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.

A Boeing F-15C Eagle from the 433rd Weapons Squadron takes off from Nellis AFB, Nevada for a night training mission.
A Boeing F-15C Eagle from the 433rd Weapons Squadron takes off from Nellis AFB, Nevada for a night training mission.

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)

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