Tag Archives: boeing

How to sling load your 1:1 scale F-80 Gate Guard with a CH-47.

Iowa Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot, 11APR2023.

On 11APR2023, the Iowa Army National Guard was called in to move an Iowa Air National Guard ‘gate guard’, using their Viet Nam era CH-47 Chinook.

Iowa Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot, 11APR2023.

The Korean ‘UN police action’ era F-80 Shooting Star had just gotten some new clothes, in order to proudly continue its guard duties on Camp Dodge.

Iowa Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot, 11APR2023.

Iowa Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot, 11APR2023.

Iowa Air National Guard video by Senior Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot, 11APR2023:

The painting process began on 15SEP2022, when the F-80 was sling loaded to the paint shop in Sioux City.

Iowa Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot, 15SEP2022.

Iowa Air National Guard video by Senior Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot, 15SEP2022:

It wasn’t the first time the Iowa Air Guard F-80 got new clothes.

Iowa Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot, April 2011.

In April 2011, the Shooting Star was stripped naked and fitted for the uniform of the 174th Fighter Bomber Squadron, for its new job as a gate guard on Camp Dodge.

Iowa Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot, April 2011.

Iowa Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot, 2011.

Cold War Vehicle I-D:

IOWA CHANGING OF THE GUARD; F-100  Iowa’s RF-84F THUNDERFLASH & YRF-84F, AN APPEAL TO MONOGRAM!

WYOMING SHOOTING STAR

Ultimate Caduceus: “Surge the System”, FEMA Region 10 Mass-Med-evacuation!

26 March 2023 (16:05-UTC-07 Tango 06) 06 Farvardin 1402/04 Ramadan 1444/05 Yi-Mao(2nd month) 4721/26 марта 2023 года

McChord Field, Washington, 15MAR2023. Photo by John Wayne Liston.

From March 13th through 17th, 2023, FEMA Region 10 underwent a mass aero-medical evacuation, affecting the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington!

The U.S. Transportation Command (TransCom) coordinated the medevac.  More than 4-hundred military (Regular [Active Duty], Reserve and National Guard) and civilian personnel from across the U.S. were involved, including personnel from the the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Defense Health Agency.

McChord Field, Washington, 15MAR2023. Photo by John Wayne Liston.

Most of the medevac took place on McChord Field in Washington, but also included Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; Gowen Field (Boise Airport), Idaho; and Portland Air National Guard Base (Portland Airport), Oregon.

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, 13MAR2023. USAF photo by Airman First Class J. Michael Peña.

Fortunately it was all a massive training event: “It allows in a controlled environment to surge the system, identify what needs to be improved, then to act on those areas to train to the highest standards.”-Major Donna Olson, 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron

“You want to make the training as realistic as possible with some stressors you would find out in the real world. Making sure the players aren’t completely stressed out, but proper learning is done.”– Master Sergeant Robert McNeal, North Carolina Air National Guard

“It’s important to do exercises like this to give people a sense of what happens in real world situations. The more you do it the less you have to think about it when it actually happens.”-Technical Sergeant Shannon Glover, 446th Operations Support Squadron

U.S. Air Force video report by Airman First Class Quatasia Carter, 13MAR2023:

A Boeing C-17 Globmaster-3, on McChord Field in Washington, was used to move the victims, video by Staff Sergeant Chris Sommers, 14-15MAR2023:

Some of the victims were delivered via UH-60 Black Hawk rotary wings, with the help of Portland Fire, video by Staff Sergeant Chris Sommers, 17MAR2023:

Some victims were transferred from the C-17 to awaiting Black Hawks, video by Staff Sergeant Chris Sommers, 15MAR2023:

CH-47 Chinooks also brought in victims, video by Staff Sergeant Chris Sommers, 17MAR2023:

Some CH-47s delivered directly to the waiting C-17, video by Staff Sergeant Chris Sommers, 14MAR2023:

Washington Army National Guard video, by Peter Chang, 17MAR2023:

Exercise Ultimate Caduceus has been conducted since at least 2011, but it is not always in FEMA’s Region 10.  Ultimate Caduceus 2011 took place in FEMA Region 4, and the scenario was disaster response to a massive New Madrid earthquake.

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Region 10:  Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington.

