Lakenheath F-15 down, North Sea
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F15C's, F15D's and F15E's all fly out of Lakenheath.
The E's are the 492nd and 494th Fighter Squadrons (Mad Hatters, Panthers). The C's and D's are the 493rd Fighter Squadron (Grim Reapers).
48 USAF F35A's are scheduled to arrive in Q4 2021 at Lakenheath, there's been a lot of construction recently to support their arrival.
Lakenheath F15's routinely (as in, every day) train over my part of the country, but today there were a pair of RAF Eurofighters instead. I suppose the F15s may be grounded for the moment while they work out what happened.
Good piece on Forces Net News, including words from John Sneller of Janes.
https://www.forces.net/news/f-15-pil...ash-identified
airsound
https://www.forces.net/news/f-15-pil...ash-identified
airsound
Hmm.
He declared the sortie routine, but he doesn't actually know what the profile was or what they were doing.
He also talks about structural upgrades to increase the fatigue life of the wing/wing box, but the F-15C has had none of the kind he refers to.
In fact, there is a known failure mode caused by control surface delamination on the F-15 (honeycomb structure in the stabs), and some years back one was lost when the nose section broke from the main fuselage.
Finally, the last F-15C (x2) to have a Class A in the UK were at low level, which sort of contradicts his assertion that they only fly up high and on interception duties.
I am sure he's a very knowledgeable guy, but I didn't get the sense that he knows much about the Eagle.
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Good piece on Forces Net News, including words from John Sneller of Janes.
https://www.forces.net/news/f-15-pil...ash-identified
airsound
https://www.forces.net/news/f-15-pil...ash-identified
airsound
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Ewan Whosearmy and Homelover - I know that PPRuNers can’t abide anyone described as an expert, but d’you not think you’re being a bit harsh on John Sneller? He is, after all, the Head of Aviation at Janes. I don’t know about you, but Janes has always been something of a bible in the aviation world to me.
So “he clearly knows nothing” - really?
He “declared the sortie routine, but he doesn’t actually know what the profile was”. I guess he was just quoting the words of the news release from the 48th Wing Public Affairs office.
“…the last F-15C (x2) to have a Class A in the UK were at low level.” I don’t dispute that, but, as the 48th Wing website says, the task of the 493rd Squadron, the only USAF F-15C/D unit in Europe, is air superiority and air defence, which suggests mostly high level, rather than low, operations.
Cut him some slack?
airsound
So “he clearly knows nothing” - really?
He “declared the sortie routine, but he doesn’t actually know what the profile was”. I guess he was just quoting the words of the news release from the 48th Wing Public Affairs office.
“…the last F-15C (x2) to have a Class A in the UK were at low level.” I don’t dispute that, but, as the 48th Wing website says, the task of the 493rd Squadron, the only USAF F-15C/D unit in Europe, is air superiority and air defence, which suggests mostly high level, rather than low, operations.
Cut him some slack?
airsound
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Lots of fighters have ended up on the sea bed off Flamborough and I know of 3 similar losses and this F15 might make a 4th.
I am a former aerospace journalist, not mil aircrew. Having been asked in the past to give interviews on air accidents, I have declined... precisely because I am *not* an expert.
So, if Janes wants to put someone on camera to act as an expert, they'd bloody better know what they're talking about.
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Airsound. What Ewan said.
Monty Niveau. Those ‘real experts’ don’t make themselves available because they aren’t concerned with getting their 5 minutes of fame. They know that in the event of an event like this it’s better not to speculate.
Monty Niveau. Those ‘real experts’ don’t make themselves available because they aren’t concerned with getting their 5 minutes of fame. They know that in the event of an event like this it’s better not to speculate.
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While I’m picky (BBC, reputable broadsheets both sides of the Atlantic), and I have the benefit of plentiful media training and previous professional experience, I have found no problem in saying true and meaningful things, while avoiding speculation, on the occasions I’ve engaged. That has kept the ‘usual suspects’ off those particulars stages, at least on the concerned topics, and I have felt the whole engagement satisfactory. It has also led to ‘long read’ involvements which have been very satisfying (MCAS, for example), where I have been able to put a true professional pilot’s perspective on a complex issue. Very few do this, but many snipe from the sidelines while staying under cover with their safety ‘on’.
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By the way, I apologise for the thread drift. This media issue arises every time ‘a thing’ happens. My dialogue is not in any way meant to detract from the tragedy of the death of a professional airman in the course of his duties, or its impact on those around him, and I offer my profound condolences to all affected.
When I was in training, a very knowledgeable Warrant Officer told us to be wary of 'experts'.
Because : EX = has been & (S)PERT = drip under pressure.
Met many in my career both in and out of the R.A.F.. He was right.
Because : EX = has been & (S)PERT = drip under pressure.
Met many in my career both in and out of the R.A.F.. He was right.
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The 'Missing Man' flypast: A contribution to Military Ceremonial that our American Allies can be justifiably proud... Always stirs the emotions. Condolences to the entire Lakenheath team - and the family in particular, of course.
Accident Report : Pilot Error
Last edited by jumpseater; 24th Nov 2020 at 08:09.