THIS HAS TO BE THE BEST EVER F-15E STRIKE EAGLE LOW APPROACH? • 48TH FIGHTER WING RAF LAKENHEATH

The Ted Coningsby channel have seen many low approaches and circuits during our shows, but now and again, there is one that stands out. The first low approach in the video absolutely silenced everyone in the car park. It was the talk of the day. The F-15E Strike Eagle was flown by a 494th Fighter Squadron "Panthers" pilot.
What is a Low Approach?
It is a when an aircraft will approach the runway at a low altitude (minimum altitude specified by ATC) and will pass low and go around. It is sometimes referred to as a low pass, and is essentially a go-around manoeuvre following an approach. Instead of touching down, a pilot may wish to go-around without touching down in order to expedite a particular operation.
Why do fighter jets carry out a Low Approach?
Well, practice can make perfect but can also burn fuel too. But, this manoeuvre can be useful in combat or if there is an issue with the runway. In combat, many aircraft will operate at altitudes as low as 100 feet and at high airspeeds to defeat ground missile radars and avoid sophisticated surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artillery, and enemy fighters. On a more day to day scenario, there could be a last minute emergency on the runway. It could also be used a reconnaissance too.
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.
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.
On the 15th January 1941, the US Army Air Corps activated the 48th Bombardment Group (Light). During WW2, the 492d, 493d and 494th Fighters Squadrons were trained and were significantly involved in the Normandy Landings, Operation Overlord and the Invasion of France. Their combat sorties involved bombings raids over bridges, railway lines and carried out reconnaissance missions. 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 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.
#f15 #runway #raflakenheath #usaf #fighterpilot #awesome #tedconingsby #trending #lookatthis #oohyeah #usaf #trending #number1 #best #runway #top #sendit
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[@TedConingsby]

Oiii oiii ladies, gents and teddy bears. This is, for us as a channel, our best seen low approach featured on the channel. In fact, Nikos titled this as “Candy Floss”. We are all different and have different tastes, but has there been any other low approaches that you’ve enjoyed on our channel?

[@roypowell3450]

Superb the 48th, never fail to please...Great stuff!👍

[@TedConingsby]

Ooohhh yeah

[@tmarkandy]

That has just made my Monday start well😀

[@TedConingsby]

Oiii oiiii

[@mikoriad]

For some reason this video reminded me of when the F-111s were there in the 80s & 90s. Amazing times!

[@donh622]

I was there.

[@helentucker6407]

Wow! A personal air show! 👍 👍 👍

[@TedConingsby]

Oohhh yeah

[@hisaddle]

I lived my first 45 yrs in St. Louis, MO where these are built, and the F-18. Friends, neighbors, relatives work/worked at the plant. When I was young, 40,000 people worked there. A high school friend is still there in advanced fighter dept. After he got his Mechanical Engineering degree he went to work there and still is, so I guess he has 42 years there. My uncle worked there about the same amount, he was in Scheduling. At a picnic one time, he had a large 'book' from work he was looking thru and said it took 1.5 years for all the parts to come together to make a F-15, lots of suppliers making small parts that all come together at the plant.

[@tooitchy]

Are they making the new F15EX as well?

[@tsully1986]

Incredible! We sure do miss the sights and sounds of RAF Lakenheath! Miss you all!

[@TedConingsby]

Oiii oiii 🤙🏼 hope you are well man

[@margobaxter8344]

LOL, who needs an alarm when the Lakenheath trucks or out in the morning? The noise & action from USAFE aircrews is always exceptional, incredible!! Yes if you haven't checked out Ted's "skim the white van" at Lakenheath, then you dunno what you're missing! 😁

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii Margo. This is the way and always exciting to hear a pilot request a low approach

[@richardbrown3434]

It was awesome. Ollie, Nick Ward and I were watching it from behind out by the main road. Couldn’t believe how low it turned out 🤙🏻🇺🇸

[@TedConingsby]

Oiii oiii Rich 🤙🏼 These were out of this world and the candy floss was mega!

[@DanielWalker67]

Insanely low there. Awesome Spluffage on turn out and break. That was a buzz I reckon..48FW at their very best. Thanks for all the memories Lakenheath.

[@TedConingsby]

Oiii oiii Dan thanks man

[@nicksimpson8114]

OOOOHH YYYEAAAAAAH the "Candy Floss" day!! What a couple of minutes of complete joy to watch and appreciate. Unreal skills and amazing technology thats as old as me! If only I was quite so agile!

[@TedConingsby]

Oooohhh yeah thanks Nick

[@barrycoomer8137]

Incredible. I know we’ve all come appreciate the F35s (and rightly so because they’re awesome ) but for me personally Lakenheath will always be about Eagles. Thanks for sharing, outstanding. 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@andrewphippsphillips1455]

Without any doubts, well said. I almost forget that when I used to pass the base frequently, it was F111s that were in residence.

