F-15EX commemorates 1975 Streak Eagle flights
February 24, 2025
Our coverage of the actual anniversary is at: https://aerospaceglobalnews.com/news/silver-anniversary-of-the-streak-eagle/
At the height of the so-called Cold War, the Streak Eagle’s record breaking flights were intended to send a clear message to the Soviet Union, by demonstrating the USAF’s technological superiority. The original Streak Eagle was stripped of paint and non-essential equipment, reducing airframe weight by 1,800-lb.
During the 50th anniversary event on Thursday, 20 February, 319th Reconnaissance Wing Vice Commander Col. Bishane Whitmore told the crowd that the project had been intended to demonstrate America’s air superiority, to counter advanced Soviet MiG fighters, and show the Russians – and the world – “how fast and how lethal our force was.” This was intended as a psychological tool in what was a strategy of integrated deterrence.
An F-15EX Eagle II (20-005) from the 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida arrived at Grand Forks on Wednesday, 19 February for the base’s 50th anniversary celebration of the Streak Eagle’s record breaking flights.
One of the F-15EX crew was Lt Col Matt Russel, director of operations at the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base. He said that: “It’s cool to be part of it, that [aircraft] was setting records 50 years ago and we’re still flying that model. It’s cool to be chosen to be part of the anniversary.”
On 20 February 2025 the F-15EX formed part of a static display celebrating three record-breaking aircraft at Grand Forks Air Force Base. It was shown alongside an RQ-4 Global Hawk (which stayed aloft for 34.8 hours In April 2024, using innovative fuel technology) and a Rockwell B-1B Lancer, a type which set 12 time-to-climb records, breaking Soviet records. The Global Hawk is permanently based at Grand Forks, while B-1Bs are temporarily based there while Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City, South Dakota receives an extensive runway upgrade.
These records were not just milestones in aeronautics, “but symbols of Air Force dominance,” Whitmore explained.
On 21 February, the F-15EX performed an unrestricted climb at Grand Forks Air Force Base, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Project Streak Eagle. The Eagle II has more powerful engines than the original Streak Eagle, but was laden with underwing fuel tanks and a centreline pod, so record-breaking was never on the cards!
