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| US Ready to Celebrate 50th Anniversary of the F-15 Eagle Fighter Jet |
International Military - This year, the F-15 Eagle enters 50 years of service in the US. The Air Force issued a statement on July 15 that to mark the anniversary, celebrations would take place on July 27 at the Boeing plant in St. Louis, where all the F-15s were and are still manufactured.
Quoted from the Eurasian Times, the F-15 Eagle is also referred to as the 'MiG Killer'. This all-weather tactical fighter aircraft is indeed very maneuverable. It was developed to enable the Air Force to establish and maintain air superiority on the battlefield.
On July 27, 1972, the F-15 Eagle conducted its first test flight before finally being operational on January 9, 1976. Since then, the platform's capabilities have been demonstrated which led to the development of the F-15E Strike Eagle. This is a modified version designed to excel in air-to-ground combat and the F-15EX Eagle II, the latest version.
Cesar Rodriguez, a retired colonel who has shot down more MiGs than anyone since the Vietnam War, will also be at the event. On July 29, the F-15 Expo and Eagles banquet meeting will take place at the United States Air Force National Museum.
As is well known, the F-15 has earned its reputation as the champion of the skies in various conflicts and under different Air Forces. He has amassed a record 104 combat victories and zero reported losses. Although several opposing forces claimed to have shot down an F-15, none could provide supporting evidence.
The term "MiG Killer" arose during the Korean War when American P-80 Shooting Stars and F-86 Sabers destroyed countless MiG aircraft. The word was used again during the Gulf War when USAF F-15 units established air superiority early in the conflict.
At that time, the F-15 shot down many MiGs. He also contributed to becoming famous on the battlefield. In addition, the MiG 29 fighter also officially entered service for 40 years. July 2022 marks the 40th year since the Soviet MiG-29 Fulcrum entered service in the Soviet Air Force.
Quoted from Military Watch Magazine, the aircraft is the oldest outside the United States (US) still in production today and one that is still serving in the fleets of two dozen countries.
As is well known, the MiG-29 was one of the four Soviet fourth-generation fighters. It entered service with the Su-24M special fighter aircraft which entered service in 1979 and the MiG-31 Foxhound interceptor in 1981.
However, it predates the Su-27 Flanker which entered service later in 1985. This fighter was developed in parallel with the Su-27 to complement the medium and heavy class aircraft.