Seymour Johnson Will Get F-15EXs to Replace Some Strike Eagles

The Air Force plans to put new F-15EX Eagle II fighters at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., to replace older F-15E Strike Eagles that will move to Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo.

Air Force Sec. Troy Meink confirmed plans to station the F-15EX at Seymour Johnson in a letter to Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., which Budd released Aug. 20. The EXs would be procured through the fiscal 2027 budget, Meink said, though he cautioned that would depend on lawmakers authorizing and appropriating funds to buy the jets.

And Meink pledged not to transfer Seymour Johnson’s F-15Es until after their replacement F-15EXs arrive, so there would not be any gap in the base’s fighter missions.

“While Air Force fleetwide delivery schedules depend on aircraft production and congressional appropriations, the Air Force has no plans to reduce Seymour Johnson’s F-15 missions without replacement aircraft already in place,” Meink wrote to Budd.

Budd applauded Meink’s confirmation that Seymour Johnson will receive the F-15EX aircraft, and said it is “an important step toward ensuring America maintains its air dominance.”

Seymour Johnson’s 4th Fighter Wing has an operations group made up of six squadrons—two operational F-15E fighter squadrons, two F-15E formal training units, an operations support squadron, and another training squadron.

“The 4th Fighter Wing has operated at a significantly high operational tempo, including deployments to the Middle East and the Pacific, demonstrating the critical role Seymour Johnson plays in defending our nation,” Budd wrote. “The base is also the primary training ground for Air Force F-15 pilots and home to two operational F-15E squadrons, currently deployed to undisclosed locations in Southwest Asia in support of Operation Epic Fury.”

The Air Force plans to move 24 F-15Es from Seymour Johnson to Whiteman at some point in the future to replace that base’s retiring A-10 Warthogs. 

In his letter, Meink said the final decision on basing F-15Es at Whiteman’s 442nd Fighter Wing, a reserve unit, is expected in fall 2028.

An Air Force spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine last month that the service expects Whiteman’s new F-15E mission will reach Initial Operational Capability in 2032 and Full Operational Capability in 2034.

Meink emphasized the Air Force’s commitment to maintaining Seymour Johnson’s F-15 missions, both training and operationally.

“Any future movement of aircraft would occur only after Seymour Johnson receives replacement F-15EX aircraft, ensuring there is no gap in its operational or training missions,” Meink wrote.