In this article we present 14 typical F-15E Strike Eagle loadout configurations used in Operation 'Enduring Freedom' (OEF).

After the events of 11th September 2001 United States and its allies initiated a long-lasting campaign against global terrorism. One important front of the war on terror lies in Afghanistan. Operations conducted here are run under the codename of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

Strike Eagles in Afghanistan developed to use their full arsenal, including the Sniper targeting pod and GPS guided bombs (this was not true however for the beginning years of the conflict, where the 'good old' LANTIRN and LGB's were used mostly, even along with dumb bombs). Strafing ground targets was an alien role for the F-15E before OEF - now it is a commonly used technique, which reduces collateral damage (something which is taken very seriously by F-15E aircrews over Afghanistan today) significantly. The majority of the missions fall into to CAS category, in many cases without the actual use of weapons, just conducting shows of force or shows of presence.

OEF is a currently ongoing operation with Strike Eagles flying combat sorties as we speak. At the beginning of the conflict, jets from the 391st FS (Bold Tigers) from Mountain Home AFB (ID) represented the F-15E presence, but later on other squadrons were involved as well, namely the 492nd FS (Madhatters) and 494th FS (Panthers) from RAF Lakenheath (UK), the 335th FS (Chiefs) and 336th FS (Rocketeers) from Seymour-Johnson AFB (NC), so practically all fighting F-15E units made their appearence in OEF.

Under the umbrella of OEF a couple of 'local' operations were conducted, such as Mountain Lion, Anacoda, etc. We present loadout configurations used during these operations in this article as well.

Loadout #1 - CAS_Mountain Lion

Operation Mountain Lion (OML) was an operation launched in April 2006 to deter the re-emergence of terrorism and to disrupt insurgent activities in the north-eastern part of Afghanistan, near the Pakistani border. This loadout is a lightweight CAS loadout, using only 2 LGB's and 2 JDAM's. Note that the config includes 3 AMRAAM's - although the A/A threat over Afghanistan is non-existing, we believe that due to the closeness of Pakistan, mission planners did not want to take any chances. Besides the well proven LANTIRN navigation pod, the top-notch Sniper targeting pod is used. The use of drop tanks is standard in OEF.

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Loadouts » OEF Loadout #1 (2)

Loadout #2 - Heavy Duty

This loadout uses only two pieces of A/G ordnance, but these are heavy stuff - the GBU-15 and the GBU-24. Note that this is a heavily assymmetric loadout configuration, with only one drop tank. The 'usual' A/A payload (that is 2 Sidewinders and 2 AMRAAM's on the wing launchers) is reduced to 2 Sidewinders and only 1 AMRAAM, since due to its long stablizer surfaces, the AMRAAM cannot be fitted into any of the wing launchers while the GBU-15 occupies the central station of the same wing pylon. The GBU-15 requires a DLP on the centerline station. No other A/G ordnance is used. This config uses a LANTIRN targeting pod.

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Loadouts » OEF Loadout #2 (4)

Loadout #3 - GBU-12_CAS

This is a typical CAS loadout utilizing only GBU-12 LGB's together with a LANTIRN targeting pod. A total of 8 GBU-12's are hung under the belly of the Strike Eagle, giving her an ability to strike many targets (either stationary or mobile) during one sortie. Other than this, the loadout contains nothing extraordinary: the usual 2+2 A/A missiles load, plus the usual 2 external drop tanks for extended range and TOT.

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Loadouts » OEF Loadout #3 (17)

Loadout #4 - Old Style_CAS

This is a modified version of OEF loadout #2 (see above): 4 of the GBU-12's are changed for 6 Mk-82's. The Mk-82 lacks the laser seeker head unit and the control fins of the GBU-12, that's why it is shorter which makes it possible to hang 3 of them behind each other on the CFT mounted bomb racks, thus utilizing all hardpoints available for A/G ordnance on a CFT. To make this loadout even more heavy, a plus GBU-12 is fitted on the centerline station, thus giving the F-15E the ability to employ a total of 11 (!) 500 lbs bombs (5 guided, 6 dumb) during a single sortie. The A/A loadout is usual, jut like the 2 external drop tanks.

