The typical 24 approach shot into Lakenheath. F-15C 86-0156 is also typical of the configuration flown by the 493rd FS jets. The usual central fuel tank has been dropped (not literally!) in favour of the wing stations.

86-0160 also shows the configuration, completed by AIM-120 and AIM-9X drill rounds on the left wing station.

Finishing off with the stores, the right pylon (right side) is fitted with the recently added exercise data link pod. That's just about everything the well equipped F-15C flies with on routine training from Lakenheath!

Straight on side shot at Lakenheath. Many of these end up with the top of a bus or truck at the bottom as the Brandon road is just outside the fence.

My favourite angle, but only worth going for with a low sun to bring out the underside. Not quite sure what the centre mounted pod is yet; best guess is ECM training equipment but am open to offers?

A pair of 493rd F-15Cs in the overhead. When first deployed in the early 70's, the F-15 was nicknamed, 'The flying tennis court' due to it's large size for a fighter.

84-0044 is one of two F-15D's on the 493rd FS's strength. On friday afternoons these two jet's will often take non-aircrew up for a reward flight. Unsuprisingly, I'm told the RAF do not have a similar incentive programme!

The F-15E is flown by the other two squadrons within the 48th FW. This jet is from one of the last batches delivered to the USAF, being part of the 2000 fiscal year order.

Red fin flash and the Black Panther badge on the intake show this E model is assigned to the 494th FS.

Not as hard as you might think to get this, just steady nerves and patience!

The best of the nose on shots to date. This one actually made it onto airliners.net, which, trust me, is not easy! Informed feedback from a couple of USAF pilots has the left hand engine shut down due to the position of the nozzle. I didn't notice this at the time as I may have thought rather differently about standing under a F-15 on one engine!

Four ship of F-15E 'mud hens' over the top.

Not a easy shot as the camera's autofocus has trouble catching the split second before the jet goes behind the fence.

After the nose on angle - and if quick enough - you can try the stern shot. This is far more difficult, as it's shooting towards the sun late in the afternoon.

The cleaner F-15C from the underside. Recently I dropped the camera and ran for it when somebody got it wrong and was far, far to low - good job no double decker on the road behind me!

Taken on the 23rd of December, the last flying day before Christmas, the weather was awful so went for some unusual angles.

Somebody was enjoying themselves prior to Christmas!

Nose wheel comes up as the jet goes around. Looks like this jet has flown some live missions during deployments with the various LGB symbols on the nose.

Another stern quarter taken in terrible weather two days before Christmas. With some editing the images are still reasonable.

Unlike the RAF, the USAF fly inbetween Christmas and New Year. Not seen is the couple of inchs of snow on the ground. Supposedly going to Ramstein in Germany, this jet came back with a fault that required the emergency equipment out on the field. Thanks to Tom McGhee for the use of his far superior lenses!

F-15C devoid of any fuel tanks.

The back end of an F-15C on the 24 approach into Lakenheath.

Caught on the break into the circuit at lakenheath, this F-15D is pulling condensation from it's upper surfaces.

Same jet a few moments later during the Eagles final approach.

Also caught in the overhead pulling wingtip vortices as the pilot pulls a tight break.

86-0167 caught at the more usual angle for the Lakenheath approach.

And from the rear quarter. Late afternoon winter sunlight can throw up some nice colours.

Another jet showing some nice reflections.

Not to common, but a pairs approach. One jet (usually the far one) will overshoot.

Routine image of a 493rd FS jet. Notice the pilot is wearing the new helmet sight associated with the AIM-9X carried under the wing. The missiles seeker head will cue to where the pilot looks.

As another jet passes, the sun reflects of the different colours and surfaces....

.....enhanced further as the camera pans with the aircraft.

493rd FS marked jet in afterburner on runway 24.

These were taken from the car park viewing area through the fence.

Fitted with twin tanks, this jet will take some time to rotate.

Two 492nd Eagles side by side on the runway.

