F-15 History Page

The F-15 Eagle: Legend, Legacy, and Lessons

Damage Done By F-15s

Target Number Target Number Target Number Target Number
Aircraft (Air-Air) 107 (Includes an errant USAF MQ-9.) Aircraft, ground 64 (1 MiG-29, 5 MiG-21) Bridges 4 Mortar 1
Radar Trucks 4 Command and Control Facility 2 Radar Sites 6 Facilities 9
SAM sites 29 (1 SA-2, 1 SA-3, 3 SA-6) AFV 501 Artillery 1
Other Vehicles 16 (3 vehicles destroyed to keep from enemy, 1 VBIED) Radio Relay Stations 3 SSMs 45
Buildings 39 Towers 5 Tunnel 3
Petroleum Storage Tanks 3 Bunkers & Caves 26 Firing Positions 48
Weapons Cache 5 Enemy Combatants 89, Including Abu Nabil Compounds 5
AAA 1 motorcycle 2 Machine guns 2
Modular Refineries 1  
Assists
Assisted in killing 175 Assisted in Locating IED 1
Assisted in capturing 10 Compound assisted in destroying 4
Firing positions assisted in destroying 7 Weapons cache assisted in destroying 1
Caves assisted in destroying 2 Building assisted in destroying 1
vehicle assisted in destroying 1    
Serial Number Unit Comments
669 IAF Participated in Operation Pillar of Defense
AF76-063 49th Tactical Fighter Wing Retired to the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor.
AF77-100 102nd FW Flew Noble Eagle missions over New York
AF77-102 102nd FW Flew Noble Eagle missions over New York
AF77-108 Oregon ANG Flew Noble Eagle missions over the West Coast
AF78-118 USAF Participated in Rim of Pacific Exercise 2006
AF78-498 44 FS Crashed on January 17, 2006 in an area outside of Kadena AB in an area called W-173. Pilot rescued.
AF84-0014 36th FW, 53rd FS Shot down an Iraqi SU-22 on March 20, 2001
May have shot down an Iraqi MiG-29 on March 26, 1999.
AF81-040   Flew CAP over Washington, DC on July 4, 2005. CAP sortie flown by Major John Brawn.
86-0156   Shot down two MiG-29 with AIM-120 missiles on March 26, 1999.
86-0159   Shot down two MiG-29s with AIM-120 missiles on March 24, 1999.
AF88-1668 335th Fighter Squadron Flew Operation Enduring Freedom missions.
AF88-1672   Was part of a 21 ship formation at Ronald Reagan's funeral Procession.
AF88-1694 4th Fighter Wing & Shot down on April 7, 2003. Both crew members died in the crash.
AF88-1700 SJ F-15E, Flew Operation Iraqi Freedom missions
AF89-0487 335th EFS F-15E, Flew Operation Desert Storm missions, the only F-15E to score an Air-Air kill. Scored the kill by dropping a bomb on an Mi-24. Flew Operation Enduring Freedom missions. Flew over 10,000 hours.
AF89-0502   F-15E, Flew Operation Iraqi Freedom missions
AF89-0503   F-15E, Flew Operation Iraqi Freedom missions
AF89-0483   F-15E, Completed a combat mission on July 6, 2004.
AF90-239 F-15E Participated in Operation Enduring Freedom
AF90-240 F-15E Flew missions against ISIL
AF91-318 F-15E, 494th EFS Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
AF92-364 F-15E Participated in Operation Enduring Freedom
AF97221 F-15E Participated in Operation Enduring Freedom
AF0-3000 F-15E Participated in Operation Enduring Freedom
AF00-3003 F-15E Tested GBU-39
0231
  Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
236 F-15E Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom
311 F-15E Participated in Operations in Southwest Asia 2006
0501   Was part of a 21 ship formation at Ronal Reagan's funeral Procession.
0535   Participated in Operation Desert Storm
667   F-15E, flew Operation Enduring Freedom missions.
198   F-15E, flew Operation Enduring Freedom missions.
667   F-15E, flew Operation Enduring Freedom missions.
11220 492th Fighter Squadron Flew Operation Iraqi Freedom missions.
91=000304 USAF F-15E Crashed March 21, 2011 during Operation Odessey Dawn in Libya.
250 Israeli Air Force  
F-15Es based in Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, dropped 5,018 munitions during Operation Inherent Resolve.
F-15 aircrews received 57 Distinguished Flying Crosses for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom
F-15Es have exceeded 8,000 combat flight hours.
F-15E crews, call signs Dude-01 & Dude-02 won the 2010 Mackay Trophy for their mission on April 6, 2010. They came to the aid of 30 coalition troops which were being attacked by Taliban forces. They killed 80 enemy troops in their attacks.
F-15s of the 19th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, received the Raytheon Trophy for 2009.
F-15s of the 67th Fighter Squadron at Kadena AB, Japan, received the Raytheon Trophy for 2011.
F-15s of the 493rd Fighter Squadron received the Raytheon Trophy for 2014.

