48th Fighter Wing (Liberty Wing) in Action
RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk
|
F-15E Strike Eagle (01-2003 'LN') of 494th FS with its red and white fin tip markings in 2006.
(DSLR x1.6 sensor + Canon EF 28-135mm (38mm) 1/250 f8. |
 
The 48th Fighter Wing (FW) comprises of three Fighter Squadrons (FS).
The 493rd FS has 40 pilots and is equipped with 24 single seat F-15C Eagles and are exclusively used in the air superiority role.
The 492nd FS and 494th FS fly the two-seat F-15E Strike Eagle which has the dual capability of ground attack, both conventional and nuclear and air superiority. These two squadrons are also assigned 24 aircraft each for the 38 pilots and 38 Weapon Systems Officers (WSO).
To make sure all three squadrons are at full strength at all times; each will have an extra three or four aircraft available.
Right:
The 48th FW Wing Commander's aircraft F-15E Strike Eagle (01-2004 'LN') with multi-colour and '48 FW' tail markings on a low-level sortie through mid-Wales in October 2008. |
Left to right: The 48th FW Operations Group Commander's aircraft F-15E Strike Eagle (01-2001 'LN') with multi-colour and '48 OG' tail markings at the holding point prior to take-off.
The 492nd FS Commander's aircraft F-15E Strike Eagle (97-0221 'LN' '492 FS') with blue and white fin tip markings.
The 493rd FS Commander's aircraft F-15C Eagle (84-0027 'LN' '493 FS') with yellow and black fin tip markings.
The 494th FS Commander's aircraft F-15E Strike Eagle (01-2002 'LN' '494 FS') with red and white fin tip markings.
|
 |
 |
The 492nd Fighter Squadron (blue fin tip) in Action. |
| F-15E Strike Eagle (91-0332 'LN') with blue fin tips it has '492 FS' on the fin and was using callsign 'Panther 11' in June 2014. |
| Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (91-315 'LN') callsign 'Panther 81' in April 2016. F-15E Strike Eagle (98-135 'LN') low in the Lakes in June 2016. |
| Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (91-0327, 91-0307 and 91-0308) callsign 'Duster' in Wales in February 2015. F-15E Strike Eagle (97-0219 'LN') in June 2015. |
| Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (98-0131 'LN') in March 2014. F-15E Strike Eagle (98-0133 'LN' and (91-0605 'LN') callsign 'Corvette 52' and 'Corvette 53' in March 2014. |
| Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (91-316 'LN') callsign 'Shark 13' in March 2014. F-15E Strike Eagle (97-0219 'LN') in July 2011. F-15E Strike Eagle (91-0302 'LN') in October 2010. F-15E Strike Eagle (98-0131) in October 2009. |
| Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (97-0217) in October 2009. F-15E Strike Eagles (98-0133 'LN') callsign 'Jazz' in September 2009. F-15E Strike Eagle (91-0304 'LN') in September 2009, this aircraft was later to crash in Libya on March 22, 2011 during operation 'Odyssey Dawn' to secure a no fly zone, both crew ejected safely. F-15E Strike Eagle (98-0133 'LN') callsign 'Dirty 52' in September 2009. |
| Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (97-0222 'LN') callsign 'Jazz 31' in September 2009. F-15E Strike Eagle (91-0309 'LN') in December 2008. F-15E Strike Eagle (96-0205 'LN') in October 2008. F-15E Strike Eagle (91-0332 'LN') callsign 'Sonic' in February 2008. |
| F-15E Strike Eagle (91-0312) about to touch down late in the afternoon. December 2014 |
| Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagles (98-0132 and 91-0303), the 492nd ramp and an F-15E heading for the runway holding point. |
| Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagles (98-0134, 91-0315, 91-0311 and 98-0133). |
 |
The 493rd Fighter Squadron (black/gold fin tip) in Action. |
| F-15C Eagle (84-0010 'LN') of 493rd FS, 48th FW, climbing out of low-level in April 2013. |
| Left to right: F-15C Eagles (86-0156, 86-0171, 86-0172 and 86-0164 'LN') using callsigns 'Grim 01-04' low in LFA17 in Cumbria in September 2021. |
| Left to right: F-15C Eagle (86-0175 and 84-010) through LFA7 Wales in April 2013. |
| Left to right: F-15C Eagle (84-027 '493 FS') in April 2013. F-15D Eagle (86-0182 'LN') this jet crashed on October 8, 2014 in Lincolnshire. |
| Left to right: F-15C Eagle (86-0154 'LN' and 84-0019 'LN') in July 2012. F-15C Eagle (86-172 'LN') callsign believed to be 'Sweep' in mid-Wales in April 2016. |
| Left to right: F-15C Eagles (86-0171, 86-0167 and 86-0172) and an F-15C and F-15D pair departing together. |
Left to right: F-15C Eagles (84-0027 '493 FS' x2, 84-0027 with 86-0160).
Two-seat (2nd seat is unoccupied) F-15D Eagle (84-0044 'LN') returning after sortie. The 493rd FS also has a pair F-15D which are essentially two-seat F-15C models and are primarily used for training. The rear seat is not equipped with combat avionics and need not be occupied. |
| Left to right: F-15C Eagles (86-0154 and 84-0014) in 2008 and 2016. |
 |
 |
The 494th Fighter Squadron (red fin tip) in Action. |
| F-15E Strike Eagle (96-204 'LN') using callsign 'Roar 41' of the 494FS, 48FW at RAF Lakenheath in December 2014. |
| Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (00-3001 'LN') in June 2015. F-15E Strike Eagle (91-0310 'LN') calling 'Rage 21' in April 2016. F-15E Strike Eagle (91-0324 'LN') callsign 'Animal Flight' in November 2016 in the Lakes. |
| Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (96-204 'LN') using callsign 'Roar 41' in December 2014. F-15E Strike Eagle (01-2002 'LN') in June 2014. F-15E Strike Eagle (91-604 'LN') in July 2011. F-15E Strike Eagle (01-2003 'LN') in October 2010. |
| Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (91-0313 'LN') callsign 'Storm 31' in October 2009. F-15E Strike Eagles (91-0317 'LN') in September 2009. F-15E Strike Eagle (91-0313 'LN' and 00-3001 'LN') in July 2009. |
| Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (00-3002 'LN') in February 2008. F-15E Strike Eagle (00-3001 'LN' and 91-0314 'LN') in June 2005. |
| Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagles (00-3004, 91-0314, 91-0317 and 00-3004 'LN'). |
| Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagles (91-0335, 91-0306, 91-0317 and 91-314 '494FS'). |
