BD Crew,

Here is a great example of what squadrons are trying to discern in potential candidates. They are looking for someone who has the aptitude and mental fortitude to handle weird situations like this. This Strike Eagle crew flew approx 9 hours across the Indian Ocean and SCS, then executed a landing WITHOUT a main landing gear. Crazy!

https://www.defensenews.com/air/2025/08/06/kadena-to-inspect-f-15es-after-fighter-landed-without-wheel/

defensenews.com

Kadena to inspect F-15Es after fighter landed without wheel

An F-15E Strike Eagle that took off from Diego Garcia on Monday discovered mid-flight that one of its wheels was missing.