Qatari. F15

[Philwinward]

The latest rumour for their departure is Monday 15th I believe.
Wondering if this extended stay at Mildenhall was planned or is a result of diplomatic / political problems. Doesn’t seem to be a tech problem as there have not been any reports of work being carried out on them. If they stay on the ground much longer they’ll need engineering / flight checks before they leave.
Have the aircrew returned to the US or are they still at Mildenhall I wonder ?

[Andy Marden]

Phil,
It is very possible that the aircrews returned the 5 miles to their homes at Lakenheath.
Andy

[colt99]

Phil,
It is very possible that the aircrews returned the 5 miles to their homes at Lakenheath.
Andy

They wouldn't have been Lakenheath pilots Andy, the F-15s would have been flown by Boeing contracted pilots

[Roastbeef11]

There is ground crew there from st loius today so I expect them to go soon but I think they will have to flight test first

[slogen51]

I I heard Monday or was it Tuesday?

I bet ( guess) the pilots work for the Defense Contract Management Agency

https://www.dcma.mil/News/Tag/86386/pilot/

They still could be current or ex 48FW pilots on loan ( although would a front line wing loan pilots? But they can use the post for career advancement)

F-35A delivered by DCMA
https://www.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2002357036/

The media said the two US pilots that zero - zero ejected from a F-15QA were both DCMA pilots , one US Navy.

[Starbuck]

They still could be current or ex 48FW pilots on loan ( although would a front line wing loan pilots? But they can use the post for career advancement)

Apparently the 48FW pilots need a new qualification to fly QA's or EX's which none have.

[Starbuck]

The latest rumour for their departure is Monday 15th I believe.
Wondering if this extended stay at Mildenhall was planned or is a result of diplomatic / political problems. Doesn’t seem to be a tech problem as there have not been any reports of work being carried out on them. If they stay on the ground much longer they’ll need engineering / flight checks before they leave.
Have the aircrew returned to the US or are they still at Mildenhall I wonder ?

Not sure how accurate it is but rumor is it's the Qatari's stopping the onward leg due to not being happy with the paint on at least one of the jets and want it redone before arriving in country but the flight crews went home a couple days after arriving at MIldenhall so there's no one to fly them.

[Sentinal]

Surely this would have been picked up and rectified before leaving the U.S.

[Starbuck]

Surely this would have been picked up and rectified before leaving the U.S.

Yeah, you'd have thought so, when they say needs repainting could be a simple as a small patch. Guess we'll find out in time.

[BOLLO]

I heard it was due to dipomatic clearances ??

[tommc]

Not sure how accurate it is but rumor is it's the Qatari's stopping the onward leg due to not being happy with the paint on at least one of the jets and want it redone before arriving in country but the flight crews went home a couple days after arriving at MIldenhall so there's no one to fly them.

Are you not confusing this with the Qatari HAWK that had to be sent back into the Warton sprayshop because the Qataris refused to accept it?

[baz1]

so at that rate the Qataris travelled to the Hall inspect the F15's and rejected one due to paint i think not!
i tend to agree with Pauls theory

[Starbuck]

Not sure how accurate it is but rumor is it's the Qatari's stopping the onward leg due to not being happy with the paint on at least one of the jets and want it redone before arriving in country but the flight crews went home a couple days after arriving at MIldenhall so there's no one to fly them.

Are you not confusing this with the Qatari HAWK that had to be sent back into the Warton sprayshop because the Qataris refused to accept it?

I don't think so, came from someone who sprayed the Boris jet but now I'm not so sure, if I am wrong I apologise.

[slogen51]

09:30 Still a lot of activity around the F-15QA. Not going to have another go at leaving?

The engine covers are back in

Fuel bowser has visited each one in turn so probably just a top up for tomorrow morning

10:20 all quiet now