U.S. Disaster, 2022: UTAH’S NEW FEMA REGION 8 URBAN DISASTER TRAINING SITE

CASCADIA RISING, FEMA PREPARATIONS, CANADA ONBOARD!

Pandemic Perfidy, 2021: MILITARY MEDICAL TEAMS DEPLOY TO FEMA REGIONS 4, 6, 8 & 10!

WW3 Shenanigans: New F-15 Eagle forces Qatar to invade Idaho?

25 March 2023 (12:05-UTC-07 Tango 06) 05 Farvardin 1402/03 Ramadan 1444/04 Yi-Mao(2nd month) 4721/25 марта 2023 года

“The F-15QA aircraft is the most advanced version of the fighter ever built. It brings to its operators next-generation technologies such as fly-by-wire flight controls, digital cockpit, modernized sensors, radar, and electronic warfare capabilities, and the world’s fastest mission computer. Increases in reliability, sustainability and maintainability allow defense operators to affordably remain ahead of current and evolving threats. The F-15QA’s advances will enable it to bolster the U.S. and allied coalition’s ability to project lethal force and protect allied forces and locations.”-Boeing

Essentially, the F-15QA is a Qatari version of the new F-15EX.

Top-brass of Qatar Emiri Air Force meet top-brass of Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, 14MAR2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Krista Reed Choate.

On 14MAR2023, the military leaders of the Qatar Emiri Air Force paid a visit to Mountain Home Air Force Base (AFB), in Southern Idaho.  The purpose of the visit was to scout-out a new U.S. based home for a Qatari Air Force unit!

A Qatar Emiri Air Force Major General meets silly-vilian (civilian) officials on Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, 14MAR2023. USAF photo by Airman First Class Krista Reed Choate.

Establishing a Qatari military unit on a U.S. Air Force (USAF) base inside the United States is known as the Qatar Emiri Air Force Bed-down Proposal.

A Qatar Emiri Air Force F-15QA/Falcon-5 flies in formation with a USAF B-52H Stratofortress in the ‘Central Command Area of Responsibility’, 12MAR2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Wright.

This is connected to Qatar’s recent purchase of the new Boeing F-15QA.  The F-15QA is a new Eagle built specifically for Qatar.  In 2017, Qatar ordered 36 F-15QAs.  It is also known as the Falcon-5.

The USAF issued an environmental report claiming that the additional F-15s (Singapore operates F-15SGs from Mountain Home) will have “no significant impact” on the local ecology.  However, a final decision on where to ‘beddown’ the new Qatari F-15QA/Falcon-5 unit has not been made.

Roll-out of F-15QA/Falcon-5. USAF photo by Master Sergeant Nancy Falcon, 25AUG2021.

In 2021, Qatar began receiving some of its new F-15QA/Falcon-5 aircraft.

USAF photo by Master Sergeant Nancy Falcon, 25AUG2021.

Air Force Times, May 2021: F-15QA bound for Qatar declares emergency, USAF pilot ejects.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, August 2020: Contract awarded for Falcon 5/F-15 Beddown, State of Qatar. The air base facilities contract award amount was $524-million-416-thousand-9-hundred. This is apparently for the F-15QAs that are being based inside Qatar. The contract was through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, which is subsidized by U.S. taxpayers.

F-15 Eagle 50th Anniversary, 2022: EAGLES HIT 10-THOUSAND HOURS, WAY PAST THEIR ‘PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE’!

Vehicle I-D, 2021: F-15EX HAS ARRIVED! COMMANDER SAYS “IT’S AN EX-CITING DAY!”

World War Three Shenanigans:

United Arab Emirates INVADES LOUISIANA?

NATO-Germany INVADES IDAHO?

Battle for Ukraine: A-W-A-C-S deploy to Ukraine!

03 February 2023 (11:37-UTC-07 Tango 06) 14 Bahman 1401/12 Rajab 1444/13 Jia-Yin 4721/03 февраля 2023 года

Photo via NATO, 17JAN2023.

On 17JAN2023, NATO deployed deployed three Boeing E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft to NATO-Romania, which borders Ukraine.  Up until now, the NATO AWACs had been operating out of Geilenkirchen, in NATO-Germany.

NATO video showing AWACS deploying from Germany to Bucharest, Romania, 17JAN2023:

Photo via NATO, 17JAN2023.

NATO interview with AWACS tactical officer, Belgian Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Denis:

Photo via NATO, 17JAN2023.

