USAF F-22 Fighters Arrive in Middle East to Counter Iranian Threats Against Israel and U.S. Forces

The U.S. Air Force has deployed F-22 Raptor fighter jets to the Middle East as part of an effort to counter threats posed by Iran and its affiliated groups in the region, particularly against Israel and American forces, according to an announcement by U.S. Central Command on August 8.

This move follows Iran’s vow to retaliate for the January 30 assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed by a bomb in Tehran. Iran has blamed Israel for the attack, though Israel has not officially acknowledged its involvement. Iran’s anticipated retaliation could include direct strikes from its own territory as well as attacks by proxy forces, such as the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah, which operates near the Israeli border. Additionally, U.S. forces stationed in Iraq and Syria have recently faced rocket attacks from militias aligned with Iran.

The arrival of the F-22s, among the most advanced fighter aircraft in the U.S. arsenal, is part of a broader influx of military assets to the region. This includes U.S. naval ships with capabilities to intercept ballistic missiles, and plans to potentially enhance land-based missile defenses in the area.

About a dozen F-22s arrived at a base in the Middle East from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, covering over 5,600 nautical miles with stops in the U.K. before reaching their destination on August 8. The precise location of these aircraft remains undisclosed due to operational security concerns.

The deployment aims to deter any potential attacks from Iran and its proxies, both on Israel and U.S. military personnel in the region. The increased military presence comes after a recent rocket attack on Al Asad Air Base in Iraq on August 5, which injured four U.S. service members and one contractor. The Pentagon attributes this attack to an Iranian-aligned Shia militia group.

Since the escalation of conflict in October, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, there have been 180 attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan. The U.S. has responded with airstrikes, including a recent operation targeting a drone facility in Iraq on July 30.

The F-22s join a significant U.S. Air Force presence already in the region, including F-15Es, F-16s, and A-10s. The U.S. Navy has also temporarily repositioned F/A-18 Super Hornets from the USS Theodore Roosevelt to a regional airbase, further bolstering the defense posture. This relocation is temporary, with the aircraft expected to return to the carrier before it departs the region, to be replaced by the USS Abraham Lincoln.

The F-22 deployment enhances the U.S.'s ability to defend against air and missile threats, building on past successes, such as the April operation where U.S. Air Force fighters played a key role in intercepting over 80 drones launched by Iran against Israel. This robust response neutralized approximately 300 missiles and drones in a coordinated defense effort, underscoring the critical role of U.S. airpower in maintaining regional security.

Some USAF A-10s, F-15s Set for Retirement; F-22 Decommissioning Halted by New Defense Bill

The compromise defense policy bill revealed on Wednesday night outlines decisions affecting the Air Force's fleet. It approves the retirement of older F-15 Eagle fighters, A-10 Warthogs, and other aircraft but blocks the effort to retire 32 older F-22A Raptors.

Lawmakers aim to assess the Air Force's plans for integrating collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs) and developing the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) future fighter platform within the $874.2 billion Fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.

Although the proposal allows the Air Force to retire certain A-10s and early-model F-15s, it places conditions on decreasing the A-10 fleet until the service provides Congress with a report on close air support and Warthog-centric missions.

The ongoing debate between Congress and the Air Force over the A-10 concerns its survivability in future conflicts. Congress has previously blocked attempts to retire the Warthog.

Efforts to retire 32 F-22s, primarily used for training and deemed costly to make combat-ready, have faced opposition. Congress previously blocked the retirement of these jets and is poised to do so again.

The bill mandates the Air Force to maintain a specific fighter inventory temporarily and requests a long-term plan for tactical fighter force structure by April 1.

Lawmakers demand detailed reports on the Air Force and Navy's plans for CCAs and NGAD, focusing on acquisition strategies, costs, and performance goals. Additionally, they seek information on the HH-60W Jolly Green II rescue helicopter and other fleet retirements.

The bill also addresses concerns over early production of T-7A Red Hawk trainer aircraft and requires an evaluation of risks associated with overlapping development, testing, and production phases.

Lastly, the legislation calls for the Air Force's tanker fleet update plan, including the KC-135 recapitalization and the Next Generation Air Refueling System (NGAS) procurement.

