Deployers return to Lakenheath

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher S. Sparks
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
F-15E Strike Eagles and Airmen from the 494th Fighter Squadron and supporting units across the 48th Fighter Wing have returned from a six-month deployment to an undisclosed location.

Lt. Col. Morgan Lohse, 494th FS commander, said it was an incredible deployment on many levels and allowed the F-15E to showcase its full capabilities.

"The combined Panther team of maintainers and operators did a fantastic job in a very dynamic and complex environment while conducting operations around the clock,” Lohse said. “The team had a great attitude and helped recover all but a small pocket of territory held by ISIS, while protecting US and coalition partners on the ground."

While deployed as the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, the “Panthers” completed nearly 10,000 flying hours and over 2,000 missions while employing over 500 precision-guided munitions in support of U.S. Central Command operations.