SPECTACULAR F-15 STRIKE EAGLE & F-35 LIGHTNING MIXED FOUR-SHIP FORMATION RAF MILDENHALL

A spectacular mixed flight of F-15E Strike Eagle and F-35 Lightning II over RAF Mildenhall that were on initial to break for runway 06 at RAF Lakenheath.
RAF Lakenheath is the home of the 48th Fighter Wing and home to four combat ready fighter squadrons; 492nd FS, 493rd FS, 494th FS and the recently reactivated 'Valkyries', the 495th Fighter Squadron. It may carry the title RAF but it is a USAF base. This is because the base was originally built for and operated by the Royal Air Force in 1940. The airfield started life out as decoy airfield (Q-site) to RAF Mildenhall, which is about 5.5 miles the way the backwards crow flies. RAF Mildenhall was an established bomber station built in 1934 and to protect it, Lakenheath was chosen to become a decoy, to take any attacks. However, things changes and it was decided that RAF Lakenheath would become a satellite station to Mildenhall.
Lakenheath was home to 20 OTU with Wellington Bombers, 149 Squadron with their Short Sterling Bombers who were also joined later by 199 Squadron. After WWII, and from 1948, it then became home to the USAF's 307th Bombardment Group and also the 2d Bombardment Group.
On the 15th January 1941, the US Army Air Corps activated the 48th Bombardment Group (Light). During WW2, the 492d, 493d and 494th Fighters Squadrons were trained and were significantly involved in the Normandy Landings, Operation Overlord and the Invasion of France. Their combat sorties involved bombings raids over bridges, railway lines and carried out reconnaissance missions. It was on the 10th July 1952, the Oklahoma Air National Guard 137th Fighter-Bomber Wing at Chaumont-Semoutiers Air Base, France was redesignated as the 48th Fighter-Bomber Wing.
The Statue of Liberty was actually made near the base and the Mayor of the town gave a ceremonial name to the base as the "Statue of Liberty Wing". The 48th Fighter Wing is the only Wing in the USAF to have a number and a name!
It wasn't until 15th January 1960 that the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing made Lakenehath their new home. LR, LS and LT were the tail codes for the base with the F-100's but when they transitioned to the Phantom, a temporary tail code of LK was introduced until a few months later it changed once more to LN, which is active today.
In 1977 a fourth squadron joined Lakenheath's 48th, the 495th Tactical Fighter Squadron. They were known as the "Thundervarks" flying the F-111's. However, they deactivated in 1991. They also sported the green tail flash.
In 1991, The 48th Tactical Fighter Wing was redesignated as the 48th Fighter Wing. This included the 'Tactical' title being dropped on the squadrons too. The 495th disbanded with the retirement of the F-111 in that year but returned 30 years later in 2021 with the F-35A.
#f35 #f15 #runway #lakenheath #raflakenheath #usaf #usafe #fighterpilot #awesome #tedconingsby #trending #lookatthis #oohyeah aviation #usaf #trending #number1 #best #fun #armedforces #livestream #runway #top #sendit
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[@whip689]

Is that Juggernaut or what?
The payload and battle management capabilities of that formation would truly be formidable.

[@wired_0402]

Oh my days… talk about sending a message, if this lot were coming to ‘speak’ to you… you’d be terrified. We (very) occasionally get them flying down the glen, always in 2’s and always on a sunny day, and the noise! Dead jealous and thanks for posting!

[@TedConingsby]

The message is train hard to be the best

[@roypowell3450]

Lovely job! Happy July 4th to all at Lakenheath & Mildenhall.👍

[@TedConingsby]

Happy 4th July Lakenheath 🇺🇸🗽

[@ellesee7079]

Piloting skills on full show! Love the breaks - perfectly timed.
Great capture Ted and Nikos, and nice to see that blue sky again!

[@TedConingsby]

Proper good Ellesee Oii Oii

[@Dex_The_Paladin]

I love a good formation run & break ... The bigger the better.
Great capture Nikos 👏

[@TedConingsby]

Oii oiii Dex thanks man

[@jonathancsmelko2361]

Thanks for the video

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii you’re most welcome

[@lindafullerton4191]

In perfect harmony amazing.

[@TedConingsby]

Ooohh yeah

[@colinpattison220]

Great captures Ted & Nikos once again, and against that lovely blue sky

[@TedConingsby]

Thanks Colin

[@douglas_brighty_tan127]

Pretty stunning to capture a footage of the F-35A and F-15E in a 4 ship formation nicely stacked !!!😊

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii thank you very much

[@douglas_brighty_tan127]

@@TedConingsby Wohoo most welcome Ted !!! 😎😎

[@christianholzl1258]

Banking turn enthusiast ❤ Gotta say, your work's been killer, man. Much appreciated!

[@TedConingsby]

Thanks Christian

[@annieg5487]

Tedtastic sight pic a mix in the sky thank Ted and Nicos pawsome

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii Annie thank you

[@juliebeard880]

Well captured

[@TedConingsby]

Thanks Julie

[@johnielnelmidatablang2930]

Beautiful 😍

[@TedConingsby]

Oohh yeah

[@DanielWalker67]

My word, Ted, you did capture the greatest of formation flying. Mixed flight of F35 & F15s is magic. Thank goodness for Ted and Nikos always out and about watching and waiting. Tremendous Thursday am viewing

[@TedConingsby]

Oiii oiii Dan

[@margobaxter8344]

what a superb video clip! Incredible formation four & that sky! I always think, if we had a yard stick & measured them, reckon they would be totally equidistant!? 🤔. Brilliant ❤

[@TedConingsby]

Oii oiii Margo thank you very much

[@Pipkins0263]

0:05 😂

[@daveysurt8803]

Fantastic footage again Ted and Nikos ❤️🫡 Just love ❤️ LN

[@TedConingsby]

Oii oiii Davey thanks man 🤙🏼

[@user-mh1bz4mw2c]

💞🌍👌👍💝😍😙😉👍👍

[@fredtedstedman]

RIAT this year guys ??

[@TedConingsby]

Just planning this in

[@wcy-5795]

❤

[@TedConingsby]

Oohhh yeah

[@beepeeify]

[@TedConingsby]

Ooohhhh yeah