DefenseUS Air Force resumes F-15EX Eagle II deliveries after strike disruption
Boeing resumed deliveries of the F-15EX Eagle II to US Air Force after a prolonged interruption caused by labor action at Boeing’s Missouri facility.
A strike at Boeing’s St. Louis production site from August 4 to November 17 halted the assembly line for the F-15EX, causing significant delays to the Air Force’s fighter modernization schedule. The disruption affected the planned transition from legacy F-15C/D models to the newer Eagle II platform.
F-15EX unit 14 was delivered on August 19, followed by unit 15 on November 16. The sixteenth aircraft arrived less than three weeks later, demonstrating accelerated post-strike recovery. “The rapid turnaround highlights the strength and dedication of the joint government and industry team,” said Col. Jessica Kashka, F-15EX Program Manager.
The F-15EX Eagle II is central to the Air Force’s strategy to replace aging fighter aircraft and maintain operational readiness. “Their success ensures that the nation’s warfighters receive the advanced capabilities of the F-15EX, reinforcing the Air Force’s commitment to maintaining a ready and lethal force,” added Col. Kashka.
Four-month strike
On November 13, approximately 3,200 Boeing Defense workers ratified a new five-year contract, concluding a strike that had suspended military aircraft production for over three months in Missouri and Illinois. The agreement includes a 24% cumulative wage increase and a $6,000 signing bonus, enabling employees to return and resume work on multiple defense programs.
The strike, led by members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837, began after the rejection of Boeing’s prior contract terms, primarily over pay and benefits. The resulting production backlog affected not only the F-15EX but other Boeing defense products as well.
Boeing’s defense facilities in the St. Louis area serve as the primary manufacturing site for the F-15EX. The Eagle II is intended to replace the F-15C/D fleet, which has been in service since the late 1970s. Prior to the labor action, the Air Force had been receiving new F-15EX units on a regular schedule as part of its ongoing fleet recapitalization.
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