8/10/2012 - Mike Sheppard and John Davis, aircraft mechanics, remove a panel under an F-15 for an inspection at functional test. F-15 Functional Test is the last stop for the aircraft going through maintenance. After it passes flight checks and a test flight, it is sent to be painted and then back to the unit to which it belongs. (U. S. Air Force photo/Sue Sapp)

8/10/2012 - Derrick Schultz, aircraft mechanic, stands at the rear of a functional test bay to watch an F-15 launch for a test flight. (U. S. Air Force photo/Sue Sapp)

8/10/2012 - Maj. Christopher "Torch" Coddington, 339th Flight Test Squadron, runs an F-15 through pre-flight tests at functional test. (U. S. Air Force photo/Sue Sapp)

8/10/2012 - Mechanics work in concert with test flight pilots to certify aircraft as worthy to return to the fight. (U. S. Air Force photo/Sue Sapp)

8/10/2012 - An F-15 taxies to the Robins runway for a test flight. (U. S. Air Force photo/Misuzu Allen)

8/10/2012 - Mechanic Gregory Westberg enters the cockpit during the F-15 Functional Test. (U. S. Air Force photo/Misuzu Allen)

8/10/2012 - Majs. Christopher "Torch" Coddington and Stephen "Ritalin" D'Amico, 339th Flight Test Squadron pilots, communicate with John Kieweg, F-15 Functional Test Flight Chief, during pre-flight tests at F-15 Functional Test.(U. S. Air Force photo/Misuzu Allen)