Strike Eagles surpass 8,000 combat hours, support unique missions

Published Aug. 29, 2009
By Capt. David Faggard
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Airmen from the 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron achieved a major combat milestone here when they surpassed 8,000 combat hours in the F-15E Strike Eagle while providing security to Coalition forces.

The aircrew for the mission included Capt. Jaina Donberg, F-15E pilot and a native of Arlington, Va., as well as Capt. Nick Foster, an F-15E weapons system officer and a native of Martinsburg, W.V. Launching the mission was F-15E crew chief, Senior Airman John Yates, a native of Pawtucket, Rhode Island and six-year-veteran of the F-15 C and E family.

The crews provided security for a helicopter re-supply point that night and even coordinated communications between the helicopters and Coalition forces on the ground due the area's harsh terrain, according to Captain Foster.

"This re-supply was important because the only way to re-supply was via air because the roads were too hostile and rugged to move a convoy," said Capt. Foster.

"Everything went smooth," said Airman Yates, who is just three years older than this airplane. He said he just wanted to launch the mission and help save lives. "We try to give them [aircrew] a jet they don't have to worry about; they need to focus on the mission and save the lives of our people on the ground."

"This really is their [the Maintenance Squadron's] record," said Captain Foster. "They have done an outstanding job producing the jets for us in a less than ideal environment. All the credit is due to them for the great work... [which] allows us to support the ground commander and perform our mission. For every hour flown there are countless hours of work done by our maintainers to get the jets back in the air."

Other F-15E missions here include anything from providing close air support for Coalition forces on the ground in contact with the enemy, to supporting the recent Afghan elections on Aug. 20.

One of these missions, according to officials at the Air Force's Combined Air and Space Operation's Center, was when F-15Es provided security to a convoy transporting election ballots from polling precincts to counting houses.

Coalition forces on the ground reported taking sniper fire, rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire from various positions along the route. Airmen used similar F-15E Strike Eagles to hit the enemy positions with strafing runs and precision guided munitions stopping the attack. The ballots were successfully delivered, according to the officials.

And the work done by the F-15E squadron in the sky is noticed by the ground forces. There have been many occasions where maintainers and aircrew were thanked by Soldiers on base for their work keeping the jets in the sky, according to Airman Yates.

"There have been times when they [soldiers] come up and say 'you guys saved our lives.' That's a great feeling," said Airman Yates.

"336th pilots and WSOs never doubt that these jets are ready for prime time," said Lt. Col. Neil Allen 336th EFS commander. "They are safe, tactical, and ready for the mission, each and every day, no matter what. More importantly, the American and Coalition heroes on the ground who count on the air component know that the F-15Es and other Air Force assets are ready for the fight. This truth is a testament to the men and women who keep these assets flying."

The 336th EFS is deployed form Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.

Editor's Note: Exact details of the missions have been omitted for security reasons.