494th Fighter Squadron “Panthers” McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle “Clawin Kitty”

This MACAIR F-15E Strike Eagle from the 494th Fighter Squadron “Panthers” was deployed to Jordan supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. On the night of 13-14 April 2024, this and numerous other F-15Es from the Panthers were launched and created a Wall of Eagles across Jordan and Syria after the Iranian Republican Guard launched over 300 suicide drones, cruise and ballistic missiles at Israel. The 494th fired AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X air to air missiles at the incoming drones and cruise missiles, downing over 60 of them.

This F-15E participated in the Defensive Counter Air or DCA mission that night intercepting suicide drones/UAVs and cruise missile and is credited with shooting down eleven vehicles that night as noted by the eleven red AIM-9X and drone symbols under the windscreen.