RAF Lakenheath/Mildenhall Highlights - Karma 52 F-15E & KC-46A Pegasus

Highlights from visits to both RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall on Wednesday, October 28th 2026. The main highlight from Lakenheath was the appearance of the specially painted F-15E of the 494th Fighter Squadron. It represents a General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark of the then 494th Tactical Fighter Squadron piloted by Captain Fernando Ribas-Dominicci alongside his WSO, Captain Paul F. Lorence during Operation El Dorado Canyon, which was series of U.S strikes in Libya in 1986. Their aircraft, callsign Karma 52, was shot down off the coast of Libya over the Gulf of Sidra, resulting in the death of both crew members. They were the sole U.S casualties of the conflict though Libyan sources claim three aircraft shot down. Other highlights from Lakenheath include a further three F-15Es and six F-35As, totalling ten departures for the day. Highlights from RAF Mildenhall include the arrival of a KC-135R Stratotanker and the departure of a KC-46A Pegasus bound for McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. Timeline - 00:00 | (X4) F-15E Pre Takeoff Checks 03:51 | (X4) F-15E Taxi & Departure 06:16 | (X6) F-35A Pre Takeoff Checks 11:00 | (X6) F-35A Taxi & Departure 16:22 | AAC Apache AH.2 16:56 | (X2) F-35A Overflight 17:43 | (X2) F-15E (SJ Tails) on Hardstand 18:01 | KC-135R Landing & Taxi 21:18 | KC-135R Low Approach 22:21 | KC-46A Taxi & Departure 24:49 | Outro #aviation #aircraft #planespotting #usairforce #raflakenheath #48thfighterwing #rafmildenhall #100thairrefuelingwing #f15strikeeagle #f35lightning #kc135stratotanker #kc46pegasus