Operational F-15EX fighters just dropped live bombs for the first time, and the Air Force now wants 267 of them in the fleet.
Story Highlights
- Oregon Air National Guard F-15EX jets dropped live bombs at Nellis Air Force Base.
- Air Force leaders plan to expand the F-15EX fleet from 129 to 267 aircraft.
- Photos show an F-15EX taxiing with a live bomb on August 27, 2026.
- The milestone happened during three weeks of Weapons Instructor Course training.
Live Weapons Milestone Reached By An Operational Unit
Oregon Air National Guard airmen flew F-15EX Eagle II fighters at Nellis Air Force Base in late August and early September. The unit dropped live bombs during a three-week deployment that supported the United States Air Force Weapons Instructor Course. Air Force imagery documents the event and calls it a historic first for operational F-15EX aircraft. The 142nd Wing said the step moves the jet toward full air-to-ground mission capability under real-world conditions at a premier range complex.
Air Force photographs show an F-15EX on the Nellis flight line with a live bomb mounted under the fuselage on August 27, 2026. The images confirm that operational crews, not only test units, are now training with live munitions. The Oregon team described the effort as part of building a new multirole skill set for the Eagle II. Leaders framed the drop as a necessary phase in turning a proven air-to-air platform into a reliable strike asset for combatant commanders.
What The F-15EX Brings To The Fight
Program advocates highlight the jet’s payload and magazine depth. The F-15EX can carry heavy loads on many hardpoints and is designed to haul large numbers of air-to-air missiles alongside precision bombs. That mix gives commanders options when facing massed drones, cruise missiles, or tight timelines. The aircraft’s speed, range, and two-seat cockpit support fast kills and quick reattacks. This milestone shows the Air Force is training to use those strengths in daily operations, not only in tests.
Weapons Instructor Course support matters because it pairs frontline crews with the service’s top tactics experts. In that setting, pilots and maintainers practice loading, employing, and debriefing live weapons from start to finish. That process builds trust in the jet and the team. It also produces tactics updates that spread across the force. The Oregon Wing said this step is required before declaring full strike capability, marking a clear path from delivery to combat readiness.
Planned Expansion From 129 To 267 Aircraft
Air Force budget plans now call for growing the F-15EX fleet to 267 aircraft, more than doubling the previous plan of 129. Reporting on the fiscal year 2027 request states the service aims to buy additional Eagle IIs to strengthen capacity and refresh aging squadrons. Analysts describe the shift as a major turn in fighter planning. The larger buy pairs with recent sustainment contracts that keep the Eagle line active for years, boosting readiness and parts flow across the enterprise.
U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II Fighter Jet Drops First Live Bomb as New Strike Role Expands pic.twitter.com/NcXChlWyLy
— Army Recognition (@ArmyRecognition) September 13, 2026
This expansion aligns with a broader push to rebuild credible deterrence through strength. A bigger F-15EX fleet adds capacity without waiting years for new designs to mature. The jet’s common heritage with earlier Eagles eases training and maintenance for Guard and active units. That lowers risk and speeds results. After years of stretched forces and heavy global demands, this plan signals a return to basics: put more capable fighters on the ramp, keep them flying, and load them for bear.
Why This Matters For Security And Taxpayers
China and Iran-backed groups are fielding more missiles and drones. Commanders need aircraft that can launch fast, carry a lot, and land ready to rearm again. The F-15EX’s payload and growth capacity fit that need. Using Guard units to field new capability also respects local experience and keeps talent in uniform. The live-bomb milestone shows the program is moving from talk to real use. The planned fleet growth gives industry the demand signal to deliver at scale and on time.
What Comes Next In The Fielding Timeline
Next steps include expanding live-weapons training to more squadrons, refining tactics for mixed air-to-air and strike loads, and certifying additional bombs and missiles. Instructors will fold lessons from Nellis into courseware and checklists. Maintainers will lock in loading steps and fault fixes under real timelines. That cycle builds the muscle memory units need before combat tasking. The Oregon Wing’s progress marks a standard but vital step on the road to full operational capability.
Sources:
19fortyfive.com, migflug.com, theaviationist.com, dvidshub.net, aerotime.aero
