U.S. Department of Defense

F-15s Take to the Air Again

Pilots walk to their F-15A Eagles Jan. 9, 2008, at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, to begin currency training after Air Combat Command cleared the planes for flight. The pilots, from the 199th Fighter Squadron, 154th Wing, Hawaii Air National Guard, have not flown since the Air Force grounded their F-15 fleet Nov. 3, 2007.

Air Force Capt. Philip “Buddah” Mallory climbs into his F-15A Eagle Jan. 9, 2008, at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, to begin flying for his currency training.

Air Force Capt. Philip “Buddah” Mallory settles into his F-15A Eagle cockpit Jan. 9, 2008, at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, to begin flying for his currency training.

A weapons loader marshals an F-15A Eagle into position Jan. 9, 2008, at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

An F-15A Eagle takes off Jan. 9, 2008, from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

An F-15A Eagle returns to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, Jan. 9, 2008, after flying a mission for currency. The F-15s, from the 199th Fighter Squadron, 154th Wing, Hawaii Air National Guard, have not flown since the Air Force grounded their F-15 fleet Nov. 3, 2007. Air Combat Command cleared a portion of its F-15 A-D models to begin flying.

An F-15A Eagle returns to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, Jan. 9, 2008, after flying a mission for currency.

Maj. James “Saw” Sage gets down from his F-15A Eagle Jan. 9, 2008, at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, after flying a training mission for currency.

Pilots walk to their F-15A Eagles Jan. 9, 2008, at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, to begin currency training after Air Combat Command cleared the planes for flight. The pilots, from the 199th Fighter Squadron, 154th Wing, Hawaii Air National Guard, have not flown since the Air Force grounded their F-15 fleet Nov. 3, 2007.
U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo