A U.S. Air Force F-15E Eagle is given a final check before proceeding to the runway for takeoff at R.A.F. Mildenhall, England, on Oct. 1, 1998. The Eagle is deploying to a forward location as part of the four air expeditionary wings the U.S. Air Force has formed in support of possible NATO contingency operations in Kosovo. The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. The aircraft belongs to the 492nd Fighter Squadron, R.A.F. Lakenheath, England.