A 53rd Wing F-15 Eagle takes off from one of Eglin Air Force Base’s runways as a 33rd Fighter Wing F-35 Lightning II taxies onto another. The F-15 is used for operational test missions while the F-35 is used to train pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Maj. Christopher Wee, Operation Flight Program Combined Test Force, secures his helmet in his F-15 Eagle prior to a morning sortie at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The OFPCTF Airmen fly test missions exclusively in various F-15 models. The OFPTCF is partially owned by both the 53rd Wing and 96th Test Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Maj. Christopher Wee, Operation Flight Program Combined Test Force, performs pre-flight checks in his F-15 Eagle prior to a morning sortie at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The OFPCTF Airmen fly test missions exclusively in various F-15 models. The OFPTCF is partially owned by both the 53rd Wing and 96th Test Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
A 40th Flight Test Squadron F-15 Eagle soars after completing a fly by on the Duke Field runway during a morning sortie. The 40th FTS Airmen fly operational test missions in the F-16, F-15 and A-10. The 40th FTS is a squadron in the 96th Test Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
A 40th Flight Test Squadron F-15 Eagle rolls by along the Duke Field taxiway during a morning sortie. The 40th FTS Airmen fly operational test missions in the F-16, F-15 and A-10. The 40th FTS is a squadron in the 96th Test Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)