Moving North

A 96th Test Wing F-16 lifts off from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Aug 27. The 96th and the 53rd Wing evacuated their aircraft due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Isaac. The Wings’ F-16s flew to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., and the F-15s flew to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Moving North

A 96th Test Wing F-15 lifts off from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Aug 27. The 96th and the 53rd Wing evacuated their aircraft due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Isaac. The Wings’ F-16s flew to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., and the F-15s flew to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Dropping bombs

An F-15 from the 389th Fighter Squadron releases a Guided Bomb Unit-31 over the Hill Air Force Base, Utah test range May 8 as part of Combat Hammer, a weapons system evaluation program. Aircraft from many different squadrons were on hand to participate in the air-to-ground evaluation conducted by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron, located at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The squadron hosts evaluations at Hill, Tyndall and Eglin each year, assessing weapon system performance, reliability, capabilities, and limitations in realistic combat scenarios against representative real-world targets. (Courtesy photo.)

46th weapons load competition

Staff Sgt. Kenneth Merritt, of the 46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, directs the loader to where the Guided Bomb Unit-12 goes during the 46th Maintenance Group’s fourth quarter weapons load competition at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Dec. 21. The best of Blue AMU and Red AMU met to load an AIM-9 and GBU-12 onto an F-16 and F-15 respectively. AMU Red won the competition. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

Incoming

An F-15C Eagle from the 44th Fighter Squadron fires an AIM-120 missile during a Combat Archer mission at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., May 5. Combat Archer, an air-to-air weapons system evaluation program maintained by the 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron. The WSEP program is used to evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of combat air force weapon systems. The evaluations are accomplished during tactical deliveries of fighter, bomber and unmanned aerial system precision guided munitions, on realistic targets with air-to-air and surface-to-air defenses. For many of the aircrew participating in WSEP, it is the first time employing live weapons. This provides a level of combat experience many units face during combat. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. John Hoffmann)

Locked & loaded

An F-15C Eagle from the 44th Fighter Squadron flies loaded up AIM-120 missiles during a Combat Archer mission at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., May 5. Combat Archer, an air-to-air weapons system evaluation program maintained by the 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron. The WSEP program is used to evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of combat air force weapon systems. The evaluations are accomplished during tactical deliveries of fighter, bomber and unmanned aerial system precision guided munitions, on realistic targets with air-to-air and surface-to-air defenses. For many of the aircrew participating in WSEP, it is the first time employing live weapons. This provides a level of combat experience many units face during combat. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. John Hoffmann)

Helping hand

F-15E maintainers from the 46th Maintenance Group perform final checks before takeoff from Eglin Air Force Base Fla., Jan. 18. The Strike Eagle flew the first ever sortie with the new APG-82 radar. The new radar replaces the 24-year-old APG-70 radar system. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Push

Afterburners burn bright as they move the 46th Test Wing F-15E Strike Eagle down the runway at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Jan. 18. The Strike Eagle flew the first ever sortie with the new APG-82 radar. The new radar replaces the 24-year-old APG-70 radar system. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Under the radar

Steve Coleman, F-15E crew chief, completes last minute checks underneath the plane prior to it taxiing out from Eglin Air Force Base’s flightline, Jan. 18. The Strike Eagle flew the first ever sortie with the new APG-82 radar. The new radar replaces the 24-year-old APG-70 radar system. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

33rd in Persian Gulf circa 1990

In this historic photo, a four-ship of F-15 Eagles, deployed from Eglin, fly over the Persian Gulf. Throughout the 90s, then-named 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing flew combat air patrol and high value airborne asset protection missions as part of Operations DESERT STORM and SOUTHERN WATCH. Known for the most combat kills, the wing "Nomads" ended the operational missions with 16 aerial victories. Today, the wing continues its air dominance by training pilots and maintainers for the military's future generation as DoD's Integrated Training Center for the F-35. (Courtesy photo)

Nose to tail

A 46th Test Wing maintainer prepares a 53rd Wing F-15 for take-off from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. More than 1,000 personnel of the 46th Maintenance Group are responsible for maintenance procedures for all of the 46th and 53rd aircraft located at Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Incoming

A 46th Test Wing maintainer watches as 53rd Wing F-15s taxi toward him at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. More than 1,000 personnel of the 46th Maintenance Group are responsible for maintenance procedures for all of the 46th and 53rd aircraft located at Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Mission accomplished

A group of 46th Test Wing maintainers walks away after arming 53rd Wing aircraft for take-off from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. More than 1,000 personnel of the 46th Maintenance Group are responsible for maintenance procedures for all of the 46th and 53rd aircraft located at Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Beneath the wing

The 46th Test Wing maintainers beat the heat under a 53rd Wing F-15 prior to arming it for take off from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. More than 1,000 personnel of the 46th Maintenance Group are responsible for maintenance procedures for all of the 46th and 53rd aircraft located at Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Beddown

