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→Combat History
In 1981, Israeli Eagles provided escort for the successful attack on the Osirak nuclear reactor in [[Iraq]].
In 1981, Israeli Eagles provided escort for the successful attack on the Osirak nuclear reactor in [[Iraq]].
===Saudi Arabia===
The Royal Saudi Air Force purchased 52 F-15s for air defense in 1983. In consideration of Israeli concerns, the planes were made less capable, particularly against US-made weapons systems, before delivery.
During the [[Iran-Iraq War]], tensions in the area were high. On June 5, 1983, two Iranian [[F-4|Phantom]]s were scrambled to attack shipping on the Saudi side of the [[Persian Gulf]]. They were detected by a USAF AWACS, and 2 Saudi F-15s were sent to intercept. When the Phantoms were over the southern Gulf, and still heading south, the Eagles engaged with Sparrow missiles, downing one and seriously damaging the other.<ref name="MyFirstRef">F-15C Eagle Units in Combat, by Steve Davies, Osprey Publishing, 2005</ref>
===United States===
===United States===
The F-15's combat debut with the [[USAF|US Air Force]] was in the [[Gulf War]]. On the first night of Desert Storm, January 17, 1991, Eagle pilot Captain John Kelk shot down a Mig-29 with a Sparrow missile for the first air-to-air victory of the war. Eagles downed five more Iraqi planes that night (two more Mig-29s and three Mirages), all with Sparrow missiles. 2 days later, Eagles scored a further six victories. By the end of the war, US Air Force Eagles had shot down 31 Iraqi aircraft, 26 of them fighters, for no losses.<ref>F-15C Eagle Units in Combat, by Steve Davies, Osprey Publishing, 2005</ref> After the war, F-15s enforced the no-fly zones over northern and southern Iraq.
The F-15's combat debut with the [[USAF|US Air Force]] was in the [[Gulf War]]. On the first night of Desert Storm, January 17, 1991, Eagle pilot Captain John Kelk shot down a Mig-29 with a Sparrow missile for the first air-to-air victory of the war. Eagles downed five more Iraqi planes that night (two more Mig-29s and three Mirages), all with Sparrow missiles. 2 days later, Eagles scored a further six victories. By the end of the war, US Air Force Eagles had shot down 31 Iraqi aircraft, 26 of them fighters, for no losses.<ref name="MyFirstRef"/> After the war, F-15s enforced the no-fly zones over northern and southern Iraq.
== See also==
== See also==