The Strike Eagles of the 48th Fighter Wing were painted in Heritage liveries with D-Day Invasion stripes.
On June 9, 2019 the world commemorated the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. Starting from June 6, world leaders, veterans and civilians rendered their homage to all who fought during D-Day. The U.S. Air Force 48th Fighter Wing sent its F-15s to perform a flypast during the re-enactment of the airborne assault over Sainte-Mere-Eglise, France, flying top cover for C-130s and restored C-47s that dropped more than 1100 paratroopers, both active duty militaries and civilian volunteers.
F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing overfly Isle of Wight while on their way to Normandy, France in support of the 75th anniversary of D-Day June 9, 2019. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)
The three special color F-15s, one for each Squadron assigned to the 48th F.W., were unveiled at the beginning of this year in preparation of the celebrations for D-Day. The planes were painted in the same colors of the P-47s used by the Wing during World War II, with a checkered pattern on the nose and invasion stripes on the wings.
F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing conduct in-flight refuelling over the English channel with a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing in support of the 75th anniversary of D-Day June 9, 2019. An epic multinational operation, D-Day forged partnerships and reinforces trans-Atlantic bonds that remain to this day. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Matthew Plew)
The formation which took part in the flypast was composed by three F-15E, of which two were the special colors, and one F-15C. Interestingly, the special color F-15C belonging to the 493rd Fighter Squadron didn’t take part in the event, according to the photos, but took part in the missing man formation on June 6.
F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing climb out after their flypast over Normandy, France in support of the 75th anniversary of D-Day June 9, 2019. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)
The photos you can see in this post were released by the 48th F.W. Public Affairs on Facebook and Twitter in the days following the D-Day anniversary.
Here’s an interesting video too:
