2009 Programs and Events
U.S. F-15 Fighter Jets Fly Over Daugava River
On Saturday, August 22, the United States sent special greetings to Riga on the occasion of its 808th birthday – two United States Air Force F-15 fighter jets flew over the city.
Before the flyover, Latvian and Riga City Officials had the opportunity to view the planes during a static display at Riga’s airport. A number of attendees, including defense Minister Imants Liegis, Commander of the National Armed Forces Juris Maklakovs and Riga City Mayor Nils Usakovs, were able to observe the fighter jets and meet the two pilots from the U.S. Air Force Europe’s 493th Squadron who conducted the flyover. The lead pilot in the flyover has previously flown in the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission
The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter jet. F-15 aircraft served in 1991 in support of Operation Desert Storm, where they proved their superior combat capability. They have since been deployed for air expeditionary force deployments and operations Southern Watch (no-fly zone in Southern Iraq), Provide Comfort in Turkey, Allied Force in Bosnia, Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom in Iraq.