NATO also revealed, without giving details, that it has created new multinational battlegroups for its ‘Enhanced Forward Presence’ in countries that border Russia!

Battle for Ukraine: 60+ BRADLEYS DEPLOY!

TaCaMO: E-6B MERCURY, launching nuclear ICBMs from the air

F-15 50th Anniversary: The A-Sat, with some visual tips for the kit builder

ASat=Anti Satellite

Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV) ASM (Anti Satellite Missile)-135A: Two solid-rocket stages (first stage made by Boeing), third rocket stage with telescopic heat seeker known as the Miniature Homing Vehicle, speed of 15-thousand miles per hour.

McDonnell-Douglas F-15A Eagle: F-15 EAGLE NOW 50 YEARS OLD, a quick visual history

Boeing promotional photo dated August 1982. Note, the F-15A in the background is not the F-15A used in the ‘Capture Carry’ part of the ASat testing program.

First ‘capture carry’ flights of F-15A Eagle #76-0086 armed with ASat were in December 1982.

F-15A Eagle armed with the ASM-135A, 21DEC1982. U.S. Air Force photo by H.L. Wilson.

Over Edwards Air Force Base, California, 21DEC1982. U.S. Air Force photo by Al Chang.

Over Edwards AFB, California. Boeing photo released in January 1983.

Model kit builders take note, the ‘fin flash’ on 76-0086 is changed sometime between 1983 and 1985.

ASat equipped Eagle over Vandenberg AFB, California, 03APR1985.
USAF photo by Paul E. Reynolds.

The actual launch of the ASM-135A was done in September 1985, by F-15A #76-0084 first seen in the photo from August 1982.  Model kit builders note that back in August 1982, 76-0084 did not have the fin flash. 

F-15 launches an ASat, somewhere off California’s Pacific Coast. USAF photo by Paul E. Reynolds, 13SEP1985.

In September 1985, a Solwind P78-1 satellite was destroyed by the ASM-135A ASat, launched by F-15A Eagle 76-0084.

Major Wilbert ‘Doug’ Pearson successfully launched the ASM-135A. USAF photo by Paul E. Reynolds, 13SEP1985.

The successful ASat program was canceled in 1988, due to U.S. public concern over the possibility of war in space.  However, that concern seems to have disappeared as the U.S. now has a dedicate military Space Force, co-chaired by the British empire.

Father gives his son some pointers about flying ‘his’ Celestial Eagle. USAF photo by Senior Airman Erik Hofmeyer, 13SEP2007.

In September 2007, an anniversary flight of 76-0084 was arranged, with Major General (retired) Doug Pearson’s son, Captain Todd Pearson (and for those of use in Idaho, this is the Idaho connection), at the controls.  It was then that 76-0084 was dubbed ‘Celestial Eagle’.  Model builders note that it was not named Celestial Eagle at the time of the launch.

USAF photo by Senior Airman Erik Hofmeyer, 13SEP2007.

08MAR2015, USAF Space Systems Command releases this video about the only launch of ASM-135A:

Computer generated scenario of resulting debris field created by an ASat strike.  As you will see by the date code on the video, it was made in 2014, yet the U.S. Air Force didn’t publicly release the video until November 2021:

F-15 50th Anniversary: LAST HURRAH FOR OREGON’S 173RD FW?

SANDMAN’S SWAN SONG?

EAGLE GETS CANNIBALIZED, LEFTOVERS SENT TO THE BONEYARD, NO MORE OREGON EAGLES?

DESERT STORM FIRST BLOOD FOR USAF F-15s, THE NEVER ENDING TAR BABY CALLED IRAQ!

F-15A POLE DANCER, OR WHATEVER HAPPENED TO 72-0113?

Terminator, October 2022: SPACE FORCE JOINS N-A-S-C-A-R!

Idaho invaded by Apaches from Arizona & Singapore?

“The Peace Vanguard detachment has trained all over the United States and Idaho has one of the best training sites in the country.”-Master Sergeant Joel Mann, Arizona Army National Guard

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 26AUG2022.

From July 21st through August 29th, of 2022, Southwestern Idaho was invaded by AH-64D ‘Longbow’ Apaches from the state of Arizona and the tiny British empire member (Commonwealth of Nations) of Republic of Singapore.