LIBYA

February 19, 2016 - F-15s were among the aircraft that struck an ISIS training camp near Sabratha, Libya. A senior ISIS leader was among those killed.
November 13, 2015 - Two F-15Es killed Abu Nabil.
June 2015 - Struck a terrorist target and killed a terrorist leader.
March 20, 2011 - 4 x F-15Es struck Libyan targets.
March 21, 2011 - An F-15E crashed because it exceeded its angle-of-attack paramaters. Both crew members ejected safely.

IRAQ/SYRIA

Destroyed over 1,000 targets.
379th dropped 32 Million pounds of ordinance.
F-15Es destroyed 60% of the Republican Guards.
March 24, 2023 - USAF F-15s struck three targets in Syria. The attack killed 19 Iranian backed terrorists.
February 25, 2021 - Two USAF F-15Es dropped 7 precision-guided munitions that destroyed 9 facilities and functionally destroyed 2 others.
June 20, 2017 - A USAF F-15E shot down a Syrian Shaeed 129.
June 8, 2017 - A USAF F-15E, piloted by Brigadier General Christopher Sage, shot down a Syrian UAV The UAV was apparently a Shaeed 129.
September 23, 2014 - F-15Es fleww strikes against ISIL forces.
August 2014 - F-15Es flew missions against ISIL forces.
January 2007 - F-15Es provided air support in the vicinity of Balad Ruz, Bayji, Basrah & Turki Village.
December 2006 - F-15Es provided air support in the vicinity of Baghdad.
November 2006 - F-15Es provided air support in the vicinity of Al Musayyib, Bayji, Baghdad, Basrah, Iskandariyah, Kirkuk.
October 2006 - F-15Es provided air support in the vicinity of Ad Diwaniyah, Al Hawijah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Mada'in, Al Muqdadiyah, Baghdad, Balad, Baqubah, Basrah, Hawijah, Khan Vani Sa'd, Mahmuyidah, Qal'at Rashid ar Rawt, Samarra, and Tall Ash Shihah.
September 2006 - F-15Es provided air support in the vicinity of Ad Diwaniyah, Al Hillah, Baghdad, Balad, Basrah, Najaf, Samarra.
August 2006 - F-15Es provided air aupport in the vicinity of Ad Diwaniyah, Al Hawijah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Mahmuduyah, Balad, Baghdad, Baquba, Kirkuk, and Mosul.
July 2006 - F-15Es provided air support in the vicinity of Al Hawijah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Mahmudiyah, Baghdad, Balad, Baquba, Basrah, Ramadi, Salman Pak, Taji & Tikrit.
June 2006 - F-15s provided air support in the vicinity of Al Amarah, Al Hawijah, Al Hillah, Al Mahmudiyah, Al Taji, Amarah, Baghdad, Baqubah, Mosul, Najaf, Ramadi, Samarra, Tall Afar, Tikrit.
May 2006 - F-15s provided air support in the vicinities of Al Hawijah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Mahmodiyah, Al Taji, Baghdad, Balad, Baquba, Bayji, Fallujah, Haditha, Hawijah, Hit, Ramadi, Salman Pak, Samarra, Tal Afar, Tikrit
