On the 2nd December 2019, five new Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) Boeing F-15SA aircraft were seen at RAF Lakenheath on their way to Saudi Arabia.
The five Royal Saudi Air Force Boeing F-15SA aircraft were:
Monday 2nd December 2019:
12-1044 - RSAF F-15SA
12-1062 - RSAF F-15SA
12-1080 - RSAF F-15SA
12-1081 - RSAF F-15SA
12-1082 - RSAF F-15SA
In October 2010, the US Congress was notified by Saudi Arabia of a possible sale of 84 new F-15SA aircraft and upgrades to a further 68 of their existing F-15S aircraft. The first four F-15SAs were delivered via RAF Lakenheath in December 2016 and subsequent batches have been delivered since then.
The F-15SA (Saudi Advanced) version has a modern fly-by-wire flight control system in place of the hybrid electronic/mechanical system used by all previous F-15s. It uses the APG-63(v)3 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, digital electronic warfare systems (DEWS), infrared search and track (IRST) systems, and other advanced systems. The fly-by-wire system will allow the carriage of weapons on the previously unused outer wing weapon stations.
John Bilcliffe |
John Bilcliffe |
John Bilcliffe |
John Bilcliffe |
Twelve F-16C Fighting Falcons arrived at RAF Lakenheath on the 5th May 2019. They are assigned to the 93rd Fighter Squadron (nicknamed 'Makos'), 482nd Fighter Wing, based at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida.
• 87-0233 - F-16C (93rd FS, 482nd FW)
• 87-0244 - F-16C (93rd FS, 482nd FW)
• 87-0259 - F-16C (93rd FS, 482nd FW)
• 86-0264 - F-16C (93rd FS, 482nd FW)
• 87-0287 - F-16C (93rd FS, 482nd FW)
• 88-0405 - F-16C (93rd FS, 482nd FW) - Marked 93FS
• 86-0307 - F-16C (93rd FS, 482nd FW)
• 86-0319 - F-16C (93rd FS, 482nd FW)
• 87-0338 - F-16C (93rd FS, 482nd FW)
• 85-1487 - F-16C (93rd FS, 482nd FW)
• 88-0404 - F-16C (93rd FS, 482nd FW) - Marked 482FW
• 85-1438 - F-16C (93rd FS, 482nd FW)
During the deployment, the F-16s will conduct Dissimilar Air Combat Training in order to enhance combat readiness, exercise the ability to operate from a deployed location, strengthen partnerships and demonstrate U.S. commitment to regional security.
The 48th Fighter Wing (Liberty Wing), based at RAF Lakenheath, have painted three of their F-15s in a heritage scheme.
"This heritage project is about the 48th Fighter Wing legacy, and more specifically the wing's support to the D-Day invasion during World War II," said Col. Will Marshall, 48th Fighter Wing commander.
The 48th Fighter Wing at Lakenheath consists of three squadrons of F-15s and one aircraft from each squadron has been painted in the new heritage scheme which features a chequered pattern on the nose, black invasion stripes down the wings, several national insignias and a Statue of Liberty painted on the tail.
• 97-219 - F-15E (492nd FS, 48th FW) - D/Day Red tail
• 84-010 - F-15C (493rd FS, 48th FW) - D/Day Blue tail
• 91-603 - F-15E (494th FS, 48th FW) - D/Day Yellow tail
• G-THUN - Republic P-47D Thunderbolt 'Nellie'
The F-15s were painted in the skin of a P-47 Thunderbolt which was the primary aircraft used by the the 48th FW during its service in World War II.
492 FS were equipped with the P-47 Thunderbolt in early 1944, flying their first combat missions in the type in April 1944. The squadron moved into Europe after assisting with the Normandy invasions with bombing and ground attack.
John Bilcliffe |
John Bilcliffe |
John Bilcliffe |
Matt Varley |
Matt Varley |
Matt Varley |
• RAF Lakenheath - December 2019:
Five Royal Saudi Air Force Boeing F-15SA.
• RAF Lakenheath - May 2019:
Twelve USAF F-16C (93rd FS 'Makos', 482nd FW, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida).
• RAF Lakenheath - 2019:
Three USAF F-15s (48th FW, RAF Lakenheath,) in Heritage Scheme.