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53rd Wing welcomes F-15EX “002”

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt Savanah Bray
  • 53d Wing
The 53rd Wing welcomed the second F-15EX Eagle II to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., April 20, 2021.
 
Flown in by Maj. Aaron Eshkenazi, F-15 pilot, the second F-15EX showcases the 53rd Wing’s traditional “OT” tail flash and is assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron. 
 
"The 53d Wing is honored to welcome the second-ever F-15EX, and we are extremely proud that it displays the 'OT' tail flash," said Col Ryan Messer, commander, 53rd Wing. "However, that 'OT' represents more than just unit pride; it showcases the importance of early integration of operational and developmental test to directly fulfill the National Defense Strategy, which proclaims that, 'success no longer goes to the country that develops a new technology first, but rather to the one that better integrates it and adapts its way of fighting'; a statement we believe and live out in all of our missions." 
 
This is the second and final F-15EX delivered to Eglin AFB and the U.S. Air Force in FY21. The two F-15EXs and testers from the 40th Flight Test Squadron and 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron will work together in integrated developmental and operational test, effectively expediting the test timeline. DT/OT integration provides means for the F-15EX to get in the hands of the warfighter as soon as possible, while also ensuring the test rigor.
 
The F-15EX will make its exercise debut at Northern Edge 2021, proving the rapid test efforts of DT/OT integration and showcasing innovation through integration.
 
For more information, contact 1st Lt Savanah Bray, Public Affairs Advisor for the 53rd Wing at 850-598-3283 or savanah.bray@us.af.mil

The 53rd Wing provides tactical advantage to the warfighter at the speed of relevance. By testing new, operational capabilities, evaluating fielded capabilities, and optimizing electronic warfare capabilities, the 53rd Wing is bringing the future faster while answering the warfighter’s demands for integrated, multi-domain capabilities.