Lakenheath’s Everywhere Eagles

Eagles and Strike Eagles from RAF Lakenheath, UK, fanned out to exercises in southern Europe this month to continue training while Lakenheath’s runway is under repair. Fifteen F-15Es and 300 airmen from the 492nd Fighter Squadron relocated to Aviano AB, Italy, for two weeks of dissimilar air combat training with resident F-16s. “Different aircraft allow both crews to accomplish training missions that typically wouldn’t happen,” 492nd FS Operations Director Maj. Timothy Dowling said in a release. Meanwhile, a dozen F-15C/Ds and 250 pilots, maintainers, and support personnel from Lakenheath’s 493rd FS are taking part in exercise Anatolian Eagle at Konya AB, Turkey, officials announced. “Anatolian Eagle is a great opportunity for our aircrews to hone their operational skills from a forward operating location,” 493rd FS Commander Lt. Col. John Stratton said. NATO allied aircraft from Germany, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, as well Pakistan took part in the exercise June 8-18. (Pentagon release.)