First jet rolling.

84-0001 was the first upgraded C model jet delivered to the USAF. Part of the radar warning reciever appears to be missing at the tip of the left fin!

Two F-15Cs on the break into the circuit

86-0178 is from the final batch of C/D models delivered to the USAF.

KC-135R from the 100th ARW based next door at Mildenhall - they can often be seen on the circuit at Lakenheath.

F-15E's carry the AIM-120 on the outboard rail which is the opposite configuration to the F-15C.

A new favourite. Shot on a borrowed 300mm fixed lens, this F-15E is caught while rolling out onto final approach.

Also shot from right under the approach.

Actually shot through the fence and over the airfield.

Seconds from touchdown....

..... and down.

F-15E with the airbrake deployed.

Friday mornings at Lakenheath can be fairly rewarding. It's not often you see a midget for a WSO!

A few seconds later and the same jet. Not quite sure whats the matter with the WSO.

91-0318 is a 494th FS jet and is one of the original batch assigned to the 48th FW in 1992/3.

Another attempt at the overhead break.

96-0204 is from one of the later batchs delivered - although looking at the state of it you wouldn't believe it!

98-0133 with tanks fitted.

91-0605 has swapped squadrons since being at Lakenheath. Originally with the 494th FS, it has recently gone blue with the 492nd.

91-0301 on the approach. Showing a blue fin stripe for the 492nd FS, the aircraft is in a fairly clean condition.

The first of three Tucano's that dropped into Lakenheath in May.

it looks like several Tucano's are acquiring names on the forward fuselage.

I thought at first these were the three Tucano's heading home from the Southend airshow the previous weekend but they turned out to be three different aircraft.

While walking down the field to wait for the ANG F-15s I managed to catch this 492nd jet while still in a slight bank.

The only decent picture taken with some sun that day. The bright Eagle looks unusual against a dark sky.

These really are not the best pictures I have ever taken. The subject matter more that makes up for it though! The lead jet of a flight of six Oregon Air National Guard F-15C/Ds staging through Lakenheath enroute to Bulgaria for a exercise.

Callsign 'Mazda 61-66' all showed the more flamboyant tail markings that ANG units favour over regular USAF tail codes.

After crossing the Atlantic with two tankers the six F-15s arrived after eight in a dark and stormy eveniing.

Three tanks and AIM-120 training rounds is a common ferry fit.

ANG detachments probably pass through Lakenheath a few times a year and are usually F-16s. Eagles are very rare indeed.

The two seat D model that accompanyed the Cs. It's only recently that the Guard has started to retire A/B models for newer C/Ds.

First visit back to Lakenheath in June was teh following week after the ANG Eagles passed through. 91-0310 on the usual approach.

The 48th Fighter Wings marked jet. This has proved to be rather elusive to my camera in recent times. Shows the wings three squadron badges, multi colour fin stripe and finally the 9/11 'Lets Roll' insigna on the nose that all USAF units have applied to one aircraft since 2001.

Partially in shadow but worth the walk into Thetford Forest to try and catch a jet on the bank onto approach.

Also from the same spot - the 494th FS's marked jet passing overhead.

Didn't see this as I took it, but 97-0219 is carrying live ordnance - six Mk82 AIR 500lb 'dumb' bombs. Poor conditions at the range in Scotland required the bombs to be brought back.

One of my favourite angles. Unusually, there's no serial on the nose wheel door.

Taken right down the 24 approach at Lakenheath. This is the wings 'boss' jet returning from it's second mission of the day.

Two 'Black Panther's' on the break over Lakenheath. Lead jet pulls some vapour as it turns.

492nd FS's lead jet coming out of Lakenheath and heading for the Farnborough trade show on a friday morning....

....followed by one from the 493rd.

July 2006 and the high morning sun causes harsh shadows.

00-3000 is one of the very last F-15's delivered to the USAF.

Just visible under the fuselage is the latest generation of targetting pod that is now operational with the 494th FS.