The Eagles have arrived in Iceland.
Beginning on Apr. 1, 12 F-15C Eagles belonging to the 131st Fighter Squadron, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts, and the 194th Fighter Squadron, Fresno Air National Guard Base, California, have deployed to Europe as part of the latest iteration of a Theater Security Package (TSP).
The 6-month tour in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve aims to augment the Air Force presence in a specific region, for deterrence purposes.
Whilst 8 of the F-15s went to Leeuwarden Air Base, Netherlands from where they will also take part in Exercise Frisian Flag, four Eagles deployed to Keflavik, Iceland, to undertake air policing duties in support of NATO: using radio callsign “Kubid 61-62-63-64”, the jets arrived late on Apr. 3, supported by a KC-10 tanker “Bobby 61.”
As done by the TSPs last year, during their six months in theater, the F-15s will also forward deploy to other NATO and partner nations to include Bulgaria, Estonia and Romania.
Image credit: Eggert Norðdahl