials located the F-16 crash site in a remote area of the Utah Test

  • F-16 crew chiefs combat odds to keep jets in flight

    As the sun beats down upon him, an Airman wipes the sweat from his brow, spreading the layer of grease and oil from his hands onto his forehead. Consumed by the task at hand, he remains focused knowing his jet needs to be ready to take off within the hour.Suddenly, his work is put on hold.“This is

  • F-16 crews soar in South Korean exercise

    F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots from the 80th Fighter Squadron practiced combined flying operations March 28-31 alongside counterparts from the South Korean air force’s 19th Fighter Wing at Jungwon Air Base during Buddy Wing 16-3.

  • F-16 destroyed in fire in Southwest Asia

    An F-16 Fighting Falcon caught fire after the pilot aborted the takeoff at about 5:40 a.m. Baghdad time Nov. 12 at an air base in Southwest Asia. The pilot, who climbed out of the stopped aircraft, was taken to the Air Force Theater Hospital on base for evaluation and had no apparent injuries. The

  • F-16 destroys house filled with explosives in Iraq

    An F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot launched a bomb to destroy a house-borne improvised explosive device Nov. 25 near Maderiyah in Iraq. Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division were conducting a foot patrol in the area when they found an abandoned house with copper wires extending out of a window,

  • F-16 downs drone during cruise missile defense testing

    The 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron shot down a subscale drone using an AGR-20A Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System laser-guided rocket Dec. 19, providing a proof of concept for using rockets queued from an F-16 Fighting Falcon targeting pod as viable munitions to perform cruise missile defense.

  • F-16 drawdown begins at Spangdahlem

    Six F-16 Fighting Falcons are scheduled to depart here April 27 as the first step for the 52nd Fighter Wing staff in the Combat Air Force Restructuring plan expected to save the Air Force approximately $355 million in fiscal 2010 and $3.5 billion during the next five fiscal years.An additional six

  • F-16 Fighting Falcon covers multiple missions

    Hundreds of physical and mental training hours go into being a part of one of the most advanced careers in the world -- an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot. The F-16’s multiple missions, such as air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, make it one of the most versatile aircraft in the Air Force, said Capt.

  • F-16 maintainers make sure curtain gets raised

    Like a Broadway show, the stars get all the attention. But behind the scenes, key roles must be performed for the show to go on.The theater that the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing performs under features fast, agile fighter planes providing air support for troops on the ground. But without the hard

  • F-16 pilot receives Kolligian safety award

    One of the most coveted Air Force safety awards was presented by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz to an Air National Guard pilot during a ceremony here June 16. The award recipient, Lt. Col. Booth M. Johnston, received the Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy for an October 2007 incident in which

  • F-16 pilot receives Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy

    Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. John D. W. Corley presented the Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy, one of the service's top safety awards, to a fighter pilot during a ceremony June 5 in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes.  Assisting in the presentation was Koren Kolligian, nephew of the trophy's

  • F-16 pilot returns safely following in-flight incident

    An F-16 Fighting Falcon from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., jettisoned two external fuel tanks during a mechanical malfunction on takeoff at about 1:30 p.m. Sept. 21 on a homeland defense mission. The control tower noticed smoke coming from the fighter aircraft and reported it to the pilot who then

  • F-16 pilot status confirmed

    Maj. Troy L. Gilbert, the pilot of the Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon engaged in support of coalition ground combat operations that crashed approximately 20 miles northwest of Baghdad Nov. 27, was officially listed as killed in action.Positive identification was made through DNA analysis by the

  • F-16 pilots provide support for troops on the battlefield

    In an instant they are gone, but the 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron’s F-16 Fighting Falcons can be found in the Iraqi sky providing air support for servicemembers fighting against insurgents on the ground. The 510th EFS provides support for ground commanders countrywide. These tasks include

  • F-16 pilots receive Mackay Trophy

    Four F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots were awarded the Mackay Trophy at the National Aeronautic Association Fall Awards Banquet in the nation's capital Nov. 3. The award honors the "most meritorious flight of the year" by an Air Force person, persons or organization. This year's recipients were: -- Col.

