494th Fighter Squadron Panthers

Schedule

494th trains regularly on weekdays, and either participates in joint operations or hosts their own missions on Saturdays. Weekday training sessions last approximately 2 hours.

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• Tuesdays, 2030 EST

• Thursdays, 2030 EST

• Saturdays, 2000 EST

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Mission & Backgroud

The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. An array of avionics and electronics systems gives the F-15E the capability to fight at low altitude, day or night and in all weather.

It was the first U.S. operational aircraft whose engines' thrust exceeded the plane's loaded weight, permitting it to accelerate even while in vertical climb. Low-wing loading (the ratio of aircraft weight to its wing area) is a vital factor in maneuverability and, combined with the high thrust-to-weight ratio, enables the aircraft to turn tightly without losing airspeed.

The first production model of the F-15E was delivered to the 405th Tactical Training Wing, Luke AFB, Arizona, in April 1988.

Always Improving

We don't claim to be perfectly executing all aspects of real world tactics and procedures like the real 494th Fighter Squadron but all of our members have a common understanding. We all continuously push ourselves and each other to that next level. Once we feel that we've mastered one element of the F-15E, we look for the next piece to focus on and improve, never settling for good enough.