US Air Force's first F-15EX unit trains for ground attack, drops 36 inert bombs

The U.S. Air Force's first operational unit equipped with the F-15EX Eagle II fighter jet has completed its initial air-to-ground training. In May 2026, the 142nd Wing, based in Oregon, conducted 10 missions at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, dropping a total of 36 inert training bombs. This milestone represents a crucial step in equipping the wing, traditionally focused on air superiority, with ground-attack capabilities.

The exercise involved dropping 24 inert BDU-50 bombs (500-pound class) and 12 inert BDU-56 bombs (2,000-pound class). No safety incidents were reported during these missions. This marks the first time an operational F-15EX unit has performed bomb drops since the aircraft was delivered to the unit.

Beyond simply dropping bombs, the training focused on establishing the necessary personnel and training systems for the wing to execute air-to-ground missions. Pilots and weapons load crews within the 142nd Wing, which previously operated the F-15C/D for air superiority, had to acquire new skills for ground-attack roles. Major Jesse Loya, one of the few pilots with prior ground-attack experience, helped design the conversion training course for F-15EX pilots. Meanwhile, weapons load personnel like Technical Sergeant Tyler Phelps underwent training with F-15E Strike Eagle units before returning to train their colleagues.

The BDU-50 and BDU-56 bombs used in the exercise are inert, meaning they contain no explosives. However, they accurately simulate the weight, shape, and ballistic characteristics of live munitions. This allows pilots and ground crews to familiarize themselves with weapons loading, release procedures, and safe separation protocols before engaging with live ordnance. The F-15EX boasts a maximum payload capacity of approximately 13.38 metric tons. While previous tests have demonstrated its capability to carry 12 AIM-120 air-to-air missiles or three AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM), this training signifies the initial development of its air-to-ground mission capabilities. The 142nd Wing is scheduled to proceed with live ordnance loading and drop training at Nellis Air Force Base in late August.

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The focus of this exercise was not just to drop bombs, but to establish the personnel and training systems required for an operational wing to conduct air-to-ground missions.