The bill also considers the possibility of transferring retired aircraft to ally or partner nations, although it does not specify Ukraine in this provision.

US Air Force Achieves Milestone: Fighter Aircraft Refueled by Commercial Tankers in Joint Exercise

During the "Commando Sling" military exercise, the U.S. Air Force achieved a significant milestone by conducting air-to-air refueling operations for its fighter aircraft using commercial tanker aircraft for the first time. This groundbreaking collaboration, carried out in conjunction with Singapore, facilitated the mid-air refueling of iconic aircraft such as the F-16, F-15, and F-22 by commercially-operated KDC-10 aircraft. This achievement not only represents a major advancement in the Air Force's refueling capabilities but also provides greater flexibility and resource diversification to address potential contingencies.

The focus of the "Commando Sling" exercise extended beyond aerial refueling to encompass combined tactics, combat maneuvers, and the enhancement of joint operational capabilities between U.S. and Singaporean forces. This strategic partnership highlighted the crucial significance of international cooperation and the close relationship between allied nations, reinforcing preparedness and responsiveness to common challenges.

The deployment of commercial KDC-10 tanker aircraft not only emphasized their role in aerial refueling but also showcased their versatility in transporting cargo and passengers. This operational interaction between Air Force aircraft and commercial tanker planes contributes not only to the improvement of tactical and operational skills but also encourages the exploration of new military strategies and tactics. Additionally, initiatives of this nature prepare the armed forces to tackle a wider range of potential scenarios and challenges, bolstering their adaptability and capacity to address strategic situations and future emergencies.

 

USAF's Alaska-Based F-22s Deploy to Middle East Amid Iran Threat

As concerns have risen in Washington about a potential Iranian attack against U.S. partners in the region, F-22 Raptors have deployed to the Middle East and performed operations alongside F-15E Strike Eagles on Nov. 2.

U.S. media reports indicated the previous day that Saudi Arabia was worried about the possibility of an Iranian attack and had shared this information with the U.S.

CENTCOM tweeted several photos showing U.S. military aircraft on patrol, including F-22s based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

CENTCOM did not say when the F-22s had deployed to the region or how many of the stealth air-to-air fighters are now operating there. But F-22s have previously been deployed during a period of high tension. In February, the U.S. sent F-22s to the United Arab Emirates after it was targeted by drone and missile attacks from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The Wall Street Journal reported Nov. 1 that Saudi Arabia had recently provided the U.S. with intelligence that Iran may strike Saudi Arabia and Erbil in northern Iraq. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia accused Iran of attacking the kingdom’s oil infrastructure with drones and missiles in 2019.

The U.S. Air Force uses Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

airandspaceforces 

NEWS 2022 March, 29

First Mission for Spain's Ejercito del Aire A330

The flight will transport 85 Ukrainian orphans to Spain. The children, who will travel under the tutelage of their caregivers from the orphanage.

The aircraft used is the first of three A330 units acquired by Spain which are being converted to multi-role transport and supply aircraft at the Airbus facilities in Getafe. 

This is one more of the humanitarian flights organized by the Ministry of Defense since the war in Ukraine began.

defensa.gob

Canada to Buy 88 F-35 Fighter Jets From Lockheed Martin After Years of Delays

Canada announced plans Monday to buy 88 US-made F-35 stealth fighter jets to replace its aging flee of F-18s.

The new aircraft’s central role will be to patrol North American air space with the US Air Force under NORAD and it could also be tasked with helping to bolster NATO defenses in Europe, or other overseas missions.

Lockheed Martin beat out Saab’s Gripen, after Boeing’s Superhornet was excluded from the running, and an Airbus-led consortium and France’s Dassault Aviation withdrew their Typhoon and Rafale fighters from the competition.

Ottawa had earmarked 19 billion Canadian dollars ($15 billion) for the purchase six years ago. Negotiations with Lockheed Martin would now proceed to finalize the contract within the next seven months with delivery of the aircraft as early as 2025.

Canada spent two decades helping to develop the stealth fighter with the United States and its allies.

But when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau‘s Liberals swept to power in 2015 he scrapped three previous administrations’ plans to purchase the state-of-the-art F-35 to replace its aging F-18 fleet, calling it too expensive.