[@cliffpurdom2966]

Just wow brilliant show

[@stevecurd3944]

F-15E's from the 48th always do it in style

[@NicolaBrown-dm9qt]

Missing this! Need to get back and get my fweep fix!

[@TedConingsby]

Oii oiii

[@Dex_The_Paladin]

"Smile for the camera wizzo - We've got some ants to skim!" 🐜

[@TedConingsby]

lol ooohhhh yeah

[@JaydunVRofficial]

Ted is one lucky bear to see an F-15 That low!

[@TedConingsby]

Oiii oiii thank you so much

[@TorontoChannel]

I remember that stream what a mind blowing experience seeing that

[@TedConingsby]

Oiii oiiii 🤙🏼

[@Marshal976]

Awesome stuff!!

[@nickward4963]

Probably my greatest memory from Lakenheath so far this pilot was insane 😂 ooohhhhh yyeeaahhhhhhhhhhh

[@TedConingsby]

Oiii oiii Triple Nick 🤙🏼 this was just insanely brilliant

[@Thetequilashooter1]

I love hearing the excitement in your voice!

[@TedConingsby]

Oohhh yeah

[@MichaelPrice-Jones]

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant.

[@Peace2U-ec6es]

"Absolutely Incredible"... Spot on!

[@Pscans1234]

Thank you that was tremendous.

[@keithsmith8146]

OMG ...... That was just amazing :)

[@TedConingsby]

Oiii oiii Keith 🤙🏼

[@liljohnyboy25]

Love to hear those birds! I heard them almost every day in St. Louis.

[@DougBrighTan_o7]

Amazing and absolutely magnificent on that elegent condensation on the main wings !! 🤩

[@TedConingsby]

Oiii oiii Douglas thank you. Amazing wasn’t it

[@DougBrighTan_o7]

@TedConingsby you are welcome and it is a sight to see and most welcome, cheers !!! o7 😎

[@barrywood5357]

oy oy savaloy with early morning fluffage

[@TedConingsby]

Ooohhh yeah

[@leah9084]

Love to watch them!

[@dave136]

Just beautiful ..nuff said 😁

[@lawrencemartin1113]

Spectacular!! 😮

[@LAMBOTRAGIC]

AWESOME FOOTAGE

[@NicolaBrown-dm9qt]

I showed this clip to the Year 2 class I work with, as I had the Class mascot with me. Tony the Otter! (Thanks again for the photo!) They loved it when Ted lost his hat! They really thought it was funny! 😂

[@TedConingsby]

Oii oooo Nicola that’s awesome thank you for sharing this with the school oooohhh yeah

[@NicolaBrown-dm9qt]

@@TedConingsby 🤙

[@NicolaBrown-dm9qt]

I meant beret!!! Sorry @Ted!!

[@MidwestMotor]

Great video sir! Cheers! 🏁🏁

[@markstubbs5332]

One word! WOW!!

[@TedConingsby]

Too right

[@ursiemay]

Absolutely incredible OII OII to the MAX! ❤❤❤

[@TedConingsby]

Ooohhh yeah 🤙🏼

[@gooniac33]

Holy hell!!! That was AWESOME!!! There are two F-15 bases near me that I need to pay a visit to.... but I don't think that they will ever be quite as awesome as that was!!

[@chrisjude8794]

Absolutely AWESOME How good was that AMAZING 👍👍👍👍😎

[@shannonshepard5047]

Totally awesome! Love the F15! Thanks for the footage.

[@TedConingsby]

Oii oiii thank you

[@jermainegriffin5299]

My God wow !!! I love it !

[@TedConingsby]

Ooohhh yeah

[@wesdowner5636]

Amazing spluffage!!! An F-15EX flew over my house last week. Portland OR ANG got the first 8 of those. 0:57 2:20

[@TedConingsby]

Ooohhh yeah

[@robertcolliver1985]

Omg ted absolutely amazing low approach and especially with the water vapour wow 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@TedConingsby]

Ooohhh yeah

[@Biter1975]

Awesome. Love having the USA teams here.

[@la_old_salt2241]

Nice!

[@IanWright72]

Just Awesome 👌 OOH YEAH

[@TedConingsby]

Oii oiiii

[@paulsleighty]

Flipping awesome

[@Tyler_The_Aviator]

I saw 6 of them in formation with a KC 135 Twice . Cool

[@spijkie1969]

Nice!!!!!

[@TheZman43]

That one went on my favorites list.

[@TedConingsby]

Ooohhh yeah

[@125brat]

Cor! That second one flew so low its wheels touched the ground😂

[@tinkertailor7385]

They are a magnificent Jet.

[@CrysisChrisHonour]

definitely saw that you were there and decided to show off

[@TedConingsby]

Oooohhhh yeah

[@davidcole333]

90 degree bank in the traffic pattern is insane!

