The 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman AFB will transition from A-10 Warthogs to 24 F-15E Strike Eagles, with the first jets scheduled to arrive in Fiscal Year 2031. Whiteman was named the sole candidate location for the AFRC F-15E mission, preserving the wing’s tactical flying role. The change signals a wider reshuffle of the F-15 fleet as the Air Force expands its F-15EX inventory and considers reallocating older F-15Es to Reserve and Guard units. Congressional actions and potential A-10 service extensions could affect the timeline.
Whiteman’s 442nd To Replace A-10s With 24 F-15Es — A Signal Of Wider F-15 Realignment
The U.S. Air Force Reserve's 442nd Fighter Wing is now set to transition to the F-15E Strike Eagle after retiring the last of its A-10 Warthog ground attack jets.
The U.S. Air Force Reserve's 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base will transition from the A-10 Warthog to 24 F-15E Strike Eagles, preserving the wing’s tactical flying mission after years of uncertainty. Representative Mark Alford (R-Mo.) announced the basing decision, which the Department of the Air Force has approved as the sole candidate location for the AFRC F-15E mission. The first aircraft are expected to arrive in Fiscal Year 2031.
A-10s assigned to the 442nd Fighter Wing seen at Truax Field in Madison, Wisconsin, during an exercise in 2025.USAF
What The Announcement Says
According to a press release from Rep. Alford’s office, the Department of the Air Force approved the enterprise definition, site survey criteria, and candidate location for the AFRC F-15E basing action. The decision identifies Whiteman AFB as the only candidate site for the F-15E mission, and the transfer is framed as a way to secure the 442nd’s future and retain critical combat capability in the Air Force Reserve.
A heavily laden F-15E Strike Eagle on a combat mission somewhere in the Middle East.USAF
Why This Matters
The move secures a long-term tactical flying mission and protects jobs at Whiteman, a base best known for hosting the Air Force’s B-2 bomber force. It also signals a larger reshaping of the Air Force’s fighter fleet: as newer F-15EX procurement ramps up, older F-15Es could be redistributed to reserve and guard units to replace retiring A-10s and aging F-16s.
An F-15EX Eagle II and an F-15E Strike Eagle, side by side, at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.USAF
Where The F-15Es Will Come From
Production of the original F-15E Strike Eagle ended years ago and the Air Force currently fields roughly ~212 F-15Es. To equip the 442nd, Strike Eagles will likely be reassigned from existing active-duty units and test squadrons. Today, F-15E squadrons operate from Seymour-Johnson AFB (NC), Mountain Home AFB (ID), and RAF Lakenheath (UK), among other locations.
A quartet of F-15EX Eagle IIs.USAF
Fleet Composition And Strain
The F-15E inventory includes older airframes with Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 engines and later examples with the more powerful F100-PW-229. Years of intense operational use have strained the fleet; this year’s combat operations tied to Iran resulted in the loss of four F-15Es, adding pressure to recapitalization plans.
An A-10 seen on a sortie in support of Operation Epic Fury against Iran earlier this year.CENTCOM
Timeline, Politics, And Legislative Caveats
The Air Force adjusted its A-10 divestment timeline, extending Warthog operations through 2030. Congress has already blocked any Strike Eagle retirements through at least September 2027, and lawmakers are also considering further extensions for the A-10. A bipartisan bill dubbed the BRRRRT Act would, if enacted, require A-10 operations through Fiscal Year 2033.
“This outcome reflects what can happen when a community comes together, when our military leaders listen, and when we work toward a shared goal,” Rep. Mark Alford said after the announcement. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe thanked local and federal leaders for helping to secure the mission.
How The F-15EX Factors In
The Air Force plans to expand its F-15EX Eagle II fleet from about 129 to 267 aircraft. Recapitalizing frontline F-15E squadrons with new EXs would free existing Strike Eagles for reassignment to Reserve and Air National Guard units — a move that could preserve air-to-ground mission sets such as close air support and forward air control after the A-10 retires.
What Comes Next
The 442nd’s transition is several years away and remains contingent on detailed planning, regulatory steps, aircraft availability, and potential congressional actions. The decision to station F-15Es at Whiteman appears to be the opening chapter of a broader realignment of where the Air Force will base legacy Strike Eagles and incoming F-15EX aircraft.
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