After 45 years, the F-15 C and D models assigned to the 18th Wing are officially gone - the end of an era. It was good to take a look at C-model 0088 proudly displayed inside of Kadena Air Base Gate 1 near wing headquarters as we were out and about doing touristy things. (Yes, that's a golf ball at the bottom right - a Callaway, lol. The 11th fairway of KAB's Banyan Tree Golf Course is to the right of the headquarters building. Someone hooked it hard off the tee.)
As I mentioned here, they had been on Kadena more than half of my life until now, which made it a somewhat bittersweet departure in my mind being that it was there when I was a dependent, as a young NCO stationed there, and now as a retired guy.
For a while there when it was first announced about three years ago that they would be replaced, there was no word on what weapons system would replace it.
It's good to know now that the F-15 Eagle II will continue the presence in PACAF with an upgraded version of the best fourth generation fighter in the world. ~
