F-35A brings advanced airpower capability to Europe
   This recent deployment of an initial six F-35A
Lightning II fighters and several hundred airmen                                                                     Get the Brand New
to Europe demonstrates the aircraft’s readiness                                                                  Aerotech News App
to conduct operations with America’s European
partners, according to Air Force leaders.

   The April 15, 2017, arrival at Royal Air Force
Lakenheath, England, marks the first major over-
seas training deployment for the aircraft and be-
gins several weeks of training for F-35 pilots,
maintainers and support personnel with allied
and partner nations.

   “Our Air Force delivers a broad range of
combat airpower advantages to our partners,”
said Gen. Mike Holmes, the commander of Air
Combat Command, the major command respon-
sible for organizing, training and equipping the
F-35A fleet. “Thanks to our world-class airmen,
the F-35 is now part of the mix we bring to
strengthening those partnerships and improving
regional security.”

   The leaders of the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill
Air Force Base, Utah, the Air Force’s first opera-
tional F-35A unit, echoed those sentiments, ex-
pressing their excitement about the mission and
admiration for the airmen who made it happen.

   “As the first operational F-35 unit in the Air
Force, our Airmen have been working tireless-
ly—from the achievement of initial operational
capability to our deployment to Red Flag,” said
Col. David Lyons, the 388th Fighter Wing com-
mander. “We continue to prove the unique ca-
pabilities of this revolutionary aircraft, and this
first overseas deployment is a natural step in the
program.

   “A large part of ensuring air dominance in
the future will involve integrating operations
between platforms and across all coalition part-
ners,” Lyons continued. “The F-35A is on the
leading edge of that interoperability. We’re ex-
cited to demonstrate those capabilities as well
as our commitment to our European allies and
partners.”

   Col. Michael Miles, the 388th Maintenance
Group commander, noted that “any time we get
a chance to mobilize and deploy, it sharpens our
skills,” adding that it was an exciting to be a part
of the F-35A program.

   “The culmination of the combined efforts of
the entire F-35 community have brought this to
fruition,” Miles said. “I am extremely proud of
all our airmen, and I know they are honored to be
a part of this important operational milestone.”

   During the deployment, Hill Airmen will train
in the U.K. and deploy to NATO states in Eu-
rope, providing an opportunity for the combat-
ready aircraft to perform alongside allies and

                              Seer F-35, Page 2

              Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class Eli Chevalier                                                           AEROTECH NEWS
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An F-35 Lightning II from the 34th Fighter
Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, flys at                                                                   Latest News • Veteran resources • Military Discounts
Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, April 15,
2017. The aircraft arrival marks the first F-35A                                                                          search for Aerotech News
fighter training deployment to the U.S. European
Command area of responsibility or any overseas
location as a flying training deployment.

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