In this article we present 12 typical F-15E Strike Eagle loadout configurations used in Operation 'Iraqi Freedom' (OIF).

Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) started after the finish of the long Operations of Northern Watch (ONW) and Southern Watch (OSW). Under the umbrella of the war on terror, United States and its allies started a war to remove Saddam Hussein from power and put and end to his regime.

OIF started on 19th March 2002 with F-15E Strike Eagles attacking key military command and control targets with AGM-130's. After the beginning of the ground offensive (called Shock and Awe) CAS missions were flown as well. CAS missions were often flown in a manner that Strike Eagles patrolled a pre-planned zone (called 'killbox') and supported the fight of ground troops in that zone. These kind of missions were called Killbox Interdiction ( KI), which - coupled with CAS - soon took the name of KI/ CAS, or 'kick-ass' as aircrew simply called it.

Another typical mission profile was SCAR (strike coordination attack and reconnaisance) during which Strike Eagles utilized their long range and advanced sensors to find and pinpoint targets for other types of jets, like F-14 Tomcats or F/A-18 Hornets.

It was not only this FAC role, which was new to the Strike Eagle community, but they often used laser guided bombs (LGB's) to attack and strike moving targets. This required honed skills and great experience from WSO's.

OIF is a currently ongoing operation with Strike Eagles flying combat sorties over Iraq as we speak. Being a long lasting conflict itself as well, jets and crew from almost all fighting F-15E squadrons got their opportunity to fly combat. 492nd FS (Madhatters) from RAF Lakenheath (UK), the 335th FS (Chiefs) and 336th FS (Rocketeers) from Seymour-Johnson AFB (NC) - they all made their appearence in OIF. This latter two squadrons were seen swapping tail stripes: although normally Rocketeers have yellow and Chiefs have green tail stripes, quite a few photos were taken of Rocketeers jets with green and Chiefs jets with yellow tail stripes - just to make things more confusing.

Loadout #1 - Kick Ass A

This loadout contains 5 GBU-12's and 6 Mk-82's, which allow the jet to strike a multitude of targets. The usual A/A payload (that is 2 Sidewinders and 2 AMRAAM's on the wing launchers) is used. Note that the drop tanks are light green, because they are War Reserve Material ( WRM), a cheaper and more 'expandable' version of the standard 610 gal drop tanks.

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No photos are available for this loadout configuration.

Loadout #2 - Kick Ass B

This loadout uses LGB's only, and two types of them: GBU-12's for smaller or mobile targets and big GBU-10's for bigger and harder targets. A standard A/A weaponry is used, plus light grey WRM drop tanks. A LANTIRN targeting pod is required to guide the LGB's.

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No photos are available for this loadout configuration.

Loadout #3 - Kick Ass C

This loadout is a combination of OIF KI/ CAS loadouts #1 and #2. It uses both the 'small' GBU-12's and the 'big' GBU-10, plus 3 Mk-82 'dumb' bombs are added. A/A load is standard and light gray WRM drop tanks are used.

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Loadouts » OIF Loadout #3 (1)

Loadout #4 - Offensive Counter Air

This is a pure A/A loadout configuration - being very rare with the Strike Eagle, which is utilized most of the time as a strike aircraft. The load of 6 AMRAAM's is quite impressive for anyone wanting an A/A clash with the F-15E. The two external WRM tanks and the LANTIRN pods are standard loads.

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No photos are available for this loadout configuration.

Loadout #5 - Full GBU-12

This loadout uses no other A/G ordnance than GBU-12 - the maximum number of them that can be hung under the belly of the Strike Eagle. 9 GBU-12's give the F-15E the ability to strike lots of targets (either moving or stationary) during one single sortie. Besides this, a standard A/A load is used, plus WRM drop tanks and the LANTIRN pods.

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Loadouts » OIF Loadout #5 (1)

Loadout #6 - Basic GBU-12

This loadout is the typical GBU-12 configuration - only 4 of them is used. That still means four targets during one sortie, but with too much negative effects on total aircraft weight. A/A load is the usual, just like the two WRM drop tanks and the LANTIRN pods.

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Loadouts » OIF Loadout #6 (5)

Loadout #7 - Light GBU-12

This is a very light loadout, with almost the minimal A/G ordnance available - only two GBU-12's. A/A load is standard, just like the two LANTIRN pods and the two light gray WRM drop tanks.

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Loadouts » OIF Loadout #7 (1)

Loadout #8 - Heavy GBU-12

This loadout is practically the same as OIF loadout #8, but one GBU-12 less. Everything else ( A/A weaponry, WRM drop tanks, LANTIRN pods) is quite standard.

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Loadouts » OIF Loadout #8 (4)

Loadout #9 - Asymmetric Standoff

The core of this loadout configuration is the huge AGM-130 A/G missile. It is so big that it can be hung only on the wing pylons, while it requires a data link pod for guidance on the centerline pylon. This loadout uses only one AGM-130 and a drop tank on the other side which is a rather asymmetric loadout. Two GBU-12's give some LGB capability to the jet, while only 1 AMRAAM is carried, because AMRAAM and AGM-130 cannot be fit together on the same wing pylon.

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Loadouts » OIF Loadout #9 (1)

Loadout #10 - Pipeline Recce

This is another GBU-12 loadout - this time 5 of the 200 lbs laser guided bombs are hung under the belly of the Strike Eagle. A/A weaponry is the usual, just like the LANTIRN pods and the two light grey WRM drop tanks.

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Loadouts » OIF Loadout #10 (8)

Loadout #11 - Penetrator C.A.S.

This configuration contains the 'usual' 4 GBU-12's, plus a serious looking 2,000 lbs GBU-31 JDAM with penetrator warhead in the centerline station. Other elements of the loadout are just the usual: A/A load, WRM tanks and LANTIRN pods.

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Loadouts » OIF Loadout #11 (1)

Loadout #12 - Mixed C.A.S.

This is a typical loadout configuration that is often being used today (as of June 2010). A relatively low weight, but flexible mixture of LGB's and JDAM's with Sniper XR pod: this is the most modern A/G ordnance in service today (not mentioning SDB's). A/A loadout uses 3 AMRAAM's instead of the usual two. The 2 external drop tanks are standard.

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Loadouts » OIF Loadout #12 (21)

Disclaimer

Please note that this list is by no means complete. If you have any solid information (or better yet: photos) of other loadouts used in this conflict, do not hesitate, please feel free to drop us an email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

We at F-15E.info always do our best to comply with OPSEC/COMSEC rules. All information presented here is based on public domain information and/or material previously cleared for official release by USAF.

Sources

• Military Visualizations Inc. (www.milviz.com)

• Official USAF website (www.af.mil)
• www.designation-systems.net

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