Personnel with the Arizona Army National Guard and Singapore Air Force’s Peace Vanguard load rounds into the AH-64’s 30mm Chain Gun, on Idaho National Guard’s Orchard Combat Training Center. Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 26AUG2022.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force has a unit based in Arizona called Peace Vanguard.  They are there to learn how to operate the Longbow from the Arizona Army National Guard.  Part of that training brings them to Idaho’s Orchard Combat Training Center (OCTC) for gunnery.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 26AUG2022.

Idaho is home of a new kind of gunnery range called DAGIR (Digital Air Ground Integrated Range), one of only three in the U.S., which was opened for testing in March 2021, and officially certified for use by AH-64s in March of 2022.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 26AUG2022.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 26AUG2022.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 26AUG2022.

2021: SINGAPORE APACHES TEST IDAHO’S NEW D-A-G-I-R SYSTEM

IDAHO HOME TO FIRST EVER NATIONAL GUARD D-A-G-I-R!

SINGAPORE’S IDAHO BASED SKY PIRATES BOMB LAS VEGAS?

2022: IDAHO NOW PREMIERE SITE FOR WAR-FIGHTER TRAINING! NATIONAL GUARD THE NEW QUICK REACTION FORCE!

Commonwealth of Nations covert invasion of United States: 

WHY IS A P-M OF A BRITISH EMPIRE MEMBER NATION INSPECTING A U.S. MILITARY BASE IN COLORADO?

‘ILLEGAL’ TRUCKS BEING SMUGGLED INTO U.S. FROM CANADA, THRU IDAHO?

“Samuel, notify your men; the British are coming.”-General Oliver Prescott, 19APR1775

F-15 50th Anniversary: Last Hurrah for Oregon’s 173rd FW?

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar.

Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing (FW) trained with U.S. Marines, on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, in California.  But this year might be the last time.

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar, 14AUG2022.

In August 2022, Oregon’s F-15C Eagles (along with 125th FW F-15s out of Florida) played ‘bad guy’ against  USMC F/A-18C/D Hornets from Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101), and the F-35B Lightning-2 from Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 502 (VMFAT-502).

Oregon Air National Guard video report by Staff Sergeant Emily Copeland:

Oregon Air National Guard video interview by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar, 23AUG2022:

Recently, it was revealed that the 173rd has been ordered to get rid of its F-15C Eagles.  That means this year’s deployment to Miramar might be the last, at least with their F-15C Eagles.

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar, 14AUG2022.

For almost 40 years the 173rd FW’s Kingsley Field served as the only F-15C training base for the U.S. Air Force!  But starting in 2024, the 173rd will be using the brand new F-15EX Eagle-2.

Oregon Air National Guard music video, by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar, point of view of an F-15C Crew Chief:

F-15 50th Anniversary: SANDMAN’S SWAN SONG?

F-15 50th Anniversary: Sandman’s Swan Song?

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar, 01MAR2022.

On 01MAR2022, an F-15C Eagle named Sandman took part in a training session with the Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing.

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar, 01MAR2022.

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Jacob T. Stephens, 25JUN2022.

Excerpt from 173rd Fighter Wing’s March 2022 video report, by Major Nikkie Jackson, explaining how Oregon’s F-15 Eagles are a key part of U.S. airspace defense, and revealing that Oregon will be home for the new “Eagle-2” (aka F-15EX):

Sandman flies over Crater Lake, Oregon, along with a restored B-17 Flying Fortress from World War 2. Oregon Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Penny Snoozy, 24JUN2022.

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Penny Snoozy, 24JUN2022.

Then after a five years hiatus, on 24-25JUN2022, Oregon Air National Guard held its Sentry Eagle Open House and Airshow, over Kingsley Field.  Of course, Oregon’s F-15C Eagles were the main attraction, especially the one named Sandman.

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Jacob T. Stephens, 25JUN2022.

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Jacob T. Stephens, 25JUN2022.

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Jacob T. Stephens, 25JUN2022.

USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Jacob T. Stephens, 25JUN2022.

Then, in September 2022, it was officially revealed that Oregon’s Air National Guard was retiring all of its F-15C Eagles!

Quick excerpt from 173rd Fighter Wing video report, by Staff Sergeant Emily Copeland, even though it is dated 09SEP2022, and boasts of how great the F-15C is, it does not mention the 2022-23 retirement of those aircraft:

There will still be Eagles in the air over Oregon, the F-15Cs are being replaced with new build F-15EXs (aka Eagle-2), hopefully starting in 2024.

