PORTLAND, Ore. — The first of 18 new F-15EX fighter jets coming to the Oregon Air National Guard base in Portland arrived Wednesday afternoon. The base is the first in the nation to receive the upgraded technology.
The F-15EX Eagle 2s are replacing the 1980s era F-15Cs that are currently in service at the base. The jet arrived just after 12:30 p.m., after making the flight from a Boeing factory in St. Louis.
“It’s got more power, better sensors, more weapons. It’s awesome,” said Major Knife Conner, who piloted the jet. “We are all extremely excited to get the jets here. It’s something we have been working on for years and years and years. The whole team is hundred and thousands of manhours, it feels like. To finally have the jet here, it’s awesome.”
The base will receive another jet in the next few weeks, with 12 more coming around the start of 2025. The final four jets will come over the next four years.
“We couldn’t be more humbled, couldn’t be more proud to be the first to house the F-15EX. As far as we know, it’s the first time in the Air National Guard’s history to be the first to get a brand-new major weapons system,” explained Colonel Mike Kosderka, Commander of the 142nd Wing.
The base will also be receiving major infrastructure upgrades, including updated hangers for the jets and a training facility.
“Once we get enough of them, every single day we will have jets on alert, to respond to any kind of asymmetric threat,” Kosderka explained.
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