LIVE US AIR FORCE F-15 & F-35 ACTION 48TH FIGHTER WING • RAF LAKENHEATH 03.05.24

Join us live from the Viewing Area at RAF Lakenheath, a USAF base which is home to the 48th Fighter Wing. RAF Lakenheath might carry the name RAF, but it is a USAFE base and home to four combat ready fighter squadrons under its wing. The base is home to the birth of 'SKIM THE FENCE' and 'SKIM THE VAN' where the F-15E Strike Eagles and F-35A Lightning pilots like to show us all how it's done.
Scenes
00:00:58 Intro
00:04:00 Opening guard’s march + USAF style one
00:04:53 Opening presentation
00:24:59 F-15 - wave 1 departing
00:44:26 Presentation - RAF Lakenheath history
01:12:14 F-15 - wave 1 returning (34 min.)
01:13:45 Presentation - Fweeeeep! + F-35 versions Explained
01:19:06 Back after camera restart
01:44:43 F-15 emergency landing w/ arrestor cable
02:11:29 Land based v carrier aircraft
02:21:26 Presentation - 50k subscribers!
02:25:06 F-35 - wave 1 departing
03:07:29 3x F-35 landing
03:20:29 Outro
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.
RAF 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.
However during WW2, the 48th wasn't even founded. 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 fighter squadrons being redesignated the 492d, 493d, and 494th respectively, the 58 F-84Gs and support aircraft of the ANG were assigned to the 48th Fighter-Bomber Group under the Hobson Plan. To this day, the 492d, 493d and the 494th Fighter Squadrons still serve under the 48th FW today! Further more, 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.
#f35 #f15 #runway #lakenheath #raflakenheath #usaf #usafe #fighterpilot #awesome #tedconingsby #trending #lookatthis #oohyeah aviation #usaf #trending #number1 #best #fun #armedforces #livestream #runway #top #sendit
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[@garryjackson403]

50k Wow what an extraordinary achievement. Thoroughly deserved for all those long days and nights filming and travelling around the UK for our enjoyment. Thank you Nikos, Ted and crew

[@TedConingsby]

Oii oiii Garry thank you so much. What a ride it’s been and thanks also for being a valued member ooohhh yeah

[@sie50]

An emotional day in more ways than one, but worth a bit of "wet" rain to get that well deserved 50k subscribers. Thanks to you Nikos, Claire-Bear and the supporting cast of bears for all you do. And a MASSIVE shout out to the unsung heroes in Spanner flight for all you do keeping it sweet and neat!. Here's to an amazing airshow season and the next 50k subscribers.

[@TedConingsby]

Oiii oiii Sie thank you so much. What a journey it’s been and although the weather was emotional, we were determined to bring a show. Through Storms literally and what a day it was. Loved every minute and thank you so much for the support. Your membership is valued much to our channel and also would like to say another thank you for highlighting the SF who do a brilliant job to keep the channel chat content sweet n neat oooohhh yeah

[@Coningsbyman]

Congratulations nikos ted claire and kim on 50k very very well done all the lovein the world coming to you all from. me and debbie your coningsby family god bless xx

[@TedConingsby]

Oiii oiii Garry thank you so much. Regards to you and Debbie. See you soon at TED HQ

[@timlowe7289]

Thanks

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii Tim 🤙🏼Thank you so much for the super thanks

[@debbiebrooks2716]

50,000 subscribers magnificent well done Ted, Nikos and Clare Bear. And to happen during the very emotional weather at Lakenheath was rather something special shame that we did not get to see many F15's and F35's take off and land. We did experience an emergency landing which did come to a successful conclusion well done to the emergency crews and the F15 pilot and crew member. An amazing start to the May day Bank Holiday enjoy yourselves Nikos Ted and Claire Bear and Kimberley so proud to be a member of such a loving family the TCS. go Rodney

[@TedConingsby]

Oii oiii Debbie thank you so much. It was an incredible day. Through Storms by motto, through storms in reality, no matter what is thrown at us, we pull though 🩵❤️

[@DanielWalker4524]

