Capt. Lacie Hester and Maj. Benjamin Coffey

F-15E Pilot and WSO shoot down dozens of drones in one night

In World War II, Germany terrorized England with V-1 Buzz Bombs, which were intercepted by Spitfires and Mosquitos. In April 2024, Iran launched over 300 drones and rockets at Israel. Launching from England, Hester and Coffey raced to the fight and battled all night. They downed drone after drone with their F-15E until their missiles were gone, then shredded the rest with the 20mm cannon in old-school dogfighting. Dodging falling debris and landing with a hung rocket, they completed a spectacular mission.

Both received the Silver Star. Capt. Lacie Hester became the first woman in U.S. Air Force history to earn it. Their skill and valor stand as a powerful example of American Exceptionalism and the unmatched ferocity of the F-15 Eagle. Valor is in you. Set it free.