THIS HAS TO BE THE BEST EVER F-15E STRIKE EAGLE LOW APPROACH? • 48TH FIGHTER WING RAF LAKENHEATH

The Ted Coningsby channel have seen many low approaches and circuits during our shows, but now and again, there is one that stands out. The first low approach in the video absolutely silenced everyone in the car park. It was the talk of the day. The F-15E Strike Eagle was flown by a 494th Fighter Squadron "Panthers" pilot.

What is a Low Approach?
It is a when an aircraft will approach the runway at a low altitude (minimum altitude specified by ATC) and will pass low and go around. It is sometimes referred to as a low pass, and is essentially a go-around manoeuvre following an approach. Instead of touching down, a pilot may wish to go-around without touching down in order to expedite a particular operation.

Why do fighter jets carry out a Low Approach?
Well, practice can make perfect but can also burn fuel too. But, this manoeuvre can be useful in combat or if there is an issue with the runway. In combat, many aircraft will operate at altitudes as low as 100 feet and at high airspeeds to defeat ground missile radars and avoid sophisticated surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artillery, and enemy fighters. On a more day to day scenario, there could be a last minute emergency on the runway. It could also be used a reconnaissance too.

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.

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