RAF Coningsby has hosted U.S. Air Force jet fighters as part of a three-day exercise.
The Royal Air Force say in a news release that through the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept the USAF is testing new ways of deploying its aircraft during potential crises.
“Aimed at increasing flexibility and improving combat effectiveness, the Mission Assurance Exercise saw a number of F-15E Strike Eagles from RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk operated from Coningsby alongside based RAF Typhoons.”
“ACE means fighting on the move, with small units and small footprints,” said USAF Colonel Jason Camilletti, Commander of the 48th Fighter Wing.
“Exercising elements of ACE enables U.S. forces in Europe to operate from locations with varying levels of capacity and support, ensuring Airmen and aircrews are postured to deliver lethal combat power across the spectrum of military operations.”
Group Captain Matt Peterson, Station Commander RAF Coningsby, was quoted as saying:
“I am delighted to welcome our colleagues from the United States Air Force to RAF Coningsby. Our two air forces share a long and distinguished history of co-operation, achievement, and joint sacrifice. For example, in World War Two US airman Lieutenant Carl Joseph Van-Horn sadly died flying from Coningsby on D-Day in 1944.
The Typhoon squadrons based here train weekly with our colleagues from RAF Lakenheath over the North Sea, deepening our understanding of how our respective forces operate; honing the skills required to operate in coalitions around the world. Hosting the Strike Eagles here is part of that ongoing process that further strengthens the already close ties between our stations.”
Always like the F15 and now the Yanks have improved it by knocking out the F15EX
Not sure on that one, if I look at the F15 and compare it to the Typhoon is their designed role Air to air combat my gut tell me that the Typhoon is the better aircraft. The F15 does make a good multi role Air to Ground aircraft better than the Typhoon, but that is not what they were designed to do. So is the F15 good yeep but if I had to go into air combat I think I would rather have the Typhoon. I would love to see an exersise with a sqn of F15s going in for… Read more »
For a plane that was developed in the late 60s, early 70s the Eagle is one of the great aircraft off all time. It rained supreme for decades. The F-15E is still the world’s best multirole fighter especially now with the AESA radar and other systems. It carries a bigger and vastly more diverse load out than the Typhoon or any other Western strike fighter.
Certainly would. I’d hope stuff like this goes on but I wonder if we’ll ever hear about it
RAF Typhoons fly with and against the USAFE F15’s on a very regular basis.
I’ll take the F-15 with its combat record every day of the week and twice on Sundays. The Typhoon is good but no where near as good. That’s what my gut says.
The F-15C/Ds are the air to air version while the F-15E is the multi-role, primarily strike aircraft. The F-15Cs are the most dominant version in the air, and that would be a more interesting comparison to the typhoon. the C/D versions also received AESA radar, helmet mounted cueing for the Aim9-x and some other upgrades. looks like it will gradually be replaced by the F-15X as airframe begins to approach its service life. Its still a very potent aircraft. i’d imagine the typhoons have an edge in most scenarios but perhaps with the upgrades the F-15C can still pose a… Read more »
Agreed F15 is a beast. It will be relevant for many more years with latest upgrades
Up to 200 of these could be on order to fill a capability gap.
“Boeing lands the first order of the F-15EX”
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2020/07/13/heres-how-much-money-boeing-is-getting-to-build-the-new-f-15ex/
No doubt these will play a vital role in future conflicts alongside the F15EX
Boeing rolled out the first Loyal Wingman prototype in early May and its first flight is scheduled before the end of 2020.
https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/boeing-australia-confirms-loyal-wingman-production-centre