Master recently embedded with the based at RAF Lakenheath in England to capture day-to-day operations of the famed F-15C/D Eagle unit. The results of which are the series of haunting photos laid out below.

The Grim Reapers are the only dedicated USAF air superiority squadron forward deployed to Europe and their F-15C/Ds have been very busy since Russia invaded Crimea over a year and a half ago. The Grim Reapers’ roots date back to World War II and they were on the front lines of the Cold War flying various aircraft types.

In 1986, the squadron put their . Over a decade later, the squadron scored a whopping four kills against Serbian MiG-29s during

Today, the squadron remains the “tip of the spear” of American air power in Europe and has been extremely active training with NATO allies under . Even though the squadron is striving, it’s slated to be deactivated sometime in the not-so-distant future. The two F-15E squadrons that serve alongside the Grim Reapers at Lakenheath as part of the 48th Fighter Wing will continue to operate after the Grim Reapers have gone. As such, these very well may be the twilight years for the famed squadron, at least as we know it today. Two F-35A squadrons are supposed to be activated at RAF Lakenheath around the year 2020, but like all things F-35, this could change and there is no certainty that they will take up the Grim Reapers’ name and lore.

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Bonus! Below are some shots of the 48th Fighter Wing’s F-15Es blasting out of RAF Lakenheath on night training missions.

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