The F-15 “FrankenEagle” flew its first sortie since returning to the “Edge of the Spear” Squadron on February 19, 2017
The F-15 “FrankenEagle” of the Israeli Air Force (IAF), which was seriously damaged in an emergency landing after being attacked by a flock of pelicans in June 2011, on February 19, 2017, the aircraft flew for the first time since returning to the “Edge of the Spear” Squadron after a lengthy restoration process that resulted in the refurbished aircraft’s first flight in the autumn of 2016.
Pilot Lt. Col. Rotem, who was ironically the mishap pilot during the bird strike, flew the Baz (Falcon, as the F-15 Eagle, is known by the IAF).
“The aircraft is back in the playground and has become an operational aircraft in the IAF. It proved excellent capabilities in aerial combat, flew and maneuvered like the first time I flew it before the accident. You can feel its soul”, pointed out Lt. Col. Rotem, a few minutes after landing. “Last time the aircraft landed in the squadron it was an emergency landing after which the aircraft was defined as a ‘total loss’. Taking this jet for its first sortie was a challenge for the squadron’s technical department. We were able to take off for the first sortie thanks to them and their hard work”.
The absence of the aircraft was felt by the personnel of the “Edge of the Spear” Squadron.
As a result, they were ecstatic to watch it taxi from the squadron to the runway and take off again.
“’Baz’ 122 is an incredible combination, a testimony of the IDF and IAF’s greatness. What started as an unexpected, serious accident that was met by a very high level of professionalism displayed by the aircrew who managed to land the aircraft, ended, to my great pleasure, with a border-crossing project pushed by many elements to return the aircraft to the order of power”, said Lt. Col. Ilan, Commander of the “Edge of the Spear” Squadron. “Working on the jet helped us learn about the ‘Baz’ from the inside and the IAF will use the knowledge we gathered in this project in order to renovate and begin operating the double-seat F-15 jets that arrived from the U.S last year and that will be integrated into the Israeli ‘Baz’ squadrons”.
Photo by Mor Tzidon and Adar Yahalom via Israeli Air Force website
