During the 1960's and in Vietnam the U.S. military realized the F-4 Phantom II was barely able to cope with the Soviet aircraft and began looking for a newer faster and air dominance aircraft. The Air Force rejected the F-14 and a contract was awarded to McDonnell Douglas to produce the required aircraft. With this came the birth of the TF-15A Eagle. The first TF-15A delivered to an operational unit was 73-0108 for the 555th TFTS/58th TTW. Depending on the source there were between 58 and 62 TF-15A/F-15B's built.
The F-15B was originally designated McDonnell Douglas TF-15A in the early 1970's. Aircraft 71- 0291 was the second two-seater variant produced. It made its first flight on October 18, 1973 and was re-designated an F-15B on December 1, 1977. Over time the aircraft was used to develop the FAST PACK (conformal fuel tanks) used on the F-15E and made world-wide sales tours. One stop in 1976 was the Farnborough Air Show wearing a paint scheme to celebrate the 1976 American Bicentennial. 71-0291's career ended as a Battle Damage Repair trainer.