The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. An array of avionics and electronics systems gives the F-15E the capability to fight at low altitude, day or night, and in all weather.

The aircraft has two crew members, a pilot and a weapon systems officer. Previous models of the F-15 are assigned air-to-air roles; the 'E' model is a strike attack aircraft with the capability to fight its way to a target over long ranges, destroy enemy ground positions and fight its way out. The 48^th FW is based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.