Now just for starters we see the enthusiasm and passion from our presenter on screen with his Presentation/Pledge regarding how he wanted the channel to be, his vision so big up Nikos and his 'How he wanted this channel to be' list, which was extensive, nevertheless I think you've smashed those goals and exceeded them by quite a distance. Need a new set lol 😆 🙃 😅 in addition. Along with the Spanner Flight lending a helping hand its become a lesson in how a safe place should be, any generation is safe. Youngsters can freely watch with no fear. Exactly why I enjoy the channel, and absolutely it should be that way. Back to the action... another chance to witness safety and skill of the pilots, groundcrew and crash team with the RHAG deployment for the safe recovery of an F15E. Impressive too watch. 50K on the stream along with the unbelievable superchats here. I watch the live chats so I applaud all the members again on stream. 'Press the Care button' moment early in the stream, Spelt S-H-A-R-E? 😂. Caring is sharing.. The weather didn't awaiting, typical UK weather. Rain! Quick climbs turned into quickly gone out of view. An almost Hawk moment for Nikos as the F15e's arrived unannounced through the low misty clouds. Actuator explained once again with those hand movements Nikos? 😮😮 Hee hee it does look funny on screen. More expert learn with Nikos times with your A,B's & C's with F35 syndrome. What isthd difference? Now this is how I learnt. Perfect and thsnk you. A mass exodus of F15s with plenty on pad using their Afterburners to good effect in this light. Although one or two didn't bring out the burners 🤔🤔🫡. Another monster day at Lakenheath not least for achieving 50K subscribers. Sorry I couldn't join you at the time in celebration on live chats. Sometimes things aka WORK get in the way 😉😒😡 but I enjoyed the playback. Rocked out this evening to the TCS Quick Gone Climb Friday. Low cloud ruled today. Ahwell it hasn't harmed my fun.. To everyone involved, @Dr Soda on his birthday visit. Congratulations 🎊 you all made the stream a scream. Thanks 👍

[@TedConingsby]

Oiii oiii Dan. Glad you enjoyed the replay of this historic TCS day. The chat was buzzing and the support was already off the hook before we even started the live stream. So Nikos already made up his mind that the stream was going ahead no matter what emotion was thrown at us from the skies. In fact, it was very misty when we arrived that it was “no fly” style low cloud. In the end, the runway hugging cloud dispersed and the sound of howling start ups could be heard. Nikos gave the go ahead to commence the show. And what a show it was 50K oooohhhhh yeah LET’S RIDE!!!

[@Kevin-tf3kv]

Keep up good work Ted was at lakenheath most weeks but now watching from thailand do miss it but have Thai airforce,flying most days over me ,saabs and F16 s Kev

[@alangates5634]

Wow 50K. Congratulations oh yeah

[@TedConingsby]

Oiii oiii Alan oooohhhh yeah

[@MartinDrakes]

Great meeting up at Coningsby Nico's and Ted what a great day loved seeing Moggy 👍🏻😎✈️

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii Martin 🤙🏼great to meet you too

[@MartinDrakes]

@@TedConingsbyOii Oii Nico's I watched earlier take off Friday I think it's the best day to go, love your emojis m8 👍🏻😎✈️

[@chrismadge5472]

Massive Congrats Fellow Westonian Aka Nikos/ Ted/ Claire bear/Mods on an absolutely astonishing 50k Subscriber achievement, sorry i could not be with you on this very special day i was in hospital having an Operation, will catch up with ya`ll next week . . . Guns Up!!!!!!!!!!!

[@TedConingsby]

Oii oiii Chris thank you so much man.

[@StephenAinsworth1]

congrats to 50k whooooo

[@TedConingsby]

Oii oiii Stephen thank you so much. 50K OOOOOOOHHHH YEAH

[@jacksjeepinchannel5349]

I was stationed there in 1989 when they had F-111's. I was an ammo troop. Great video.

[@TedConingsby]

Oii oiii thank you for serving 🤙🏼

[@DanielWalker4524]

See @Ted Coningsby! I said you would.. Terrific job. Respect! Admiration! Tinged with sadness cos I wasn't on the live chats as it happened. Celebrate well, Celebrate proper, the TCS is the show stopper.. the encore... Ohh Yeahhh

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii Dan 🤙🏼

[@topfuelteddy]

Hi Is it worth coming on a bank holiday Monday coming up if the weather is ok? Are they likely to be flying ? Thanks

[@brooko9601]

Don’t think they will be flying

[@topfuelteddy]

@@brooko9601 Thanks for the reply , is there any way of finding out for definite? Don't mind going to Coninsby either .

[@TedConingsby]

Generally any day is pot luck however, Bank holidays and weekends you will get zero or very little movements 🤙🏼

[@topfuelteddy]

@@TedConingsby Thanks for the reply 👍

[@knoxyish]

50k nicos !! well done matey! another wet soaking though nikos!! get in the dry !!

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii Knoxy thank you so much oooooohhhhh yeah

[@bmosley4444]

Hello from 15 Wing anf Henrietta.

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii Brent

[@christianrosenqvist2904]

Oii oii, 50k!!!

[@TedConingsby]

Oii oiii 🤙🏼ooohhh yeah

[@AnnCox-kp3pc]

Hello ... I'm back from surgery. Can't see a lot

[@TedConingsby]

Oii oiii Ann wishing well

[@AnnCox-kp3pc]

@@TedConingsby I can see for the 1st in years without glasses. Oii oii 👋👋👋👍👍👍

[@patgalloway4832]

Oii oii bit late to the party

[@AnnCox-kp3pc]

I'm back from surgery

[@TedConingsby]

Hope all is good Ann

[@shaunoliver4586]

Bit murky and damp out east today Nicos

[@TedConingsby]

Maybe but we were not going to let it cancel our stream 🤙🏼

[@AnnCox-kp3pc]

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii

[@AnnCox-kp3pc]

Oii oii

[@TedConingsby]

Oii oiii