Cool video shows special painted F-15E Strike Eagle that celebrates 48th Fighter Wing’s 70th anniversary in the Mach Loop

The latest special painted F-15E Strike Eagle of the 48th Fighter Wing honors USAFE’s 80th anniversary, the Air Force’s 75th anniversary and the Liberty Wing’s 70th anniversary.

Filmed by our friend Dafydd Phillips on Oct. 29, 2022 the cool video in this post features the latest special painted F-15E Strike Eagle belonging to the 48th Fighter Wing (FW) in the Mach Loop along with other interesting guests.

Phillips explains;

‘I travelled up to the Mach expecting the weather to be pretty good only to find dark skies. It was a do or die moment so I chanced the walk up a hill. The first flight called in only to pull out two miles from me. The C-130 was then first lead the way and went twice around. As the weather was looking like it was closing in, the lights of the Liberty Eagle, Blackjack Flight with his wingman appeared through the rain. Two great passes in the rain gave some dramatic results with the still photos.’

The latest special painted F-15E Strike Eagle of the 48th FW honors USAFE’s 80th anniversary, the Air Force’s 75th anniversary and the Liberty Wing’s 70th anniversary. The aircraft was unveiled at RAF Lakenheath, UK, on Jul. 12, 2022.

The unit said in a post appeared

‘The 48 FW is about to enter its 70th year of operations. We have painted an F-15E with a special paint scheme to celebrate the rich history of Liberty Pilots, Maintainers, and all Airmen of the 48 FW. Additionally, the paint scheme is based on the Skyblazers aerial demonstration team from the 1950’s and 60’s, honoring a piece of USAFE’s 80-year history.’

As the USAFE’s only fourth and fifth-generation fighter wing, RAF Lakenheath brings unique air combat capabilities to the fight, such as the most advanced Joint Direct Attack Munitions used by the F-15E and the stealthiness of the F-35A. RAF Lakenheath provides all-weather, day or night air superiority and air-to-ground precision combat capability and multi-staged improvement program avionics.

Historically, the 48th FW has been the foundation of USAFE’s combat capability and remains so today. The Liberty Wing led the El Dorado Canyon raids into Libya in 1986 and was the first F-111 fighter unit to deploy to the Gulf during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The Liberty Wing also anchored NATO forces during Operations Deliberate Force and Allied Force. Since Sep. 11, 2001, the 48th FW has played a key role in antiterrorism operations, flying combat missions and providing combat support in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Photo credit: Dafydd Phillips