Four 
F-15s and about 130 airmen from the 493rd Fighter Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, Britain, recently deployed to Siauliai, Lithuania, where, as of Oct. 1, they are now protecting the air sovereignty of NATO members Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. “The United States is committed to the air sovereignty of its NATO allies and to ensuring the regional peace and stability for these countries,” said Lt. Col. Michael King, the unit’s commander. The squadron took over the air-policing mission from the German Air Force. NATO members have been providing aircraft to protect Baltic airspace since 2004. This is the second time the US has provided support for this mission. (Siauliai report by TSgt. J. LaVoie)
U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles have roared out of Barnes Air National Guard Base, Mass., for the last time. The 104th Fighter Wing’s last three F-15Cs departed the base Oct. 23 for the “Boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., ending the aircraft's era on the frontlines of homeland defense.
