The United States Air Force 492nd Fighter Squadron (aka 'the Madhatters') is part of the 48th Fighter Wing, based at England's RAF Lakenheath Air Base. The squadron operates McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagles (and a mid-aged variant of the Eagle family between the aging F-15C/Ds and the modern F-15EX Strike Eagle IIs ). If a conflict with direct US involvement was to break out in the Middle East now, it is very possible this squadron would see action.
The 492nd Fighter Squadron The 492nd Fighter Squadron is a combat-ready unit that can be deployed anywhere in the world (and, as of the time of writing, has been deployed to the Middle East as a deterrent to Iran). The squadron can execute strategic attack, interdiction, and counter-air missions with its F-15Es using all the Air Force's air superiority and surface-attack munitions. 48th Fighter Wing fighter jet squadrons: Aircraft type: Nickname: 492nd Fighter Squadron F-15E Strike Eagle The Madhatters 493rd Fighter Squadron F-35A Lightning II The Grim Reapers 494th Fighter Squadron F-15E Strike Eagle The Panthers 495th Fighter Squadron F-35A Lightning II The Valkyries While designed as a Royal Air Force (RAF) station, England's Lakenheath only hosts US Air Force units and military personnel.
The host of the base is the 48th Fighter Wing which has two F-15E Strike Eagle squadrons and two F-35A Lightning II squadrons. History of the Madhatters The 492nd Fighter Squadron was activated on 15 January 1941–11 months before the U.