LN Strike Eagles going home

[capercaillie]

So how long do we think we will have them at Lakenheath for?

From what I’ve read, if it’s gonna happen won’t be until around 2030. There’s a lot of ifs and maybes about it still.

By which time the F-15Es will have been at Lakenheath for 38 years! That's seriously old. We retired our Tornados after a total similar service life and the Americans are only repositioning these. OK we'll be left with the dullest of the dull uncharismatic heaps at the Heath, but the Eagles weren't blink and you'll miss them.

Sadly unless F-15EX are sent over there is nothing more exciting anywhere in the pipeline.

[slogen51]

Beg to differ- the F-35A puts on an incredible show when in the circuit at Lakenheath - nimble as a Yak or a Pitts!

It's not so much the Eagles I will miss but the loss of the Bolars and Panthers which have been a constant during our spotting hobby. All that Squadron heritage lost. I admired how the two F-35A Squadron continued the 48FW heritage and traditions.

This assumes anything happens anytime soon, not worth stressing about things not in your control.

[Blackcat1]

First LN Eagles are expected at SJ by this time next year so the rumours say

[Blackcat1]

From what I’ve read, if it’s gonna happen won’t be until around 2030. There’s a lot of ifs and maybes about it still.

By which time the F-15Es will have been at Lakenheath for 38 years! That's seriously old. We retired our Tornados after a total similar service life and the Americans are only repositioning these. OK we'll be left with the dullest of the dull uncharismatic heaps at the Heath, but the Eagles weren't blink and you'll miss them.

Sadly unless F-15EX are sent over there is nothing more exciting anywhere in the pipeline.

Old yes , seriously old? Tell that to the B52

[Snoop 95]

Somebody, somewhere decided in the not-too-distant past that four squadrons of FJ's were required at RAF Lakenheath. Has 'somebody' decided that is no longer the case in this unstable world?

[James Cutting]

First LN Eagles are expected at SJ by this time next year so the rumours say

If you watch the video and the clip shown, nothing at all is decided yet, not even SJ. They might, but it isn’t confirmed.

[James Cutting]

Like Slogen said, this is all assuming something happens - it’s not actually officially confirmed. Mildenhall was officially closing, and then it wasn’t. Anything can change.

What’s certain though, is some years in the future, they’ll disappear. So just make the most of what you’ve got and just enjoy it.

[Boneyard1]

Hear hear!! Well said,James!

[Jason Grant]

I think this is all party politics with politicians making strategic military decisions. The Pentagon wanted to retire 26 older F-15E of the 335th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson AFB, this has now been blocked by lawmakers as it protects over 500 jobs. I think Senator Budd of North Carolina (home of Seymour Johnson AFB), who is now pushing for the removal of Strike Eagles from RAF Lakenheath, knows that time is running out on the older jets and he is protecting his own backyard by instigating the push for a realignment. Whether he gets his own way, time will tell.

[Vulcanone]

I suppose we can but hope Orange Man orders more F-15EXs.

As I saw something the other day (memory loss means I know not where) That someone in the USAF was warming to the idea of an F-16 Block 80....

[geoffs]

Spoke to a 144th FW pilot who are Fresno Airport, when they were visiting Miramar for the airshow last September. He said he was starting training for the F-15EX sometime this year. He was saying its like starting on a completely new plane again as all the systems and controls are different. Which is I guess what you'd expect!

[verreli]

A bit OT but do you know when Fresno will get their first EX? I'll be passing through in September / October and will stop by Fresno if they've received aircraft.

In regards LH getting EX's, I'd have thought that unlikely. A third F35 sqn is more likely due to logistics, training and spares availability. Would love to be wrong though.

[Malcolm]

A bit OT but do you know when Fresno will get their first EX? I'll be passing through in September / October and will stop by Fresno if they've received aircraft.

I doubt Fresno will have any EX's by September/October. The first unit to receive them is Portland, and to date they only have 3 (Aircraft #7, #8 & #9). Aircraft #9 (21-0009) was delivered only 3 weeks ago so further deliveries should be soon, but I doubt any will go to other ANG units before Oregon have close to their full compliment. The plan appears to be to build about 24 aircraft per fiscal year, so my guess is it'll be at least a year - assuming Fresno are next in line to get them.

[raameagle]

Kadena is next after Portland. Fresno won't get them for years unless the plan changes...

[NorvilleRogers]

Kadena is next after Portland. Fresno won't get them for years unless the plan changes...

Thought Donald had changed the plan and Selfridge is next after Portland so they can retire their A-10s.

[verreli]

Thanks all. Looks like it'll have to be next time for the EXs. By then they should be regulars in the Sidewinder.

[Bilvo]

Old politics game. One lot says "we're pulling out", next lot says "we're staying", in the meantime nothing happens.

Actually I think you'll find its nothing to do with politics, they are getting old.

Just like the older F-16s and A-10s have gone home, along with the F-15Cs that were with the 48th. Not to mention all the F-4s we had when I was a kid. Sure enough, as you get old so do aircraft ..

I think you'll find it's everything to do with politics.

The F-16s, A-10s that still fly in the US and the ex USAF F-4s which are still flying in Turkey and Greece you mean? Nothing to do with the age of the aircraft. Germans and Italians still flying Tornadoes years after the RAF retired them, when you start thinking about it, the examples go on and on.

Coltishall closing was literally a Labour decision in a Conservative heartland. How much longer did the Jaguar's keep flying after they left their Norfolk home, which was just as viable as them being at Coningsby.

[Vulcanone]

You think what you like I don't care. Now run along the worms will get you in the end

[Vulcanone]

As for the Jaguars they retired them 6 months early a year later. Feel free to tell us when the Greeks are retiring their F-4s as both they and Turkey are trying to keep the remain ones going. Oh and I believe it was the original Greek and Turkish F-4s that were updated, not any of the Surplus ANG airframes

[quid21]

Actually I think you'll find its nothing to do with politics, they are getting old.

Just like the older F-16s and A-10s have gone home, along with the F-15Cs that were with the 48th. Not to mention all the F-4s we had when I was a kid. Sure enough, as you get old so do aircraft ..

I think you'll find it's everything to do with politics.

The F-16s, A-10s that still fly in the US and the ex USAF F-4s which are still flying in Turkey and Greece you mean? Nothing to do with the age of the aircraft. Germans and Italians still flying Tornadoes years after the RAF retired them, when you start thinking about it, the examples go on and on.

Coltishall closing was literally a Labour decision in a Conservative heartland. How much longer did the Jaguar's keep flying after they left their Norfolk home, which was just as viable as them being at Coningsby.

Not wanting to question this, but I'm pretty sure I read something (memory won't tell me what) that said the RAF Tornadoes were retired because they had more airframe hours after accelerated use through deployments to the Gulf, Afghanistan etc The Germans and Italians perhaps didn't fly theirs as much or deploy as much?

I don't know.