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The Official F-15 Strike Eagle Handbook

by Richard Sheffield

Introduction


Mission Statement

777th Tactical Fighter Wing Eagle Rapid Deployment Team

To deploy rapidly, worldwide, in response to threats to national security interests. To successfully fly air interdiction missions, day or night, in all weather, alone or with other aircraft, against tactical and point targets, deep in enemycontrolled territory without the need for dedicated fighter escort.

Purpose and Scope. This handbook provides guidance for commissioned and flight-rated officers assigned to the Eagle Rapid Deployment Team (ERDT). A certain level of flight proficiency and professionalism is expected for those receiving this assignment, so some items may be covered in more detail than others. Historical background is discussed, as is the development of your aircraft, the F-15E Strike Eagle. Policy, practices, directives, and procedures common to the efficient operation of this aircraft in the accomplishment of your assigned mission are covered in some detail.

Explanation of Terms. Abbreviations and acronyms are used extensively throughout this handbook. They'll be defined or explained upon first use. See the end of this publication for a complete list of all abbreviations and acronyms.

Throughout this publication, aerospace and air are used interchangeably. The use of the term air should not be construed as the more limited definition of the aerospace medium.

Notes, Warnings, and Cautions. Items requiring extra attention are prefaced with one of the following statements throughout this handbook:

NOTE

Information that's important and essential to the completion of the mission.

CAUTION

Failure to heed this statement may result in minor personal injury or damage to equipment.

WARNING

Failure to heed this statement could result in severe personal injury, including mission failure or death.

Military Doctrine. Doctrine is defined as:

Fundamental principals by which the military forces or elements thereof guide their actions in support of national objectives. It is authoritative but requires judgment in application.

Aerospace doctrine is a statement of officially sanctioned beliefs and war-fighting principals that describe and guide the proper use of aerospace forces in military action. The Air Force promulgates and teaches this doctrine as a common frame of reference on the best way to prepare and employ aerospace forces.

Aerospace doctrine is an accumulation of knowledge that's gained primarily from the study and analysis of experience. As such, doctrine reflects what has usually worked best. These experiences may include actual combat operations as well as tests, exercises, or maneuvers. In those less frequent instances in which experience is lacking or is difficult to acquire (theater nuclear operations), doctrine may be developed through analysis of postulated actions.

Aerospace doctrine has grown from the need to establish common guidelines for military action. These guidelines are particularly important under the stress of combat. For example, if a subordinate is unable to communicate with his commander and follows the established doctrine, his actions will normally follow his commander's recommended course of action and support the larger scheme of operations. This example describes the prescriptive nature of doctrine, but it should be emphasized that doctrine provides a recommended course of action. It isn't mandatory. As stated, it requires “judgment in application.”

The Air Force has articulated aerospace doctrine at three different levels and depths of detail in the forms of Basic, Operational, and Tactical doctrine.

An example of this doctrine would be:

Basic Doctrine. An important goal in air warfare is to gain freedom of action in the air environment.

Operational Doctrine. An air commander employs forces to obtain air superiority by orchestrating offensive and defensive counter-air operations, suppressing enemy air defenses, and coordinating support actions.

Tactical Doctrine. F-15s fly sorties such as combat air patrol (CAP) in certain numbers and in certain formations. Tactical doctrine describes how CAP missions may be integrated with other weapons systems.

In your situation as a flying officer, you shouldn't have to concern yourself with Basic and Operational doctrine, as they'll be established and passed down from higher authority. Tactical doctrine, however is an immediate concern and will be the focus of this handbook.

Table of Contents
Previous Section: Preface
Next Section: Part I: Ground School