Airmen and F-15s from the 48th Fighter Wing host the first multi-day Point Blank exercise, Apr. 6 – 9, 2021. F-15E Strike Eagles and F-15C Eagles from RAF Lakenheath, England, F-16s from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, KC-135s from RAF Mildenhall, England, together with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Netherlands Air Force, will participate in Point Blank 21-02, designed to maintain ready forces capable of deterring any adversary and ensuring the collective defense of the NATO alliance.
More than 50 aircraft including F-15s, F-16s, KC-135s, Typhoons, Voyagers, E-3s, and F-35s will take to the skies over the North Sea for a high-end fight focused on fourth and fifth generation Defensive and Offensive Counter Air integration, as well as training against live surface-to-air threat emitters. Point Blank is a recurring, low-cost exercise initiative designed to increase tactical proficiency of U.S., U.K. Ministry of Defense, and other NATO forces.
The 48th Fighter Wing (48 FW) is part of the United States Air Force’s Third Air Force, assigned to Headquarters Air Command Europe and United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). It is based at RAF Lakenheath, England. The 48 FW is the only F-15 wing based in Europe and consists of both F-15C/D Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft. The 48 FW operates in support of United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa, United States European Command and NATO.
