For 78 days in 1999, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) conducted an aerial bombing campaign over the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, known as OPERATION ALLIED FORCE. On March 26, Captain Jeff "Claw" Hwang piloted this F-15C on display, as the Mission Commander for an air support mission. Nearing the
Bosnian/Serbian border, he acquired a single radar contact. While he and his wingman tracked the bogey, Capt. Hwang identified it as two targets in an enemy formation. Within ninety seconds of detecting the second aircraft, Capt. Hwang fired two AIM-120 missiles in rapid succession from a distance of sixteen miles and achieved the F-15’s first double MiG-29 Fulcrum kill in the same engagement.
The acceleration and maneuverability of the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle make it one of the most successful all-weather air superiority US Air Force fighters. The twin-engine jet can turn tightly without losing airspeed and accelerate in a vertical climb due to a combination of high thrust, a lightweight airframe, and a large wing area. Using the most advanced electronics and weapons, F-15 pilots can detect, acquire, track, and attack enemy aircraft via a head-up display, ensuring all essential flight information is within the pilot's sight line. Introduced in 1972, the F-15 scored over 100 aerial victories, and remains unbeaten in air-to-air combat.
TECHNICAL NOTES
Armament: One M61A1 20mm six-barrel cannon with 940 rounds
of ammunition; four AIM-9 Sidewinders and four AIM-120
AMRAAMs or eight AIM-120 AMRAAMs
Speed: 1,875 mph (Mach 2 class)
Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-100, 220, or 229 turbofan
engines with afterburners
Thrust: (C/D models) 23,450 pounds each engine
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