Prior to Monday, Canada was the only nation in the partnership not yet committed to buying the F-35s.

It follows Germany’s announcement mid-March to buy 35 F-35s as part of a multi-billion-euro push to modernize its armed forces in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Finland’s order of 64 stealth fighters in December after seeing a spike in incursions into its airspace by Russian jets in recent years.

Airbus said when it withdrew from the Canadian competition in 2019 that NORAD security requirements were too expensive, while sources told AFP that Dassault Aviation was unable to meet technical requirements tied to Canada’s membership in the Five Eyes intelligence sharing group of nations.

The Five Eyes group is comprised of Canada, the United States, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand.

Ottawa had planned to buy 18 new Boeing Super Hornets as a stopgap while it relaunched the procurement competition, but that deal fell apart over a trade dispute.

Canada bought 18 used Australian F-18 jets to fill an air force interim capability gap. These were similar to its own F-18s, which were first deployed in 1983.

thedefensepost

USAF wants to retire and scrap up to 33 F-22 Raptors

The Air Force plans to retire nearly three dozen of Tyndall Air Force Base’s F-22 fighter jets in fiscal 2023, ending tentative plans to move them to Virginia that have been on hold for more than three years.

The Raptors have been flying out of nearby Eglin AFB in Florida since a hurricane destroyed Tyndall in October 2018.

Officials want to divest 33 of the service’s oldest F-22s and use that money to instead research cutting-edge combat jet designs under the “Next-Generation Air Dominance” program. If Congress approves the idea, it would send all but three Block 20 Raptors to the “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona, and shrink the overall fleet from 186 to 153 fighters.

The Air Force’s remaining F-22s would be redistributed across the Raptor squadrons, which include units at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia; Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and Eglin.

Eglin has hosted flying operations for the 325th Fighter Wing since Hurricane Michael destroyed their previous home at Tyndall Air Force Base in the Florida Panhandle. That includes the Air Force’s only F-22 training unit, the 43rd Fighter Squadron.

defensenews

USAF wants to retire 150 Aircraft but add up to 24 F-15E

The Air Force is looking to get rid of 150 aircraft, including 21 Warthogs, and add 24 F-15 fighter jets with an eye toward the Pacific region, according to its proposed $169.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2023 released Monday.

The Air Force request rolled out Monday as part of the Pentagon’s proposed $773 billion fiscal year 2023 budget.

The Air Force budget adds $2.7 billion over the previous year in procurement, with about $1.4 billion earmarked for 24 F-15 EX fighter jets. In 2022, the service added 12.

The Air Force also projects divesting 21 A-10 Thunderbolt II attack jets, known as Warthogs, in this proposed budget, which will be backfilled by F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets.

stripes

USAFE F-22 Raptor trains with Spanish Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon and EF-18M at Albacete, Spain

On August, 17th took place, at the Albacete Air Base, a joint advanced aerial training exercise that included the participation of two F-22 aircraft of the USAFE and Eurofighter and F-18 aircraft of the Spanish Air Force.
In the traninig was evaluated the capabilities of the Albacete Air Base and the Tactical Leadership Program (TLP), to host an exercise that has the participation of a 5th aircraft generation, as are the F-22 of the USAF.
The exercise consisted of two independent missions to each other in the assigned flight zone, after carrying out the F-22 of the American Air Force a refueling mission in flight.
After the initial takeoff of two Eurofighters of the Air Force of Albacete Air Base, they carried out a mission with one of the F-22. Already in the work zone, dissimilar combat maneuvers were carried out, that is, between fighters of different characteristics.
At the same time, an F-18 of Ala 12 took off from the Air Base of Torrejón to meet in zone with the second American F-22 and perform the same type of mission.
Then the two Eurofighter of the 14th wing, in the air police mission, located the trace corresponding to the F-22 and made interception maneuvers for their subsequent identification. In the event of any offensive action of the attacking plane, they made defensive and coordination maneuvers in pairs to maintain the enemy's control zone.
Once the work was done in the sector, each American F-22 met with the couple of Spanish fighters assigned and proceeded to land at the Albacete Air Base.
usafe.af.mil
ejercitodelaire

Two USAF F-22 Raptors will exercise with Spanish Air Force on Monday, 13th August at Albacete Air Base

