Burner Friday: Boeing F-15C Eagle Night Launch

Welcome back to Burner Friday, everyone! After last week’s hiatus due to the holiday, we wanted to rejoin in spectacular fashion, and this image definitely fits the bill.
This Boeing F-15C Eagle is one of the jets in the 433rd Weapons Squadron stable. Seen here taking off for a Weapons School Advanced Integration Phase sortie, the Light Gray is loaded with inert air-to-air missiles and two external fuel tanks, necessitating the use of full afterburner on takeoff–standard for a combat-configured jet.
We at FighterSweep have had good opportunities to spend time out in the EOR at Shaw, Nellis, and a few other places to capture the ear-splitting, mind-numbing sights and sounds of fighters taking off in the dark. When lit, the AB is extremely bright and the sound seems magnified, making it a visceral experience. The overpressure is certainly remarkable, almost nauseating if you’re standing particularly close to the runway.

All and all, a night launch something you need to experience at least once and if you have, you’ll probably find (as we do) it’s a pretty addicting environment to be in.
In the video above, you’ll see F-15Cs from the 71 FS “Ironmen” at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia on the move for some night training.
Enjoy!
(Featured Photo by Scott Wolff)