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No photos are available for this loadout configuration.

Loadout #5 - Mixed_CAS

This is a typical loadout configuration that is often being used today (as of June 2010). A variety of LGB's and JDAM's in two sizes with Sniper XR pod: this is the most modern A/G ordnance in service today (not mentioning SDB's). Note that the GPS guidance kit of the JDAM's require much less space than the laser guidance kits of the LGB's, that's why 3 JDAM's can be fitted behind each other on a CFT, instead of the 2 LGB's. A/A loadout is usual, just like the 2 external drop tanks.

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No photos are available for this loadout configuration.

Loadout #6 - Mixed_CAS with_FACE

This config is almost exactly the same as OEF loadout #6 (the previous one), except that STA-8A holds a FACE pod instead of a Sidewinder.

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Loadouts » OEF Loadout #6 (8)

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. This loadout is the same as OIF loadout #7.

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Loadouts » OEF Loadout #7 (1)

Loadout #8 - Light_CAS with_FACE

This loadout configuration is used from 2006 after the FACE pod was fielded and fitted to the F-15E. Otherwise this is a light and variable CAS loadout with 2 small JDAM's and LGB's. Note that no AIM-9's are used, instead 3 AMRAAM's are fitted on the wing pylons. As for targeting pod, Sniper XR is used, plus the two drop tanks are standard.

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Loadouts » OEF Loadout #8 (3)

Loadout #9 - JDAM_CAS A

This loadout configuration makes use of mainly JDAM bombs: three 500 lbs and one 2,000 lbs bombs. Besides that a single GBU-12 is carried as an LGB. This loadout comes with Sniper XR pod, plus minimal A/A weaponry of a single Sidewinder and a single AMRAAM. The 2 external drop tanks are a usual sight.

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Loadouts » OEF Loadout #9 (5)

Loadout #10 - JDAM_CAS B

This loadout is almost exactly the same as the previous one (OEF Loadout #9), except that it uses two GBU-12's instead of a single one.

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Loadouts » OEF Loadout #10 (17)

Loadout #11 - Unarmed Travel A

This loadout is not used in combat, it is for aircraft travels. Because of this reason no A/G or even A/A ordnance is carried, but two travel pods are used to carry the aircrew's personal gear. Beside the LANTIRN navigation pod, the Sniper XR targeting pod is carried. External drop tanks are necessary for long travels.

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Loadouts » OEF Loadout #11 (2)

Loadout #12 - Unarmed Travel B

This loadout is not used in combat, it is for aircraft travels. Because of this reason no A/G or even A/A ordnance is carried, but two travel pods are used to carry the aircrew's personal gear. Beside the LANTIRN navigation pod, the LANTIRN targeting pod is carried. External drop tanks are necessary for long travels.

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Loadouts » OEF Loadout #12 (1)

Loadout #13 - Unarmed Travel C

This loadout is not used in combat, it is for aircraft travels. Because of this reason no A/G or even A/A ordnance is carried, but two travel pods are used to carry the aircrew's personal gear. Beside the LANTIRN navigation pod, no targeting pod is carried. External drop tanks are necessary for long travels.

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No photos are available for this loadout configuration.

Loadout #14 - JDAM_CAS C

This loadout uses 3 GBU-38's and 2 GBU-12's as Loadout #10, but it doesn't use the big GBU-31 on the centerline pylon, plus it uses 2 AMRAAM's and 2 Sidewinders instead of only 1-1.

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No photos yet.

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: Ezt a címet a spamrobotok ellen védjük. Engedélyezd a Javascript használatát, hogy megtekinthesd. .

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Sources

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

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

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