  • F-16 pilots respond to Denver-bound aircraft

    Two F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots under the direction of North American Aerospace Defense Command officials here intercepted a Denver-bound airliner at about 6:45 p.m. Mountain time April 7. Shortly before the airliner was scheduled to land in Denver from Washington National Airport, a passenger

  • F-16 pylons receive upgrade

    Wiring for pylons on F-16 Fighting Falcons are being upgraded by the 309th Commodities Maintenance Squadron at Ogden Air Logistics Center here, enabling the jets to handle 21st century smart munitions. The cables that deliver the pilot's commands to the munitions must be more complex as weapon

  • F-16 receives special care at Hill

    Specialists at the Ogden Air Logistics Center’s, 649th Combat Logistics Support Squadron used their unique equipment and skills to repair a damaged F-16 Fighting Falcon. The squadron's role was pivotal since it is the only active-duty maintenance unit capable of making such repairs, said 1st Lt.

  • F-16 simulator goes high energy

    F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots here are honing their laser firing skills against airborne targets while flying their aircraft -- without ever leaving the ground.Pilots are using the high energy laser fighter simulator, an F-16 simulator modified to integrate a high energy laser weapon model into an

  • F-16 technology links allied nations' aircraft

    Warriors in future conflicts will see United States and coalition nations sharing more of the battlefield load thanks to U.S. and allied countries' F-16 Fighting Falcons getting an upgraded software program.The U.S. version of the software underwent large-force operational testing during a recent

  • F-16 test team conducts first guided launch of AIM-9X

    A test team from the Global Power Fighters Combined Test Force here moved a step closer to demonstrating the full combat capability of the newest variant of the AIM-9 Sidewinder missile on the F-16 Fighting Falcon.Maj. Bill Peris, a 416th Flight Test Squadron test pilot, fired the AIM-9X from an

  • F-16CM ACCIDENT REPORT RELEASED

    An Accident Investigation Board found that an F-16CM Fighting Falcon suffered an engine hardware malfunction resulting in its crash into a rural area in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility on March 29.

  • F-16s' arrival brings 'battle rhythm' to joint strike fighter wing

    After 17 months of silence, the 33rd Fighter Wing flightline here finally roared back to life Jan. 13. The 33rd FW received four F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 56th FW at Luke AFB, Ariz. The jets will help establish a "battle rhythm," as the wing stands up the first joint training center for the

  • F-16s arrive to be modified for autonomous testing

    VENOM-AFT is designed and funded to accelerate testing of autonomy software on crewed and uncrewed aircraft. It complements the autonomy data and AI experimentation proving ground at Eglin AFB and informs the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program and other autonomy developers. 

  • F-16s collide: one pilot, aircraft missing

    Two F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft collided during night training exercises Oct. 15 over the Atlantic Ocean about 40 miles east of Folly Beach, S.C. Captain Nicholas Giglio, from the 20th Fighter Wing here, and his aircraft are missing and a search is underway.The second F-16, piloted by Capt. Lee

  • F-16s featured in Dominican Republic air show

    U.S. Airmen and Coast Guardsmen joined their Dominican counterparts Feb. 16 and 17 to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Dominican air force with an air show. Aviation fans from this small island nation welcomed the Air Force active duty, Reserve and Air National Guard aircraft and

  • F-16s involved in air-to-air mishap

    Two F-16C Fighting Falcons, assigned to the 113th Wing D.C. Air National Guard were involved in a mid-air collision at approximately 11 p.m., Aug. 1, while on a routine training mission off the coast of Chincoteague, Va.

  • F-16s restored after years in storage

    Pilots here will be flying training, photo-chase and test-support missions, and instructing pilots using brand new old F-16s Fighting Falcons -- four of them resurrected and regenerated from more than a decade of storage.The aircraft were originally part of a deal U.S. officials brokered with the

  • F-16s scramble to unresponsive pilot over West Virginia

    Officials from the 601st Air and Space Operations Center here responded to a call from Federal Aviation Administration officials at approximately 8 p.m. Eastern time July 30 when radio calls to a civilian pilot went unanswered. F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots flying under the command and control of

  • F-16s train alongside F-35s

    F-16s from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, flew air-to-air combat training missions with F-35As assigned to the 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.