One of the most famous units at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom is the American 493rd Fighter Squadron. The unit is also known as the Grim Reapers and belongs to the 48th Fighter Wing (48FW) of the United States Air Force in Europe (USAFE). The unit was for many years the last operational F-15C/D Eagle squadron of the USAF in Europe.
During the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the beginning of 2022, the Grim Reapers deployed eight F-15C/Ds to Łask Air Base in Poland in February 2022. The unit performed as part of the NATO enhanced Air Policing (eAP) mission to protect Europe's eastern borders. It was the last NATO mission of the squadron while operation the F-15C/D Eagle. On April 27, 2022, the 493rd's last four F-15Cs had left RAF Lakenheath back to the United States. These Eagles were sent back to the United States main land to equip Air National Guard squadrons. This happening marked the end of an era in which the Eagle dominated the European skies. This was a huge milestone for the USAFE as the Eagle was for many years the main air dominance fighter.
In April 2022, the 493FS was inactivated after its fleet of F-15Cs and Ds returned to the United States. The unit started its preparation to re-equip with the F-35A Lightning II. When the unit will be activated is not yet known, but it is known that the 493FS is busy to become an F-35A Squadron. The 493rd Fighter Squadron future F-35A flagship (19-5493) was delivered to RAF Lakenheath on April 15, 2022. Until the unit is re-activated, the plane is assigned to its newly formed sister squadron the 495th Fighter Squadron, which is also known as the Valkyries. This united received already more than ten F-35As and started operational flying at Lakenheath.
This is a subscription only section
Want to read more? It's only €10/year.
No account yet? Just Create an account first and head to the shop