RAF LAKENHEATH: US Liberty Wing F-35 Celebrates One Year Anniversary In the UK

The 48th Fighter Wing recently marked the one year anniversary of the arrival of the first F-35A Lightning IIs at Royal Air Force Lakenheath in the United Kingdom.

The F-35 is the most advanced 5th generation fighter aircraft in the world and brings a number of game-changing capabilities to the United States Air Force and its partner nations.

The arrival of the F-35 last year was the result of a force posture adjustment that has been six years in the making.

Announced in 2015, the long-anticipated arrival of the F-35 marks RAF Lakenheath as the first base in the United States Air Forces in Europe to receive the new fifth-generation aircraft.

The commander of the US Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa, General Jeff Harrigian, said at the time: “Our coalition forces train and fight in the most dynamic theatre, requiring the most advanced platforms.

"The Valkyries are leading our F-35 integration across Europe. We’ve come a long way, and now we’re extending our reach as a coalition force and what we will accomplish together."

RAF Lakenheath was selected in 2015 to host the first US F-35A squadrons in Europe based on very close ties with the RAF, existing infrastructure, and combined training opportunities.

The UK is a critical component in training and combat readiness for Air Forces in Europe due to its excellent airspace and F-35 program partnership.

The F-35A is an agile, versatile, high-performance, 9g-capable multirole fighter that combines stealth, sensor fusion and unprecedented situational awareness.

The aircraft will belong to the 495th Fighter Squadron, which was nicknamed the “Valkyries” during a voting contest in 2020.

The new F-35 squadron will consist of 24 aircraft, delivered in a phased approach.

The commander of the 48th Fighter Wing, Colonel Jason Camilletti, said: "The amount of support we received, and continue to receive, from the community both here and back home has been overwhelming and highly appreciated."