April 2006 - F-15s provided air support in the vicinities of Al Fathah, Al Hawijah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Mahmudiyah, Baghdad, Balad, Baquba, Bayji, Habbaniyah, Fallujah, Hit, Karbala, Kirkuk, Ramadi, Salman Pak, Samarra, and Tikrit.
March 2006 - F-15s provided air support in the vicinities of Al Iskandariyah, Al Habbariyah, Al Amarah, Al Hawijah, Al Mahmudiyah, Al Taji, Balad, Baquba, Tikrit, Al Miqdadiyah, Baghdad, Jallulah, Kirkuk, Salman Pak, Samarra, Ramadi, and Mosul.
February 28, 2006 - Provided close air support to Coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinities of Al Amarah, Al Taji and Baghdad.
February 26, 2006 - Supported ground forces in Al Mansuriyah, Baghdad, Hit, and Ramadi.
February 22, 2006 - Supported ground forces in Al Mahmudiyah, Al Amarah, and Balad.
February 21, 2006 - Provided Close Air Support to Ground Forces in Baghdad, Baquba, Habbaniyah, Tikrit, Kerbala, Salman Park, and Samarra.
January 4, 2006 - Struck a weapons cache.
January 2, 2006 - Provided close air support to ground forces in Balad & Tikrit.
December 2005 - F-15s supported ground forces in Salman Pak.
November 2005 - Supported ground forces in Balad, Basra, Karabilah, Salman Park, Tacit.
November 14, 2005 - Supported ground troops as part of Operation Steel Curtain.
October 2005 - Supported ground forces in Baghdad, Balad, Basrah, Fallujah, Hawijah, Jalula, Mahmudiyah, Samarra, Sulaymaniyah, Tuz Khurmatu, Karabala and Husaybah.
October 29, 2005 - Dropped a 500 pound bomb on an enemy position.
October 16, 2005 - An F-15 spotted and attacked terrorists.
September 2005 - Supported ground forces in Ramedi, Balad, Haditha.
May 9, 2005 - F-15Es dropped 2x500lb laser guided bombs and fired 510x20mm rounds.
August 18, 2004 - F-15Es supported ground operations without expending ordinance.
April 14, 2004 - An F-15 strafed an enemy position.
November 18, 2003 - Dropped 4x500 lb bombs in Baquba
September 29, 2003 - F-15s supported a firefight involving US forces.
September 5, 2002 - Four F-15Es struck targets.
February 16, 2001 - USAF F-15E Strike Eagles were part of an attack package. They used AGM-130 missiles.
18 F-15's flew fighter escort missions during Operation Desert Fox. F-15Cs & Es were also involved in the December 28, 1998 incident. Three F-15E Strike Eagles fired six GBU-12 guided bombs and destroyed an Iraqi air defense site. On 25 January 1999 an F-15E "suppressed" an SA-3 missile site. On 28 February, 1999 F-15Es struck an air defence headquarters building and a radio relay station.

OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM

%Captain Michael Polidor, an F-15E pilot, is the recipient of the 2011 Col James Jabara Award for Airmanship.
%Lt Col Donald Cornwell, Lt Col Dylan Wells, Capt. Leigh Larkin, and Capt. Nicholas Tsoungus received the 2010 Mackay Trophy for their actions on April 6, 2010. They are credited with saving 30 coalition troops and helping kill over 80 enemy combatants.
March 2012 - F-15Cs returned to southwest Asia to support Operation Enduring Freedom.
February 25, 2012 - An F-15 Eagle tested an arresting barrier system.
July 2011 - F-15Es of thee 389th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron flew close air support missions as part of Operation Hammer Down II.
October 2008 - Dropped ordinance.
September 2008 - Dropped ordinance, straffed & provided shows of force.
August 2008 - Dropped ordinance, strafed & provided shows of force.
July 2008 - Dropped ordinance, strafed & provided shows of force.
June 2008 - Dropped ordinance & provided shows of force.
May 2008 - Dropped ordinance & provided shows of force.
April 2008 - Dropped ordinance & provided shows of force.
March 2008 - Dropped ordinance, strafed, & provided shows of force.
February 2008 - Dropped ordinance & provided shows of force.
January 2008 - Dropped ordinance, strafed, provided show of force.
December 2007 - Dropped ordinance, strafed, provided shows of force.
November 2007 - Dropped ordinance, strafed, provided shows of force.
October 2007 - Dropped ordinance, strafed and provided a show of force.
September 2007 - dropped ordinance, strafed and provided shows of force.
August 2007 - Dropped bombs on enemy bunker and bombed and strafed an enemy firing positions, and provided shows of force and overwatch.
July 2007 - F-15E provided: June 2007 - F-15E provided: May 2007 - F-15E provided: April 2007 - F-15E provided: March 2007 - F-15E provided: The F-15Es also provided overhead monitoring for coalition forces destroying a drug lab and storming a compound.
February 2007 - F-15Es provided support to ground forces in the vicinity of Kajaki, Musa Qal'eh, Now Zad, Pashsbad, Pech, Qurya.
December 26, 2006 - F-15E provided support to ground forces in the vicinity of Now Zad.
August 2006 - F-15E provided support to ground foces in the vicinity of Musah Qal-eh.
July 2006 - F-15Es provided support to ground forces in the vicinity of Qalat & Now Zad.
April 13, 2006 - F-15s provided close air support to Coalition troops in contact with enemy forces in the vicinity of Asadabad.
October 22, 2005 - F-15Es supported ground forces in Asadabad, Baghtu, Oruzgan, Shkin.
October 17, 2001 - Strike Eagles flew strike and FAC missions.
March 7, 2002 - F-15Es struck two dug-in positions.
One F-15E completed 33 sorties.
Strike Eagles flew strikes in the Battle of Gardez.
December 2, 2015 - A fuel leak caused an F-15E to catch fire after landing.
February 26, 2008 - A fuel starter motor explosion damaged an F-15 on the ground. SSgt Jonathan Billie prevented a larger explosion. May 3, 2012 - An F-15E March 28, 2012 - Spatial disorientation caused an F-15E crashed killing one crew member and injuring the other.
September 3, 2009 - An F-15E attacked two hijacked fuel trucks. It's likely some civilians died in the attack.
July 18, 2009 - An F-15E crashed. The crash was not due to hostile fire. Both crew members died in the crash.
June 11, 2008 - F-15s were involved in an airstrike that accidentally killed 11 members of the Pakistaini defense force.
August 24, 2007 - A bomb from an F-15E killed three British soldiers.

