Elmendorf's Eagles return to the skies

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  • By Staff Reports
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Elmendorf F-15C Eagles roared off the runway at about 10:30 a.m. today. It was the first time since being grounded in early November the aircraft was allowed to fly.

Gen. Carrol H. Chandler, Commander of Pacific Air Forces, today ordered return to flying status for a portion of the PACAF F-15 C/D aircraft fleet.

This action follows the Air Force's recommendation for a limited return to flight as a result of engineering risk assessments and data received from eight fleet-wide structural inspections. PACAF inspections are more than 98 percent complete.

The return to fly order and recommendation applies to about 65 percent of the PACAF fleet, those aircraft that have cleared all inspections. For the remaining 35 percent of aircraft, a further analysis of the inspection results is forthcoming by Air Force engineers. Once that analysis is complete, the Air Force will be able to better determine which aircraft will need repair or additional inspections before returning to flight.

The order and recommendation follow more than two months of stand-down actions after an Air National Guard F-15C aircraft experienced catastrophic structural failure and broke apart in flight during a basic fighter maneuver training sortie in Missouri on Nov. 2.

PACAF F-15 pilots have maintained limited air combat proficiency utilizing flight simulators during the stand down. They will regain aircraft qualifications over the next several weeks following a disciplined requalification program to ensure combat ready pilots and safe operations.

"The Pacific is a place of vital interest to our Nation and the F-15 is critical to ensuring peace and security," said Gen. Chandler. "I am confident the F-15s returned to flight meet the same high standards of safety we expect with all Air Force aircraft while performing their mission."