Two US fighter aircraft F-22 «Raptor» will participate next Monday in an exercise of aerial training with Eurofighter aircraft and F-18 «Hornet» of the Spanish Air Force.
The exercise, the first of these characteristics with F-22 in Spain, will take place at the Los Llanos air base (Albacete).
"This is an excellent opportunity for training and instruction that allows a joint assessment of the capabilities of the three aircraft, two American and one European manufacturing, in a demanding tactical environment," sources of the Air Force.
Raptors are supposed to arrive from Spangdahlem AFB, Germany, where are currently deployed
Ejército del Aire
Esteban Villarejo-abcblogs.abc.es

US Air Force F-22 Raptors are back at Kadena for the first time since 2014

F-22A Raptors this week returned to Kadena Air Base in Japan for the first time in more than three years, the Air Force said.
In a release, Pacific Air Forces said that the fifth-generation fighters, aircrew and support personnel were from the 525th Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska.
They are taking part in the theater security package program under the recently-renamed U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, which is intended to “signify a continued commitment to regional stability and security.”
In a follow-up email, the 18th Wing at Kadena said that fourteen Raptors are deploying there. They will also train with local assigned units, the 18th said.
airforcetimes

Lockheed Martin to propose stealthy hybrid of F-22 and F-35 for Japan

Lockheed Martin Corp plans to offer Japan a stealth fighter design based on its export-banned F-22 Raptor and advanced F-35 Lightning II aircraft.
Lockheed has discussed the idea with Japanese defense ministry officials and will make a formal proposal in response to a Japanese request for information (RFI) after it receives permission from the U.S. government to offer the sensitive military technology.
The decision on whether to release parts of the highly classified aircraft designs and software to help Japan stay ahead of Chinese advances will test President Donald Trump’s promise to overhaul his country’s arms export policy.
The proposed aircraft “would combine the F-22 and F-35 and could be superior to both of them,” said one of the sources.
Japan, which is already buying the radar-evading F-35 to modernize its inventory, also wants to introduce a separate air superiority fighter in the decade starting 2030 to deter intrusions into its airspace by Chinese and Russian jets.
The country’s air force currently flies the F-15J, based on the Boeing F-15; and the F-2, based on the Lockheed Martin F-16.
reuters

Six US F-22 stealth fighter jets arrive in South Korea for joint Vigilant Ace air drills

Six U.S. F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jets arrived in South Korea on Saturday for joint air drills between Seoul and Washington slated for next week in a show of force against North Korea.
The fighter planes will join the allies' annual airborne exercise named Vigilant Ace to be held from Dec. 4-8, according to the South Korean Air Force.
The U.S. also plans to send F-35A and F-35B stealth jets, F-16C fighter planes and others including an unspecified number of B-1B bombers.
The South Korean Air Force will dispatch F-15K, KF-16 and F-5 fighter jets and other planes for the exercises with about 230 aircraft at eight U.S. and South Korean military installations being mobilized.
koreaherald

USAF'S F-22s conduct first airstrikes in Afghanistan

In a first use of expanded military authorities in Afghanistan, U.S. warplanes destroyed eight Taliban opium production facilities in Helmand Province Sunday, the top U.S. general there said Monday.
U.S. Forces Afghanistan commander Gen. John Nicholson said U.S. and Afghan forces in total took out 10 facilities on the first day of Operation Jagged Knife, a combined air operation that involved Afghan A-29s and U.S. B-52s and F-22s to take out a series of factories that Nicholson said were used as a revenue source for the Taliban.
The operation marked the first use of the F-22 to conduct airstrikes in Afghanistan. The highly advanced stealth fighter has capabilities that exceed what should have been necessary to destroy a Taliban target, raising questions as to why that platform was selected.
On Monday, Nicholson said the F-22 was selected in a last-minute decision, based on what aircraft was available with the capability to carry a small diameter precision bomb. Nicholson showed a clip of a target hit by an F-22 that dropped 250-pound small diameter bombs inside a compound. The bombs destroyed two of the structures inside the compound, leaving one, “to avoid collateral damage,” Nicholson said.
militarytimes

