Review

Reviewed by Phil Novak

The latest aviation title from Osprey comes in the way of most recent history. Covering the F-15C/E units of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The book begins with a brief coverage of the systems aboard an F-15. Things such as radar and Infrared pods are dealt with here.

The history begins with F-15s before OIF, enforcing the no fly zones in southern and northern Iraq. The author discusses some interesting points here, namely the methods that the Iraqis would use to try and lure F-15s into SAM rings. The actual action of OIF is started with F-15s based at Al Udeid airfield, known to the crews as the 'dirty deid' for the sand that got into everything.

The next two chapters relate tales of pilots actions in familiarizing themselves with strike capabilities, and the introduction of new equipment. Next comes stories of when the pilots began actual strike missions highlighting the exceptionally long legs of the F-15 Strike Eagle, allowing it to fly to extremely distant targets with only needing to refuel in-flight once or twice. The book does an excellent job of conveying how F-15s were used throughout the conflict, and the variety of missions flown. The book concludes with some great line drawings, standard in the combat aircraft series. Also the color plates in the center are of high quality.