493rd Fighter Squadron “The Grim Reapers”

End of an Era: last 493rd Fighter Squadron commander of the Eagle era recalls the last years of the Mighty F-15C at RAF Lakenheath

End of an Era: last 493rd Fighter Squadron commander of the Eagle era recalls the last years of the Mighty F-15C at RAF Lakenheath

In 2022, the Grim Reapers transition to the F-35A Lightning II, closing the chapter of the F -15C Eagle in… Read More

1 year ago

Cool video shows 5 F-15C/D Eagle Air superiority fighters doing 5 unrestricted climbs on Nov. 5

Taken on Nov. 5, 2021 at RAF Lakenheath the cool video in this post, features five F-15 Eagle air superiority… Read More

2 years ago

Lakenheath prepares to bid farewell to 493rd FS F-15Cs with “The King” Last Flight after having activated USAF first Europe-based F-35A Squadron

With the arrival of the F-35As, 493rd FS’ F-15Cs will leave for good. The 48th Fighter Wing has activated the… Read More

2 years ago

Cool photos show “The King,” the last of the 48th FW’s Heritage F-15 aircraft, in the green light of the Aurora Borealis

The F-15C Eagle, painted in the traditional allied invasion stripe scheme, ice blue tails, and the distinct markings of the… Read More

3 years ago

Raytheon Trophy awarded to Lakenheath F-15 Eagles for the fourth time in a row

“They should just call it the Liberty Trophy from here on out,” 48th Fighter Wing Commander Col. William Marshall. The… Read More

4 years ago

F-15 Vs MiG-29: the 493rd FS MiG Kills scored during Operation Allied Force

The 493rd FS would claim four Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Air Force MiG-29s destroyed during the brief campaign. Operation Allied… Read More

5 years ago

LAKENHEATH 493rd FIGHTER SQUADRON EARNS RAYTHEON TROPHY FOR THE 5th TIME IN 10 YEARS

The Raytheon Trophy dates to 1953 and is awarded annually to the top air superiority or air defense squadron in… Read More

7 years ago