United States to deploy 6 F-22 Raptor stealth fighters to Korea next month

The United States is planning to send six F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jets to a joint air force exercise in South Korea next month in what is believed to be U.S. action to put maximum pressure on North Korea, military officials here said on Thursday.
"Six F-22 fighters from the U.S. Air Force are scheduled to join the joint South Korea-U.S. air force exercise Vigilant Ace from Dec. 4-8," the officials said.
The fighters will fly to the Korean Peninsula from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan and stay at an air base in South Korea throughout the exercise, according to officials. Up to four F-35A Lightning stealth fighters are also likely to join the deployment, they said.
The U.S. fleet will reportedly engage in enemy infiltration and precision strike drills with South Korean Air Force fighter jets during the exercise.
It would mark the first time the U.S. has deployed six Raptors to Korea at once and is sure to put pressure on North Korea with the overwhelming military force by the allies.
The planned deployment comes as the U.S. steps up the deployment of strategic assets to South Korea in a show of force aimed at pressuring North Korea to the maximum level. Early this month, three U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carriers were deployed to the East Sea after powerful American fighter jets flew near North Korea in the previous months.
The move is also sure to lead to an angry reaction from North Korea and threats to retaliate as similar operations have done in the past.
yonhapnews

US F-22s intercept Russian bombers escorted by fighters near Alaska

Two Russian bombers, flanked by a pair of fighter jets, were intercepted by stealth US F-22 aircraft off the coast of Alaska on Wednesday, according to North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
The Russian TU-95 Bear bombers and their SU-35 fighter jet escorts stayed in international airspace but did fly as close to 50 miles from Point Hope, Alaska.
In the U.S. Air Force fleet
This is the first time Russian bombers have been accompanied by fighters in these types of flights since 2015, a US official told CNN.
A Russian A-50 Mainstay surveillance plane also later flew into the area but remained in international air space and was not intercepted.
The US military sees these flights as routine and pose no concern, according to the US official.
cnn.com

USAF DEPLOYS 12 F-22 RAPTORS TO AUSTRALIA

At the direction of Adm. Harry Harris Jr., U.S. Pacific Command commander, Pacific Air Forces will send 12 F-22 Raptor aircraft and approximately 190 Airmen to Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal in early February to conduct combined exercises and training missions with the Royal Australian Air Forces as part of the Enhanced Air Cooperation Initiative under the Force Posture Agreement between the United States and Australia.
The rotation of the aircraft is designed to modernize and strengthen our already firm mil-to-mil relationship, facilitate interoperability, exercise combined capabilities and increase regional engagement.
While at RAAF Base Tindal, the F-22 detachment, alongside their RAAF counterparts, will provide credible forces able to support a wide range of exercises or training activities. Through this initiative and the continued enhancement of the RAAF facilities, Pacific Air Forces and the RAAF will build upon their individual and combined capabilities, advancing interoperability between the nations. This interoperability will extend to regional partners as the initiative progresses. The enhanced, combined operational capability and interoperability are integral to regional security, stability and combined readiness.
“This F-22 Raptor deployment represents a key milestone for U.S. and Australian Airmen as together we build a robust fifth generation fighter presence in the Indo-Asia-Pacific,” said Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy, Pacific Air Forces commander. “Our steadfast relationship with Australia, deeply rooted in our common principles and shared values, stems from working together day in and day out across the full spectrum of operations and will continue to prosper as we further integrate our efforts through this initiative.”
This rotation of F-22 Raptors to RAAF Base Tindal marks the initial fifth generation asset deployment of this duration and scope within Australia, and will be the first time the F-22 has conducted combined training to this extent in the country. While there, they will conduct integrated training opportunities with Royal Australian Air Force’s 75 Squadron F/A-18A/B Hornets along with ground assets and personnel. This activity will vastly enhance RAAF and USAF fourth to fifth generation integration, while introducing fifth generation operations and requirements to RAAF Base Tindal.
“Australia is a critical partner in the F-35 program and playing a key role in helping PACAF lead fifth generation aircraft integration into the region,” said O’Shaughnessy.
We greatly value the enduring relationship with our Australian allies across the globe from the Indo-Asia-Pacific to the Middle East. Through deployments like these, we can better leverage the increased survivability, lethality and situational awareness that the F-22 and F-35, along with our fourth generation fighters, bring to this theater to ensure allied air superiority for years to come."
usaThe additional capability of conducting joint and combined exercises from northern Australia is an integral part of the Force Posture Agreement between the United States and Australia.
pacaf.af

