WHAT A WAY TO MAKE AN ENTRANCE! 6-SHIP FORMATION 494TH FS "PANTHERS" RETURN HOME • RAF LAKENHEATH

Six F-15E Strike Eagles of the 494th Fighter Squadron "Panthers" return home after months away and just look at their entrance in a 6-ship formation and into the break to land. Take note of their nose art and markings!
The 494th Fighter Squadron is a combat-ready McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle squadron based at RAF Lakenheath and are capable of executing strategic attack, interdiction, and counter air missions in support of United States Air Forces in Europe, United States European Command, and NATO operations. It employs the full array of air superiority and surface attack munitions to include the most advanced precision-guided weapons in the USAF inventory. The squadron is capable of deploying to any theater of operations in the world.
Their history starts them back in 1941 and were activated as a Southeastern Air District Army Air Corps training squadron, equipped with a variety of second-line aircraft, both single and twin engine, preparing its pilots and maintenance crews for eventual combat. After the Pearl Harbor Attack, the squadron flew antisubmarine patrols from, March-April 1942. Resumed aircrew training, many of the group's members went on to serve in squadrons stationed in Europe and the Pacific theaters.
Eventually coming under the AAF III Fighter Command in 1944, trained replacement pilots with P-47 Thunderbolts, Converted in January 1944 to an operational fighter squadron with the end of RTU training. Deployed to the European Theater of Operations (ETO), being assigned to the IX Fighter Command in England, March 1944.
On the 7th November 1945, the squadron inactivated but reactivated in 1952 and found themselves under the command of the 48th Fighter Bomb Wing based in Chamount AB, France, which are now the 48th Fighter Wing here at RAF Lakenheath. With F-84G Thunderjets, F-86s and then F-100 Super Sabres.
In 1960 The 48th TFW moved to RAF Lakenheath taking their three squadrons with them including the 494th TFS. In late 1971 the squadron started its conversion to the McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II. With the arrival of the Phantoms, the F-4s adopted a common tail code of "LK". This tail code lasted only a few months as in July and August 1972 the 48th TFW further recoded to "LN".
In 1977, RAF Lakenheath's Squadrons transitioned to F-111s and the 494th participated in Operation El Dorado Canyon, the air raid on Tripoli, Libya on 14 and 15 April 1986. It flew combat missions in Southwest Asia from, January-February 1991 as part of Operation Desert Storm. It was after these operations that the 48th TFW were redesignated as the 48th Fighter Wing, meaning that the 494th also dropped the "Tactical", making them the 494th Fighter Squadron.
With all these changes, the squadron switched aircraft again, exchanging the F-111s (which stated to be retired in 1991) for the F-15E Strike Eagle in early February 1992. The Strike Eagle represented a change from a strictly ground attack role to a dual role mission for the 494th: air interdiction and air superiority.
#f15 #strikeeagle #f15strikeeagle #runway #letsride #usaf #usairforce #power #494fs #panthers #sendit #tedconingsby #oohyeah #love #life #trending #super #f15e
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[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii ladies, gents and teddy bears. Formation flying is always exciting to see, especially when it’s not an aerobatics team. Four-ships are exciting enough but to see six is stunning. Let us know your thoughts in the comments, we’d love to hear from you. Don’t forget to support our channel by clicking the LIKE button and subscribing

[@speedracer2336]

Thanks Air Force for what you do to keep this country safe!

[@richardbrown3434]

Welcome back to the guys and girls of the 494th ‘panthers’ you’ve been missed 🫡🤙🏻🐆

[@TedConingsby]

Oiii oiii Rich 🤙🏼 ALL back safe and sound

[@mpol701]

Any body got there current freqs got 493 495, but now 494 are back probably new a it tong air aux sabyinevgit any ill check soon search and scan but heads up appreciated

[@kj300680]

I was there yesterday at the end of the Runway when they came back. My 1st time seeing and photographing a formation like that. Was amazing to see. Welcome home 494th FS “Panthers”

[@TedConingsby]

[@barryklinedinst6233]

Long live the EAGLE

[@knighthawk3045]

Always a pleasure to hear that howl from the F-15s

[@TedConingsby]

Ooohh yeah

[@susansimmons4134]

Thank you so much dear Sirs, and God Bless each and everyone of you for your service! P.S. Has anyone even noticed the weaponry each one of these planes carry?!? WOW - My thoughts and prayers go out to your families and close friends as well. Sincerely

[@douglas_brighty_tan127]

That is a magnificent footage and sight of the 6 ship formation of the F-15E Strike Eagles 🤩🤩👏👏

[@TedConingsby]

Ooohh yeah

[@douglas_brighty_tan127]

@@TedConingsby awesome and have a great day , cheers 😁✨

[@christinebarnes3493]

The lithest, fiercest, boldest are back 🐆🐆🐆🐆🐆🐆

[@christinebarnes3493]

Well six of them 😎

[@TedConingsby]

And all back safe and sound

[@DanielWalker4524]

Welcome home "Panthers", it's good to see you, we've missed you. Thanks for the show here. 6 beasts of Lakenheath returning for our pleasure. What a pleasure it was. You brought back your fine Nose Art 🎨 for us too stare at. You all looked magic. BLEED RED , Fly high, fast and hard.. love it . Great video this. More!!

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii Dan. All back safe n sound

[@PerezMapManBush]

Great to see the Panthers home after a long deployment, love the nose art as well.

