The 493rd Fighter Squadron and its F-15C Eagles depart Europe

A fixture of US air defence in Europe for more than a generation, the departure of the Grim Reapers’ F-15 fighters marks the end of an era. Bob Archer reports “In recent years, Lakenheath has permitted pilots to enjoy ‘Free Fly Friday’ where they could demonstrate ‘sporty’ departures”. Celebrating the retirement of the air superiority role by the USAF in Europe after 45 years, F-15C 86-0172 departs Lakenheath on April 21, 2022 for the final operational sortie. The two hour