F-15 50th Anniversary:  EAGLE GETS CANNIBALIZED, LEFTOVERS SENT TO THE BONEYARD, NO MORE OREGON EAGLES?

F-15 50th Anniversary: Eagle gets cannibalized, leftovers sent to the Boneyard, no more Oregon Eagles?

“It died; I say died because that’s how it feels.”-Master Sergeant Charles Fleek, Oregon Air National Guard, talking about tail number 78-0511, one of the lucky F-15Cs that actually flew under its own power to The Boneyard, in April 2022

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar, 01APR2022.

Just a few months before the 50th Anniversary of the first flight what is probably the best combat aircraft ever employed by the U.S. Air Force, the state of Oregon decided to cannibalize one of its F-15Cs.

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar, 01APR2022.

It is no April Fool’s Joke, after stripping the F-15C of usable parts, on 01APR2022, personnel with Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing loaded the worn out Eagle onto a flatbed trailer, to be hauled-off to the ‘Boneyard’ of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, in Arizona.

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar, 01APR2022.

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar, 01APR2022.

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar, 01APR2022.

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar, 01APR2022.

On 13SEP2022, the Oregon Air National Guard revealed that, after 24 years of service, all its F-15C Eagles were on the chopping block!  Not all of them; on 11SEP2022, eight Oregon Eagles were transferred to the Israeli air force, under the guise of Foreign Military Sales (which are usually taxpayer subsidized).

173rd Fighter Wing at Kingsley Field, Klamath Falls, Oregon. Oregon Air National Guard photo via Master Sergeant Jefferson Thompson, 19JUN2018.

In July 2022, tail number 78-0515 was sent to work for NASA (National Aeronautics Space Administration). It is hoped that most of the Eagles will end up with the National Museum of the United States Air Force, for public displays, however, the reality is most will end up in the Boneyard.

David R. Kingsley Memorial, an F-15A is displayed by the 173rd Fighter Wing at Kingsley Field. Oregon Air National Guard photo Master Sergeant Jefferson Thompson, 13APR2018.

Oregon’s 173rd FW has operated the A, B, C and D version of the undefeated-in-combat Eagle.  But wait, it’s not over for Oregon Eagles after all; the retiring F-15Cs are being replaced with the new build F-15EX.

Oregon Eagles:

PANDEMIC OVERFLIGHT, THE SANDMAN ENTERS

 NEW TAIL FEATHERS FOR OREGON EAGLE, B-17 BOMBER STYLE! PLUS, MINI-EAGLE, KAWAII!

Oregon deploys to Finland

F-15 50th Anniversary:  DESERT STORM FIRST BLOOD FOR USAF, THE NEVER ENDING TAR BABY CALLED IRAQ!

F-15 50th Anniversary: Desert Storm First Blood for USAF, the never ending Tar Baby called Iraq!

The first combat use of the F-15 Eagle was by Israel in 1979, followed by Saudi Arabia in 1984.  First combat use of the F-15 by the U.S. Air Force was during Operation Desert Storm, in 1991.

Five months before Desert Storm, the build-up was called Desert Shield. These F-15C Eagles are patrolling the sky over Saudi Arabian oil operations. U.S. Air Force/33rd Tactical Fighter Wing photo.

Desert Shield: 02AUG1990 to 16JAN1991

Somewhere in Saudi Arabia, a 1st Tactical Fighter Wing (out of Virginia) F-15D Eagle waits for a mission during Desert Storm, 23JAN1991. Notice the Patriot missile batteries in the background.

F-15E Strike Eagles waiting for another mission during the last weeks of Desert Storm, 01FEB1991. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Robert Jackson.

A Kuwaiti A-4KU Skyhawk and a USAF 1st Tactical Fighter Wing F-15C Eagle about to take off from an airfield in Saudi Arabia, during the last weeks of Desert Storm, 02FEB1991.

Desert Storm: 17JAN1991 to 28FEB1991

Notice the kill marking on this 58th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-15C. The USAF info says this photo was made during Desert Storm, yet the official date of the photo is December 1991! Photo by Technical Sergeant Fernando Serna.

