OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM --- Air Force F-15 Strike Eagle aircraft hit targets in Afghanistan recently, marking the first action for the aircraft in Operation Enduring Freedom.
The attacks came in two waves. The first fighters launched early in the day and the second later in the evening after the return of the first wave.
Officials here said the aircraft -- from the "Bold Tigers" squadron -- hit their primary targets on the first attempt and returned to base despite anti-aircraft fire from the ground.
"There are a few pieces of (Taliban) stuff that don't exist anymore," said "T.J.," the pilot of the lead aircraft.
Prior to the launch, the maintenance crews and other flightline operations specialists gathered to watch the aircraft take off. As the crews boarded their fighters, "Chaz," the squadron operations officer, gave them a thumbs-up and said "Exit Trojan: Come home on your shield or carrying it."
The maintainers then lined the flightline as the aircraft taxied and cheered the aircrews.
The aircraft, crews and maintenance people arrived in Southwest Asia only days before the attacks. The unit was originally slated to participate in the ongoing Operation Southern Watch, the enforcement of a United Nations-mandated no-fly zone over southern Iraq.
The F-15s are part of one of the Air Force's air expeditionary wings, designed to respond in short notice to contingency situations. The unit received word that they would fly against targets in Afghanistan roughly 24 hours before the strikes.
"They're great people, great professionals," Chaz said. "They've been so far leaning forward to get this mission done, it's been an impressive sight." (ends)
