The Air Force reportedly gave the OK for F-15E model fighters to resume flying operations, after grounding the entire F-15 fleet earlier this month following the Nov. 2 crash of an Air National Guard F-15C. The Goldsboro (N.C.) News-Argus reports that USAF has lifted the grounding order for the E models, including those flown by the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C. They were due to start flying again Wednesday, after a “short maintenance spin up,” Col. Steve Kwast, 4th FW commander, told the newspaper. The E model has a stronger airframe than the A-D models, since the Air Force developed the Strike Eagle specifically for air-to-ground missions. Initial reports from the accident investigation indicate the C model F-15 may have suffered a structural failure in flight.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.