A 4th Fighter Wing F-15E Strike Eagle sits as another arrives to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., as part of a hurricane evacuation from Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., Sept. 2 Approximately 30 Strike Eagles, three KC-135 Stratotankers and 300 personnel arrived to beddown the aircraft as Hurricane Earl headed for the N.C. coast. The 33rd Fighter Wing, a former F-15 unit now the training wing for the F-35 Lightning II, provided flightline space for the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Touch down

A 4th Fighter Wing F-15E Strike Eagle touches down at Eglin Air Force Base Fla., Sept. 2 as part of a hurricane evacuation from Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C. Approximately 30 Strike Eagles, three KC-135 Stratotankers and 300 personnel arrived to beddown the aircraft as Hurricane Earl headed for the N.C. coast. The 33rd Fighter Wing, a former F-15 unit now the training wing for the F-35 Lightning II, provided flightline space for the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

SDB calling

An F-15E Strike Eagle from the 4th Fighter Wing drops a Small Diameter Bomb during a Combat Hammer mission Feb. 3 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Combat Hammer is an Air-to-Ground Weapons System Evaluation Program controlled by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron. The F-15s from Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., participated in the week-long evaluation dropping GPS and laser-guided weapons. The WSEP was the first evaluation of SDBs at Eglin and first evaluation of Laser Joint Direct Attack Munitions in a Combat Hammer. The WSEP program, run by the 53d Weapons Evaluation Group, is used to evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of combat air force weapon systems. The evaluations are accomplished during tactical deliveries of fighter, bomber and unmanned aerial system precision guided munitions, on realistic targets with air-to-air and surface-to-air defenses. For many of the aircrew participating in WSEP, it is the first time employing live weapons. This provides a level of combat experience many units face during combat. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Scott Alford.)

Hooking up

An F-15E Strike Eagle connects with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 134th Air Reserve Wing for a refuel during a Combat Hammer mission Feb. 3. Combat Hammer is an Air-to-Ground Weapons System Evaluation Program controlled by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron. The F-15s from Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., participated in the week-long evaluation dropping GPS and laser-guided weapons. The WSEP was the first evaluation of Small Diameter Bombs at Eglin and first evaluation of Laser Joint Direct Attack Munitions in a Combat Hammer. The WSEP program, run by the 53d Weapons Evaluation Group, is used to evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of combat air force weapon systems. The evaluations are accomplished during tactical deliveries of fighter, bomber and unmanned aerial system precision guided munitions, on realistic targets with air-to-air and surface-to-air defenses. For many of the aircrew participating in WSEP, it is the first time employing live weapons. This provides a level of combat experience many units face during combat. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Scott Alford.)

Test pilots

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - An F-15 from Eglin's 40th Flight Test Squadron flies a test mission. The 40th FLTS pilots fly developmental test missions in F-15s, F-16s, A-10Cs and UH-1 helicopters. (U.S. Air Force photo/40th Flight Test Squadron)

Bold Quest exercise wraps up

An F-15 Eagle conducts its final tactical mission Sept. 21 as part of exercise Bold Quest at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The nine nation exercie was held jointly at Nellis AFB and Fort Irwin, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Casey Bain)

Wings over Alaska

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- An F-15 Strike Eagle, 60th Fighter Squadron, Eglin AFB, Florida, breaks away after receiving fuel from a KC-10 extender over the Pacific Alaska Range Complex on April 18 during Red Flag-Alaska 07-1. Red Flag-Alaska is a Pacific Air Forces-directed field training exercise for U.S. forces flown under simulated air combat conditions. It is conducted on the Pacific Alaskan Range Complex with air operations flown out of Eielson and Elmendorf Air Force Bases. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Snyder)

Wings over Alaska

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- An F-15 Strike Eagle, 60th Fighter Squadron, Eglin AFB, Florida, breaks away after receiving fuel from a KC-10 extender over the Pacific Alaska Range Complex on April 18 during Red Flag-Alaska 07-1. Red Flag-Alaska is a Pacific Air Forces-directed field training exercise for U.S. forces flown under simulated air combat conditions. It is conducted on the Pacific Alaskan Range Complex with air operations flown out of Eielson and Elmendorf Air Force Bases. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Snyder)

Wings over Alaska

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- An F-15 Strike Eagle, 60th Fighter Squadron, Eglin AFB, Florida, receives fuel from a KC-10 extender over the Pacific Alaska Range Complex on April 18 during Red Flag-Alaska 07-1. Red Flag-Alaska is a Pacific Air Forces-directed field training exercise for U.S. forces flown under simulated air combat conditions. It is conducted on the Pacific Alaskan Range Complex with air operations flown out of Eielson and Elmendorf Air Force Bases. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Snyder)

Wings over Alaska

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- An F-15 Strike Eagle, 60th Fighter Squadron, Eglin AFB, Florida, positions itself to make contact with a KC-10 extender over the Pacific Alaska Range Complex on April 18 during Red Flag-Alaska 07-1. Red Flag-Alaska is a Pacific Air Forces-directed field training exercise for U.S. forces flown under simulated air combat conditions. It is conducted on the Pacific Alaskan Range Complex with air operations flown out of Eielson and Elmendorf Air Force Bases. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Snyder) (Released)