On Jul. 28, Aircraft 91-0308, a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle, etched its name in aviation history by becoming the first F-15 assigned to RAF Lakenheath to accomplish an impressive milestone – 10,000 flight hours.
U.S. Air Force Airman Delanie Brown
Having faithfully served the 48th Fighter Wing for an astonishing 31 years, this remarkable aircraft arrived on September 17, 1992. Throughout its tenure with the Liberty Wing, it has undertaken over 4,100 sorties and has undergone more than 20 phase inspections.
A testament to the relentless dedication of the 48th Maintenance Group, Aircraft 91-0308 defies expectations, surpassing the original service life projection of about 8,000 flight hours. Tech. Sgt. Evan Wilby, the 492nd Fighter Generation Squadron aircraft section chief, emphasized the unwavering commitment displayed by the maintenance team in keeping this aircraft airborne.
This achievement places Aircraft 91-0308 in an elite group, with only 86 out of the more than 800 U.S. Air Force F-15s reaching the milestone of 10,000 flight hours. Notably, among the F-15E variant, it is only one of 53 to attain this feat and is the very first F-15 of any variant to do so while assigned to RAF Lakenheath.
The dedication and hard work invested in maintaining this aircraft are nothing short of remarkable. According to Wilby, the total hours of maintenance lavished on this aircraft exceed 30,000. This figure takes into account the three-hour inspection performed at the end of each flying day, not to mention the additional checks conducted in between flights and the comprehensive inspections carried out by the phase section every 400 flight hours. Such meticulous attention ensures the aircraft’s optimal condition after each flight.
Staff Sgt. Marcus Lawrence, the dedicated crew chief of the 492nd FGS, expressed his admiration for achieving this milestone, attributing it to the collective effort of all personnel assigned to the 48th Maintenance Group over the past 31 years.
Despite reaching the monumental 10,000 flight-hour mark, the aircraft’s operational journey is far from over. As Lawrence stated, not much changes after this milestone. The maintenance procedures remain consistent, though routine checks might be more frequent due to the aircraft’s extensive flying hours.
Over the years, Aircraft 91-0308 has played a crucial role in various military operations. Since 2009, it has been actively involved in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve. Its last deployment was in Operation Inherent Resolve, from April to October 2021. This impressive service record stands as a testament to the aircraft’s reliability and the capabilities of the F-15E model in general.
Looking ahead, the U.S. Air Force has earmarked the F-15E Strike Eagle, including this particular aircraft, for continued service well beyond 2025. Its legacy as a workhorse of the skies is set to endure, thanks to the dedication of the 48th Fighter Wing aircraft maintainers who diligently ensure its readiness and performance.
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Leave this Strike Eagles 91-0308 with the English museum streaming with SR-71 Blackhawk and other essteemed aircraft.