OTHER OPERATIONS

November 12, 2023 - USAF F-15s struck an Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) training facility and safe house.
November 8, 2023 - The USAF F-15s struck an Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) weapons storage facility.
February 4, 2023 - F-15s supported an F-22 on an operation to shoot down a Chinese reconnaissance balloon.
July 24, 2020 - A USAF F-15 intercepted a Mahan Air Airbus over Syria. After identifying the aircraft the F-15 opened the distance between the two aircraft. The jetliner continued on its flight to Lebanon. June 15, 2020 - An F-15C crashed into the North Sea.
May 26, 2019 - Florida Air National Guard interecepted and tracked a Cessna Citation V that crashed into the ocean.
August 11, 2018 - F-15s were scrambled to intercept a stolen Horizon Air Q400. The F-15 pilots made contact and soon after the plane crashed in an apparent suicide.
April 9, 2018 - Two Israeli F-15s struck a Syrian Air Base. The strike killed 14 including a member of the Iranian Guards Aerospace Force and three other Iranians.
May 25, 2015 - F-15Cs escorted an Air France Airbus A330 to JFK after someone claimed there were chemical weapons on board.
March 25, 2015 - Royal Saudi Air Force F-15s struck Houthi positions in Yemen.
2014 - F-15Cs of the 493rd intercepted 31 Russian aircraft in or close to NATO airspace.
September 5, 2014 - Two F-15s escorted an unresponsive TBM-700. The plane apparently had a high altitude decompression and crashed into the sea.
January 17, 2013 - Two Oregon Air National Guard F-15s intercepted and escorted Alaska Airlines Flight 819 after a hoax phone call claimed the plane was being hijacked.
December 13, 2012 - JASDF scrambled six F-15s after a Chinese government aircraft, B-3837, entered disputed airspace over the Senkaku Islands.
August 6, 2012 - Two F-15s intercepted two small aircraft over New York during President Obama's visit.
June 16, 2012 - F-15s intercepted two single engine aircraft over Chicago during President Obama's visit.
April 19, 2012 - Two F-15s provided cover for a Cessna 412 that was unresponsive and flying over the Gulf of Mexico. The plane eventually crashed into the Gulf.
April 10, 2012 - Two F-15s intercepted a Korean Air Boeing 777 and escorted it to Comox base on Vancouver Island. A bomb threat was made against the Korean Air flight.
July 9, 2011 - Two F-15s intercepted and directed a private plane out of restricted air space.
November 23, 2010 - South Korean F-15Ks patrolled the skies near the Northern Limit Line after North Korea shelled Yeonpyeong Island.
October 29, 2010 - Two F-15s escorted an Emirates Airlines Boeing 777 to JFK after it was suspected the plane might have explosive material.
August 17, 2010 - Two F-15s were scrambled when a small plane violated secure airspace in Seattle, Washington.
January 6, 2010 - Two F-15s were scrambled and shadowed a Boeing 767 that had a disruptive passenger on board. Lt. Col. Mark Dunham was one of the F-15 pilots.
April 2009 - Two F-15s were about to relieve two F-16s, who were tracking a stolen Cessna 172, but the Cessna 172 landed before the F-15s could take up the tracking.
January 2009 - IAF F-15s flew in Operation Cast Lead.
July 2008 - F-15Es searched for a crashed B-52 and its crew.
2008 - F-15s & F-15Es supported the NATO Summit in Romania.
September 6, 2007 - Israeli Air Force F-15s struck Iranian arms in Syria that were destined for Hizbullah. Other reports claim the strike was against a building housing nuclear equipment shipped from North Korea.
August 16, 2006 - Two Massachusetts Air National Guard F-15s escorted United Airlines Flight 923 to Logan National Airport after a disruptive passenger caused the pilot to make an emergency landing.
July 2006 - Israeli Air Force F-15Is participated in Operation Just Reward
Two F-15s escorted an American Airlines B-767 into Logan IAP, Boston. The jetliner may have been the intended victim of a terrorist suicide bomber. Flight Attendants and passenger subdued the suspected bomber.
Two F-15s were instrumental in the rescue of Lt. Cmdr. William Spears, USCG, who crashed in the Pacific Ocean in a Canard Pusher.
