In first, Oregon Guard F-15EXs drop live bombs

The Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Wing released live weapons from operational F-15EX Eagle II fighters for the first time during a three-week deployment to Nellis Air Force Base. Photographs from August 27 show aircraft carrying 500-pound Mk-82 bombs on the centreline station and AN/AAQ-33 Sniper targeting pods, although the Air Force did not disclose the number dropped. The event followed May training at Mountain Home in which the unit released 24 BDU-50 and 12 BDU-56 inert practice bombs across ten missions. The milestone advances the former F-15C air-superiority unit toward an air-to-ground role as it converts to the F-15EX.