In 1967 the U.S. became aware of the Soviet MiG-25 Foxbat. This made it necessary to develop a new aircraft to counter the MiG-25. The USAF rejected the USN F-14 Tomcat and issued its own requirements. The solution came in the form of the McDonnell-Douglas (now Boeing) F-15 Eagle. The F-15A made its inaugural flight in July 1972 and in January 1976 the first Eagle entered service. The "E" entered service in 1989. The F-15 was the first dedicated USAF air superiority fighter since the F-86 Sabre.

While assigned to the 53rd Fighter Squadron, 36th Fighter Wing F-15C MSN 0936/C328 was credited with shooting down two MiG-23s trying to escape Iraq for Iran. On January 27, 1991 Captain Jay “Op” Denney used AIM-9Ms to bring the aircraft down. It was decided to try a third different paint scheme on the F-15 called Mod Eagle. This new scheme replaced the second scheme called Compass Ghost Grey. The first scheme was called Air Superior Blue that was short lived and only making it onto a prototype, preproduction and a few production aircraft.