Beja Airshow 2024 to feature rare flight demonstrations by the US F-15E Strike Eagles and Romanian F-16 Fighting Falcons
The Beja International Airshow is scheduled to take place on June 1st and 2nd, 2024 and is expected to be an unforgettable event. Recently, the organizers have announced that two iconic fighter jets, the US F-15E Strike Eagles and Romanian F-16 Fighting Falcons, will perform rare flight demonstrations.
The US Air Force's F-15E Strike Eagles, which belong to the 48th Fighter Wing based at RAF Lakenheath, will participate in the airshow. These fighter jets are known to very rarely perform at airshows, especially in flying capacity. In fact, they usually only perform a single flypast at events in the UK. Therefore, seeing them in action at the Beja International Airshow 2024 will be a remarkable sight.
The second participant is the Romanian Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 53rd Fighter Squadron "Warhawks." The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft that has been successful worldwide, with over 4,600 aircraft built since production began in 1976. The Romanian Air Force currently operates a fleet of 20 F-16 Fighting Falcons, which are ex-Portuguese and Norwegian Air Force examples. The Romanian F-16s have only performed role demonstrations at events in Romania and have never performed outside of the country. Therefore, this will be their debut display, which is expected to be spectacular.
USAF F-15E Strike Eagles
The Beja International Airshow 2024 is an eagerly awaited aviation event that promises to be the biggest and best airshow in Portugal. It will feature an incredible lineup of exciting performers, including the Typhoon from the Spanish Air Force, the Patrouille Suisse aerobatic display team of the Swiss Air Force, the Hungarian Air Force Gripen, the Couteau Delta tactical demonstration team of the French Air and Space Force, and Patrula Aguila, the aerobatic display team of the Spanish Air and Space Force, to name the few.
This event is not just about thrilling aerial displays but also about showcasing advanced aviation technologies. Visitors can expect to witness military aircraft flybys and cutting-edge aviation demonstrations that highlight the latest advancements in aviation technology.
The Beja International Airshow 2024 is scheduled for June 1st and 2nd, 2024. It will take place in Beja, a beautiful city in Portugal. The airshow will provide an excellent opportunity for aviation enthusiasts to witness some of the best aviation has to offer. It will also be a fantastic chance for visitors to explore the stunning city of Beja and enjoy the local culture and cuisine.
So mark your calendars and make plans to attend the Beja International Airshow 2024. This event is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
US F-15E Strike Eagles
The F-15 Eagle is a highly regarded fighter aircraft that has been in operation with the United States Air Force (USAF) since the 1970s. McDonnell Douglas, now Boeing, developed the F-15 Eagle into the F-15E Strike Eagle, a swing-role fighter aircraft with enhanced capabilities. The F-15E was designed to be a two-seater attack aircraft that could operate in all weather conditions, day or night.
The F-15E Strike Eagle made its first flight in December 1986 and entered service with the USAF in April 1988. It was first used in combat during Operation 'Desert Storm', the 1991 Gulf conflict, where it proved to be a highly successful aircraft. The F-15E Strike Eagle has since been used in various operations in the Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Syria.
The F-15E Strike Eagle is a versatile aircraft capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. It has advanced avionics and weapon systems, including a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) system, laser-guided bombs, and air-to-air missiles. The F-15E Strike Eagle has a maximum speed of Mach 2.5 and a range of over 3,000 miles.
A total of 236 F-15E Strike Eagles were built for the USAF, and variants of the aircraft are also flown by Israel, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore. The 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath is the only location outside of the USA that has F-15Es. The 48th FW operates two squadrons of Strike Eagles: the 492nd Fighter Squadron, also known as the Madhatters or the Bolars, and the 494th Fighter Squadron, which is known as the Panthers.
Overall, the F-15E Strike Eagle is a powerful fighter aircraft that has proven to be highly capable in a range of missions. Its advanced avionics and weapon systems, along with its speed and range, make it an important asset for the USAF and its allies.
Romanian F-16 Fighting Falcons
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is an American single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft initially developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force (USAF). Its design was focused on air superiority and day fighting, but it has evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft, with over 4,600 units built since 1976. Although the USAF no longer purchases the aircraft, it is still being manufactured for export. In 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation, which then became part of Lockheed Martin after a merger with Martin Marietta in 1995
In 2013, the Romanian government signed a contract with the Portuguese government for the purchase of 12 F-16s, consisting of 9 single-seaters and 3 dual-seaters. The deliveries of these orders were completed between October 2016 and September 2017. This order was named the Peace Carpathian I order.
In January 2020, Romania procured an additional batch of five second-hand F-16 aircrafts from Portugal. All of these aircrafts were A-models, and were intended to supplement the existing fleet, bringing the total number of aircrafts to 17. The deliveries of these aircrafts commenced in August 2020.
In 2022, Romania signed a contract with Norway to purchase 32 of the 57 F-16 aircraft decommissioned by the Norwegian Air Force following the introduction of the advanced F-35A. This move is expected to enhance Romania's air force capabilities significantly. The Romanian Air Force currently operates 20 F-16A/B models, and the additional 29 fighters are yet to be delivered.
