In mid october, the 494th "Panthers" were depolyed to the Middel east, they depolyed 12 jets. one of them being 96-0201 "HELLCAT" the 494ths flagship jet (91-0314) was not depolyed so 0201 was named "PANTHER ONE" for the duration of the depolyment, and had it ingraved in her tail flash. 0201 is the 48th Fighter wings flagship F-15E, during the 494ths tour in the middel east they were tasked with striking mutiple high value syrian targets, while on depolyment the 494th FGS and their DCCs painted their 12 F-15Es with different nose arts, and name plates aswell as kill markings. 96-0201 was named "HELLCAT" as it has always been named, aswell as getting painted a Fire-breahting cat. Towards the end of the 494ths tour, there depolyment was extend with a iranian attack planned on isreal. the 494th toghther with the 335th, RAF and RJAF shot down mutiple cruise missiles and drones. In start may the 494th returned home, where 0201 had 9 Red AIM-9Xs to mark drone kills. and 26 bomb marki