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii Perry 🤙🏼great to see them now all back safe n sound

[@stephenwhitnall322]

Amazing footage especially the last one Banking

[@ellesee7079]

Welcome back to the 494th FS - Glad to see you safely back. You've been missed Great shots of the 6 ship, breaks, and nose art Ted and Nikos 👏🏻

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii Ellesee 🤙🏼it’s great to have them back

[@daveysurt8803]

Super footage again Ted and Nikos ❤️🫡 And Welcome home 494TH FW PANTHERS 🇺🇸🇺🇸 Thank you for your service and dedication

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii Davey 🤙🏼 nice to see them ALL back safe n sound

[@phucgougle4279]

No Cad Cam no CNC No Carbon Fiber when these babies first entered the inventory F 15A 1974 Happy 50th Birthday!!!

[@chipsteinberg5046]

Sorry when the original F 15 entered the AF inventory its speed brake was and still is made from boron composite.

[@chipsteinberg5046]

The 494th flies the F15C not the A model

[@chipsteinberg5046]

Previous message was an error, the 494th flies the E model, sorry

[@LordBuckhouse]

Smartly done !!

[@kosmokatinperson8835]

Great video of this 494th pitchout recovery.

[@colinpattison220]

Excellent stream from RAF Lakenheath yesterday, great action from the 48th FW, well captured Ted & Nikos, but it was this "special moment" for me, the safe returning to home base of the 494th Panthers. Well done all

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii Colin. Nicely said, to welcome them back and see them ALL return safely.

[@margobaxter8344]

Tremendous! What a welcome back!! ❤

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii Margo 🤙🏼great to see them all back safe n sound

[@PaulBlick-ml5xw]

Nice one Nikos & Ted. Welcome back 494th - Love the nose art!

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii Paul

[@roypowell3450]

Welcome back the Panthers safe and sound and what an entrance. Love the Nose Art...No doubt we will see again soon!

[@TedConingsby]

Ooohh yeah

[@ZetecinsideMotorsport]

Amazing day yesterday. I was glued to the coverage all day.

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii glad you enjoyed

[@chrisjude8794]

How FANTASTIC was that 👌👌👌👌👌💯 Oh yeah as someone would say 😁👍👍👍👍😎

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii Chris 🤙🏼Oohh yeah

[@juliebeard880]

Great way to start the day Ted, Nikos, thanks👍😁

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii Julie

[@Dex_The_Paladin]

What a way to fweep back into the base - wow 😍😎 Welcome back to the Fweepublic of Lakenheath 🐆

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii Dex 🤙🏼

[@noreengarcia]

Perfect Pace! ❤❤❤❤❤❤ Beautiful teamwork: Pilots and team and Ted and team! 😊

[@paulmhennings6158]

Stunning

[@TedConingsby]

Oiii Oii Paul

[@tommystravels64]

Woo Hoo! Welcome back indeed!! Can't wait to see the footage from these guys when they rip through LFA7 ( Mach Loop) Oooohhh YEAHHH!!!! 💪🤘🤘

[@barrywood5357]

The beasts are back in town such an epic video in the morning tea toast and some nice formation arrivals crack on oy oy savaloy

[@TedConingsby]

Oohh yeah

[@jimmygee6113]

Know that's the way to return on mass.... Never seen a 6 ship return and to see it on TCC is special. Welcome home 494th 'Panther's '

[@TedConingsby]

Ooohhh yeah

[@suasponte8363]

Never gets old!

[@EdwardCoates-zk2ug]

.A great homecoming entrance of the six F15's in line abreast to Lakenheath after their duty tour away, well captured Nikos including their Nose Art thank you.

[@TedConingsby]

Oohh yeah

[@sie50]

Welcome home 494FS Panthers . Great footage Nikos. Thank you

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii Si thank you very much

[@abelcurtis9598]

Nice

[@user-kb7vt3nh4u]

WOW !! 🤩

[@sbateson67]

Going to be staying at Tattershall lakes in July and I am looking for Comms frequencies for CGY and other airfields with in range.

[@TedConingsby]

Have a superb time

[@alangates5634]

oh yeah.

[@TedConingsby]

Ooohh yeah

[@wesdowner5636]

Wow

[@stevecurd9113]

Thunder from the Gods The Eagle has landed

[@grahammcrobert7141]

Nice one Nikos brilliant as usual

[@TedConingsby]

Oiii Oii thank you Graham

[@captaina8697]

That’s a way to come home 🫡

[@TedConingsby]

Sure is man

[@wolfhauzer3178]

i miss being in my squadron in 48th fighter wing sadly my service ended a long time ago i was the back seat gunner (WSO) in the f15

[@IanWright72]

Awesome camera 📷 work, looks awesome in 4k well done Nikos and Ted Coningsby

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii Ian thank you

[@princesspumpkin74]

I’m sure Margo can think of a 6 fweeeep poem! Hint hint 😉

[@ClaytonGobattle93324]

🤙Awesome

[@TedConingsby]

Oohh yeah

[@tonchanthol5329]

❤❤❤

[@robertbrassell1215]

OHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[@TedConingsby]

Well said Robert oooooohhhh yeah

[@daltonlee4504]

Strike eagles are awesome i had 2 at lower altitude come over yesterday probably from SEYMOUR JOHNSON

[@colinboneham7387]

Great formation running break, and thankfully not the missing man formation

[@TedConingsby]

[@beepeeify]

Jeepers! Look at all those ers!

[@TedConingsby]

Hehe love it sters

[@sjwilloughby-greene8214]

♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️💯

[@andrastetriformis6241]

❤️🤍💙

[@houkelienessek6895]

Biden: You guys are the best in the whole damn world, man!

[@richardnewman8712]

Amazing.

[@TedConingsby]

Oii oiii Richard

[@typhoon123]

Amazing!

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii Lee

[@typhoon123]

@@TedConingsby Oii Oii Guys! ❤️