F-22 Restart for US Air Force Not 'A Wild Idea'

Although US Air Force and industry officials have repeatedly dubbed reviving Lockheed Martin’s F-22 production line as a nonstarter, the service’s outgoing chief of staff said Thursday it might not be such a crazy idea after all.
Gen. Mark Welsh's comments marked the first time since Congress floated the idea last month that Air Force leadership has acknowledged an F-22 restart as anything but pie in the sky.
defensenews

U.S. deploys F-22 Raptor stealth fighters to base in Japan

The U.S. Air Force flew eight F-22 stealth fighters to Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo on Wednesday, but U.S. officials said the move was a scheduled deployment.
The arrival of the Lockheed Martin aircraft, one of the most advanced fighter jets in operation, comes in the wake of North Korea's fourth nuclear test and Taiwan's elections.
The deployment comes after the nuclear aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis departed the western coast of the United States last Friday. The vessel can sail anywhere from Japan to the southern Pacific and could dock in Yokosuka, Japan, to join the USS Ronald Reagan.
U.S. Forces Japan stated the F-22s, originating from Alaska, are to remain at the base until Jan. 22, as part of a scheduled drill. F-16 fighter jets are also due to arrive at the location.
Stars and Stripes reported the F-16s are from the 18th Aggressor Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.
upi.com

F-22 Has Flown Almost 300 Sorties Against Islamic State

Lockheed Martin F-22s have dropped 446 weapons during 50 strike missions against Islamic State targets in Iraq, Syria, Air Combat Command says in statement.
Plane flown over half of all escort missions in 16-month campaign, ACC says
Majority of F-22 strikes against buildings, oil infrastructure, Air Force says
NOTE: F-22 made combat debut last year in early strikes against Islamic State; it was declared combat ready in December 2005
Through Feb. 2 at seven-month-mark of campaign, F-22s flew 112 Syria and Iraq sorties, dropped 132 munitions
about.bgov.com

Hawaiian ANG F-22s deploy To Middle East

Two F-22 Raptor squadrons and two maintenance squadrons from Hawaii have joined forces to create a combined unit with more than 200 active-duty and Air National Guard airmen that has arrived in the Middle East for a six-month deployment.
The F-22 pilots come from the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 199th Fighters Squadron and the active-duty 19th Fighter Squadron, a news release from the Hawaii National Guard says. The maintainers and other support personnel are from the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 154th Wing and the active-duty 15th Wing.
The planes and most of the airmen left Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, on Sept. 26, according to the news release, which did not include the name of the base downrange from which the F-22s and airmen will operate.
This is the first operational deployment for the Hawaiian Raptors.
airforcetimes

Two USAF F-22 Raptors land in Ämari Air Base, Estonia

Two F-22 Raptors of the 95th Fighter Squadron out Tyndall AFB in Florida landed in Ämari Air Base at noon.
news.err.ee

USAF F-16, F-22 ARRIVE IN POLAND

Four F-16 Fighting Falcons, two F-22 Raptors and one C-130 Hercules arrived at Łask Air Base, Poland.
The F-16s are from the 480th Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. The 480th FS is participating in bilateral training with the Polish Air Force during Aviation Detachment Rotation 15-4 and will be joined by the 606th Air Control Squadron and additional F-16s from the 176th Fighter Squadron, Wisconsin Air National Guard, in early September. Approximately 370 Airmen from the three squadrons will be in Poland to support one of the largest Av-Det rotations to date. During the deployment, the F-16s will conduct training focused on maintaining joint readiness while building interoperability capabilities.
The F-22s and approximately 20 supporting Airmen are from the 95th Fighter Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla. The C-130 aircraft is from the 37th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
This forward deployment of the Raptors is part of the inaugural F-22 training deployment to Europe and is funded by the European Reassurance Initiative, which provides support to bolster the security of our NATO Allies and partners in Europe while demonstrating our commitment to regional and global security. The F-22s will remain at Łask for a brief period of time before returning to Spangdahlem to continue their training deployment.
spangdahlem.af.mil.