An F-15C Eagle over the desert during the cease-fire between coalition and Iraqi forces, March 1991. USAF photo.

The USAF info that came with this photo is highly dubious. 1st, it states the photo was made in May 1992, more than a year after Desert Storm, yet claims this F-15C is being prepped for a mission during Desert Storm. 2nd, as you will see in the photo below, this Gulf Spirit does not have the kill markings that were applied after Desert Storm. Possibly this photo was made during Desert Storm, but not released until May 1992? Photo by Senior Airman Chris Putnam.

Kill markings on a F-15C Eagle named Gulf Spirit. The Gulf Spirit had just returned to the U.S. from Desert Storm, May 1991. USAF photo by Don S. Montgomery.

USAF photo by Don S. Montgomery.

After Desert Storm, France, the United States, and United Kingdom, imposed a ‘no fly zone’ over Iraq.  This Operation Southern Watch would last more than a decade, and help the U.S./NATO invade Iraq in 2003.  Even though the invasion was rationalized by the claim of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), which would later be proven false, the invasion of Iraq was dubbed Operation Iraqi Freedom (a major clue that it was not about WMDs). This was followed by Operation Inherent Resolve in 2014, supposedly to fight religious extremism that had taken over Iraq as a result of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Even though Operation Inherent Resolve was declared a success in Iraq, in 2019, U.S./NATO forces continue to operate in Iraq.  This means the taxpayers of U.S./NATO have been funding direct military involvement in Iraqi affairs for more than three decades, and the result the leaders of the so called free world promised has yet to materialize.

For many decades after Desert Storm was declared finished, Eagles would continue to patrol over, and even bomb, Iraq. The relatively new F-15E Strike Eagle somewhere in Saudi Arabia, 20MAY1992. USAF photo.

Southern Watch: 27AUG1992 to 19MAR2003

An F-15C Eagle, normally based in NATO Germany, takes off from Incirlik Air Base in NATO Turkey, for a no-fly-zone mission over Northern Iraq, under the guise of protecting Kurds. USAF photo by Senior Airman Gudrun Cook, May 1995.

Two F-15C Eagles patrol the no fly zone over Southern Iraq, in support of Operation Southern Watch, 14JAN2002. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Jack Braden.

Iraqi Freedom: 20MAR2003 to 15DEC2011

A Washington based KC-135 refuels an Idaho based ‘Bold Tiger’ F-15E for its deployment to Iraq during the first months of Operation Iraqi Freedom, 29DEC2003. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Suzanne M. Jenkins.

A ‘Bold Tiger’ F-15E Strike Eagle (from Mountain Home, Idaho) was one of many Eagles deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Suzanne M. Jenkins, 29DEC2003.

Inherent Resolve: 15JUN2014 to present day 

On 23SEP2014, F-15E Strike Eagles used Iraqi airspace to conduct a dawn airstrike on Syria. USAF photo by Senior Airman Matthew Bruch.

USAF video report by Senior Airman Daniel Asselta, explaining the rational behind deploying F-15s to NATO Turkey to bomb Iraq and Syria, November 2015:

Video by Staff Sergeant Michelle Di Ciolli, of fully armed Idaho based ‘Bold Tiger’ F-15Es, getting refueled over Iraq during Operation Inherent Resolve, 17MAR2016:

An F-15E Strike Eagle somewhere over Iraq 06SEP2017. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Trevor T. McBride.

Night vision video, by Senior Airman Nathaniel Stout, of KC-10 Extender refueling F-15E Strike Eagles over Iraq, December 2017:

An F-15E Strike Eagle gets refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker, somewhere over Iraq, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, 05OCT2018. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Keith James.

On Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, a USAF F-15E gets ‘bombed-up’ with GBU-31 bombs, for an air strike on the Salah ad Din Province of Iraq, 10SEP2019. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Chris Thornbury.

Yet again, another F-15E Strike Eagle gets refueled over Iraq, and even The Pandemic has no affect on military operations. USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Taylor Harrison, 09FEB2021.

Desert Storm:

What is left of a MiG 25. U.S. DoD photo.

AIRCRAFT GRAVEYARD

Cold War & Beyond: F-15A POLE DANCER, OR WHATEVER HAPPENED TO 72-0113?

Cold War to Ukraine Crisis: F-15 EAGLE NOW 50 YEARS OLD