[@mwoldringh]

Nice spluffage and very pleasant to see 🙂🙃

[@Gus0898uk]

Wow!!! 48FW, you are the best of the best, well USAF anyway, not bad for USN washouts. :)

[@alixakablackcat3739]

Gotta admit seeing the F15 doing quick climbs and the movements these pilots do with my favorite fighter jets it's no wonder I love these fighter jets 🥰👍💯😊

[@TedConingsby]

Ooohhh yeah

[@mode1charlie170]

Man when the F-15 puts its wheels up it becomes a different beast.

[@davyjoske]

Thankful for nice video 🤙🤙🤙

[@YTishit]

The Most Handsome Fighter 💪

[@cdyjv118]

Bleed Red Bleed Blue!!

[@wokeupandsmellthecoffee214]

No car alarms were hurt during this process !

[@3MinutesofAviation]

Awesome captures! May I feature the second low approach in one of my next episodes? Of course with a link back to your original video. All the best to you!

[@TedConingsby]

Thank you. Sure thing

[@leasky32]

Awsome

[@robertbrassell1215]

awesome

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii Robert 🤙🏼

[@sneakersnsupercars]

OOOOOOOOH YEAHHHHHHHH 😮 Not surprised Ted lost it a bit 😂😂😂

[@TedConingsby]

Oooohhh yeah

[@zedfender9423]

They got the give them what they came for. Nice

[@ohlookitsasquirrel]

That 15 a 2:20 used some heavy stabilizers/elevators for that tail to slide on the left turn..wow.. compared to the one after its insane levels of slide.

[@MichaelCox-b7c]

If I remember correctly the f-15 that did not have a two person flight crew was a streak eagle. Only the two person version was called the strike eagle.

[@TedConingsby]

Oii oiiii 🤙🏼The F-15E Strike Eagle is only available in a family version (2-seater). They only have F-15Es at the 48th FW 🤙🏼

[@tomdarco2223]

Right On

[@mikkuga1]

My old squadron loved being there.

[@TedConingsby]

Oh cool. Thanks for serving. What did you do at Lakenheath?

[@Joeybagofdonutts]

I was part of the flight line when I was in the US Air Force…we had F-15’s and F-16‘s at our TAC airbase taking off and landing constantly..nothing like this feeling

[@TacTechMic]

We get this all day long at Elgin AFB

[@stanbrown5425]

I drive past where these are made everyday on way to and from work. Often see them taking off/landing at Lambert Field, I work near the airport.. Best fighter ever.

[@DaviGonçalves-p7g]

God save the King

[@fw1421]

Still the best fighter in the USAF. My opinion only. Has the best combat record of any fighter.

[@gazratjackson]

Teddy must have some pull to get two of those to dance just for him

[@TedConingsby]

Youknowhowiriz

[@SupercarsofLancashire]

I caught it from the front, only photos unfortunately

[@pauldehorn]

“oh my absolute salmon gills” 😂😂😂

[@TedConingsby]

Ooohhh yeah

[@biknjak]

Bad guys: "RUN!! The F15's are com------"

[@briantheminer]

They were certainly out to please today

[@marcello177]

The F15 vitamines are level up sky-high

[@andrewhely703]

Oi Oi Nikos, Ted and Claire Bear. Are you in Lakenheath Airbase today? It was so foggy last Thursday so not much flying that day.

[@StephenAinsworth1]

that had it all

[@TedConingsby]

Sure did Stephen

[@stephaniedale8302]

I feeeeeel tha neeeed, the need for speed ! Turn n Burn 🔥 👍👍👍👍

[@allensauler7960]

IMAGINE, being inside that aircraft, with that POWER at your fingertips? It must be very close to launching off the start line in a 12,000+ HP TOP FUEL, Funny Car! ! !

[@jodeldk]

What in gliding call, bank and yank manoeuvre

[@tcbowen12]

Just an amazing aircraft. Still no better option out there when talking in terms of bang for your buck.

[@martinpearce4604]

[@TedConingsby]

Ooohhh yeah

[@mclarry01]

You mean a standard simulated "Touch & Go ?" Definitely seen 1000 times more wicked T&G's in my career but good job regardless

[@TedConingsby]

Oii oiii, no these were “low approaches”, of the 48th FW, non standard. A “Touch and go” is extremely rare at Lakenheath

[@alberta6368]

2.5 Mach Hedge Trimmers.

[@andrastetriformis6241]

🇺🇸❤️🇬🇧

[@Winnipeg2024]

He moves up and down like dusty bin 😂

[@BoooSelecta]

Oii Oii! 🫡🇩🇪🤘🏼

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii

[@ahmadtheaviationlover1937]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@GUERRO06]

MAGA!!!

[@richardsuter2816]

Absolutely filth ! Awesome !

[@captaina8697]

Wowser, that first one was incredible and to top it off was the DiCaprio tea slurp😂❤🫡

[@TedConingsby]

Oooohhhh yeah. Sure was incredible