The F-15C Eagle fighter aircraft have been deployed to Starokostiantyniv Air Base, Ukraine, to participate in exercise Clear Sky 2018
On Oct. 6, 2018 F-15C fighters from the California Air National Guard’s 144th Fighter Wing (FW) landed for the first time ever today on Ukrainian soil.
The Eagles in fact have been deployed to Starokostiantyniv Air Base, Ukraine, to participate in exercise Clear Sky 2018 a joint and multinational exercise that will involve personnel from nine nations, including Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Additionally, a C-130J Super Hercules from the 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif., has arrived at Vinnytsia AB, Ukraine, to participate in the exercise.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of collaboration between the California Air National Guard and Ukraine as part of U.S. European Command’s State Partnership Program, and the exercise will include robust participation of California ANG units.

This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. F-15C Eagle 144th Fighter Wing, 194th Fighter Squadron, CA/80-004 – California Air National Guard – Fresno ANG Base, CA – 2016
Training will focus on air sovereignty, air interdiction, air-to-ground integration, air mobility operations, aeromedical evacuation, cyber defense, and personnel recovery.
This exercise aims to enhance regional capabilities to secure air sovereignty and promote peace and security through cooperation, collaboration and interoperability with NATO partners and other allies in the region.
The 144th FW is a unit of the California Air National Guard (CANG), based at Fresno Air National Guard Base, California. As part of the Air Reserve Component of the U.S. Air Force (USAF), the wing is operationally gained by the Air Combat Command (ACC).
144th FW’s primary mission is to provide air defense protection for California and the U.S. from the Mexican border to Oregon utilizing the F-15 Eagle jet fighter aircraft. The unit also supports the nation’s Counter Drug Program and responds to state emergencies when requested by the Governor of California.
Photo credit: U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Vaughn
Artwork courtesy of AircraftProfilePrints.com