F-15EX, Oregon gets them first.

[lihpster]

The first military unit to get the F-15EX took delivery of their first one recently. It went to the Oregon Air Guard. Flying out of Portland, the 142nd Fighter Wing will be getting 18 of them to replace their old C models. I wonder how it feels to fly a 40+ year old aircraft and then suddenly have a brand new similar model to fly? I'll bet there's some happy flyboys tonight.

 

[lihpster]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGCUZW7CdXM[/ame]

 

[LVSteve]

The flyboys might be happy, but I'm less sure about station commanders. RAF guy told me about 20 years ago that station commanders like to see new types circulating through, like their predecessors did back in the day. Never mind that the current type with upgrades does 95% of the latest whizz-bang kite with 100% better reliability, those guys want a new shape to admire on their* station.



*Told to me by a RAF enlisted guy. All stations belong to the appointed Station Warrant Officer. The O6 is just there to look good in a uniform covered in spaghetti.

 

[SMSgt]

That the first planes off the line went directly to an ANG unit says a lot about what the Air Force thinks of it.

 

[lihpster]

The O6 is just there to look good in a uniform covered in spaghetti.

It's a 2 seater, so, depending on what was served in the mess hall, we might be able to make that happen.

 

[CH4]

I wonder if it has the “new jet” smell…

 

[LVSteve]

That the first planes off the line went directly to an ANG unit says a lot about what the Air Force thinks of it.

See my comment above. It doesn't come with a sexy new look, so many will turn up their nose about it. The ANG getting it first doesn't bother me as they shoulder much of the responsibility for the defense of US soil already. These new F-15s replace the lifed out examples that were probably hand-me-downs from the USAF.

In my opinion the current USAF F-15 fleet has probably been run into the ground because of worldwide operations. There likely isn't enough life left in the airframes to make giving them to ANG units worthwhile.

The big issue with the F-15EX is that it may well turn out to be a success when, politically, it is the F-35 that should be moving forward. The F-35 has run into fundamental issues like insufficient bleed air for cooling the next planned upgrades. Dig around The War Zone website if you want to know more details, but a USAF guy said out loud that it was underspecced from the git-go.

For sure the F-35 is still way more capable for many missions than the F-16. But the F-15EX has longer legs, podded targeting systems that are probably nearly as good as the built in stuff on the F-35, can carry more stuff, and has a guy in back to help with the workload, especially useful if the USAF gets its Loyal Wingman drone program going.

 

[lihpster]

I, as one who literally sleeps under the blanket of protection they provide, am damn glad that our boys will have a new and better plane to complete their missions. After all, I live on the coast closest to both Russia and China. I'd throw in NK, but they'd be lucky to get a poop filled balloon here.

 

[Rudi]

I hope to see them fly by on the 4th of July!

 

[Kanewpadle]

That the first planes off the line went directly to an ANG unit says a lot about what the Air Force thinks of it.

Makes sense to me. A lot of sense.

We have F-22 at forward alert sites operated by active duty Air Force. But it’s not needed at a guard unit.

Can you image the time and money it would take to train reservists on a new aircraft?

They already know the F-15. They may need additional training but not much.

The EX is more than capable in its role as an interceptor first, dog fighter second.

At least it’s not an F-4!

 

[Smith & Hammer]

The first military unit to get the F-15EX took delivery of their first one recently. It went to the Oregon Air Guard. Flying out of Portland, the 142nd Fighter Wing will be getting 18 of them to replace their old C models. I wonder how it feels to fly a 40+ year old aircraft and then suddenly have a brand new similar model to fly? I'll bet there's some happy flyboys tonight.

were neighbors! I live near their base here in PDX. they do their landing maneuvers right over my house, I love it. saw the story on local news and saw that these new F-15E's are now dual person cockpits now. haven't seen any flying over the house yet.

 

[Retired W4]

Congratulations to the 142nd FW. Now if National Guard Bureau in DC can keep from messing the program up. The folks at PDX seem to have a handle on things and transitioning to the new 2 seater with new systems should be pretty exciting for them. The days of Reserve Component units getting the Active Component cast away equipment is over, in most parts.

The 142nd will have to find some WIZZO's (Weapon System Officers) now. Have fun Pulling those G's.

I will reserve comment on the F-35.

 

[Engineer1911]

A new production, upgraded aircraft will be a tech order changes nightmare for the maintenance organization. I went through that joy in 1972 at Plattsburgh AFB, NY. Mechanical issues won't be high numbers, but electronic issues / fixes lasted past my departure to Thailand.

 

[LVSteve]

A new production, upgraded aircraft will be a tech order changes nightmare for the maintenance organization. I went through that joy in 1972 at Plattsburgh AFB, NY. Mechanical issues won't be high numbers, but electronic issues / fixes lasted past my departure to Thailand.

They are already there with the F-35 if you look at how many updates they have had so far.