F-15C Eagle Albatross or Bird of Prey

<p>In an era of declining budgets reduced force structure and lessened air threat our smaller force must be more flexible and bring more to the fight. A careful look of all our single-mission platforms must be made if we are to expect to retain the capability to decisively win our nation's wars. Specifically the Air Force can benefit by examining the F-15C and its single role. It should determine if the F-15C can do more than just shoot down aircraft and if so should it? Recent combat successes highlight two essential ingredients to winning an air campaign air superiority and precision engagement. Gaining air superiority provides a sanctuary from which precision engagement can be accomplished. These experiences have also shown our emphasis to gain ownership of the sky early in a conflict. The F-15C has played a major role in gaining control of the sky over the years. Questions now remain regarding the usefulness of the F-15C once air superiority is achieved. Could this aircraft have contributed more in other roles during the recent conflicts? What should F-15C provide in future conflicts once air superiority is achieved or in lesser intense conflicts where ownership of the sky is not an issue. The F-15C was originally designed with an air-to-ground capability but a conscious decision was made to train exclusively in the air-to-air role due to the Soviet threat.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>