F-15Es flying again over Afghanistan

F-15Es flying again over Afghanistan
By Erik Holmes - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Nov 14, 2007 19:20:43 EST

F15E Strike Eagles are flying again in the war zone, but nearly 500 A, B, C and D models remain grounded.

Air Combat Command is returning its 224 F-15Es to flight 10 days after the entire fleet was grounded for safety concerns following the Nov. 2 crash of an F-15C.

There is no word when the other F-15 aircraft will return to flight, said ACC spokesman Maj. Tom Crosson.

On Sunday, Gen. John Corley, ACC commander, ordered the F-15Es back in the air after each one passed a safety inspection, according to an ACC statement.

All of the F-15Es deployed to Afghanistan with the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing are now back in flying status, said wing spokesman Capt. Michael Meridith. The last aircraft at Bagram Air Base was cleared for flight Tuesday, he said.

Crosson said the inspections will check the aircraft’s hydraulic system lines; longerons, which are molded metal strips running from front to rear of the aircraft fuselage; and straps and skin panels in and around the environmental control system bay.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/11/airforce_f15_flying_071114w/