Qatar Air Force pilots conduct familiarization flights with USAF F-15E Strike Eagles

The mission aims to prepare Qatari officers for the arrival of their F-15QA combat aircraft.

Qatari Emiri Air Force Mirage 2000s and Rafales fly in formation over Doha, Qatar, alongside U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles. This flight was conducted to familiarize Qatari pilots with the USAF F-15E prior to their F-15QA arrival.

U.S. Air Forces Central Command conducted a bi-lateral key leader engagement known as the Qatar-AFCENT Friendship Event Aug. 23-24, 2020, at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.

The event brought together members of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, 332d AEW and the Qatar Emiri Air Force in a continued commitment to maintaining a strong relationship between the U.S. and Qatar.

During the event, Qatari and U.S. pilots, weapon systems officers, and maintainers learned about the F-15QA, a dual-role fighter and the most advanced version of the F-15 Eagle to date. Together, crews engaged in mission planning before the U.S. pilots took Qatari leadership on an F-15E Strike Eagle familiarization flight.

“It’s exciting we were able to get out here and fly F-15 Strike Eagles with the Qatar Emiri Air Force and help set conditions for their first aircraft deliveries next summer,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Koscheski, U.S. AFCENT deputy commander. “This event allowed us to establish a good cross talk about what it means to employ such a versatile aircraft and demonstrates our strong partnership as we find better ways to enhance training, integrate capabilities and build capacity.”

The event also allowed U.S. members to tour and learn about the Mirage and Rafale fighter jets, which have served as the core of Qatar’s fighter fleet prior to its acquisition of the F-15QA.

Qatar bought 36 F-15QAs with staged delivery by summer 2021 and committed to developing Al Udeid AB to accommodate F-15’s and other fighter jets

After returning from his F-15E familiarization flight, The Commander of the Qatar Emiri Air Force, Staff MG Pilot Salem Bin Hamad Al-Nabet, beamed.

“I have to say it is one of the best aircraft,” said the fighter pilot. “It’s a powerful aircraft that I hope to fly myself next time. It will serve as the backbone of my Air Force and I am looking forward to its delivery.”

Source: 379th AEW Public Affairs

Images: USAF/Staff Sgt. Justin Parsons