December 2009 - A Japanese Self-Defense Force F-15 lost part of it's tail section on takeoff.
November 13, 2008 - Pilot error caused an F-15C to overrun a runway at Tyndall Air Force Base, FL. The mishap caused $1.25 million damage to the airplane and $37,000 damage to the airfield and on-base environmental clean-up costs.
April 4, 2007 - The canopy flew off an F-15C.
March 10, 2006 - The canopy flew off an F-15C.
2006 - A passenger on a two-seat F-15, during an incentive flight, opened the canopy midflight and the canopy tore away.
December 13, 2005 - An F-15 had an engine failure at RAF Lakenheath, $1,000,000 damage.
November 1, 2005 - An F-15 sustained some tail damage while flying over water and had to make an emergency landing.
October 4, 2004 - Two F-15s collided 100 miles off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. Both planes landed safely.
January 12, 2004 - An F-15E dropped a practice 25lb (11kg) bomb on England.
May 29, 2003 - An F-15E had a mishap that caused $1.6M in damage.
March 28, 2015 - A Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 crashed while participating in operations in Yemen. The crew ejected and were rescued by a U.S. HH-60 helicopter.
October 8, 2014 - A radome inperfection caused an F-15D stationed at RAF Lakenheath to crash. The pilot ejected safely.
August 27, 2014 - An F-15C crashed near Deerfield, VA. The pilot, Lt. Col. Morris Fontenot Jr. died in the crash.
May 27, 2013 - A flight control system failuse caused a USAF F-15C to crash into the Pacific Ocean 70 miles east of Okinawa. The pilot was rescued.
May 3, 2012 - A USAF F-15E crashed in Dubai. Both crew members ejected safely.
January 14, 2011 - A Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 collided with a French Air Force Mirage. All crew members ejected safely.
October 25, 2011 - An F-15C crashed near Nellis AFB, the pilot ejected safely. The cause of the crash has not been determined.
July 5, 2011 - A Japanese Self-Defense Force F-15 crashed and killed the pilot.
July 30, 2008 - An F-15D crashed on the Nevada Test and Training Range. Lt. Col. Thomas Bouley died in the crash. Capt. Tucker Hamilton, An RAF exchange pilot, was injured in the crash.
February 20, 2008 - Two F-15Cs crashed in the Gulf of Mexico. 1st Lt. Ali Jivanjee was killed the other pilot was rescued. The cause was attributed to misjudgement on the part of both pilots.
February 1, 2008 - An F-15D of the Hawaii Air National Guard crashed into the Pacific Ocean. The Pilot ejected safely.
November 2, 2007 - An F-15D crashed, both rudders failed in a mid-range position. The Air Force grounded its F-15 fleet. Col. William Wignall, was slightly injured in the incident.
June 27, 2007 - An F-15 crash in Oregon killed Maj. Gregory D. Young.
June 26, 2007 - Pilot disorientation caused an F-15A of the 142nd Fighter Wing to crash into the Pacific Ocean. Major Gregory D. Young died in the crash.
May 30, 2007 - Jammed control cable caused an F-15D to crash in Indiana. The pilot, Major Stephen DeMilliano died in the crash.
June 4, 2003 - An F-15E, Serial Number 87-0186, of the 334th Fighter Squadron crashed near Newton Grove, NC. The crew ejected safely.
May 6, 2004 - A bird strike caused an F-15E crash at Roanoke, VA. Captains Darren Wees and Daniel Spier ejected safely.
May 21, 2004 - An F-15 crashed. The pilot, Lt. Col. Patrick Marshall, ejected safely.
June 18, 2004 - An F-15 crashed near Nellis AFB, NV. The pilot ejected safely.
October 4, 2004 - Two F-15s collided off the coast of Okinawa.
March 25, 2004 - A horizontal stabilator failure caused an F-15 crash at Nellis AFB, NV. The pilot ejected safely.
April 13, 2005 - SrA Billy Wheeler died from falling off a parked F-15C six days earlier at Elmendorf AFB, AK.
USAF F-15 Class A mishaps FY-2002 - 5; FY-2003 - 4; FY-2004 - 3; FY-2005 - 3
USAF F-15C Mission Capability Rates: 2001 - 77.9%; 2002 - 80.2%; 2003 - 79.2%; 2004 - 79.2%; 2005 - 78.2%
USAF F-15E Mission Capability Rates: 2001 - 74.3%; 2002 - 75.8%; 2003 - 78.5%; 2004 - 79.1%; 2005 - 80.3%

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