The first F-35A fighter jets arrive at RAF Lakenheath after the 48th Fighter Wing activated
the USAF 495th Fighter Squadron, nicknamed as the 'Valkyries', 30 years after it was made inactive.
The 495th Fighter Squadron will become the first overseas United
States Air Force squadron to operate the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II
The first four F-35A fighter jets arrived 15th December 2021
at RAF Lakenheath after the base was selected to host the first US squadrons in Europe.
RAF Lakenheath was chosen based on close ties with the Royal Air Force,
its existing infrastructure, and combined training opportunities.
The UK is seen as a critical component in training and combat readiness for US Air
Forces in Europe due to its excellent airspace and F-35 program partnership.
The new F-35 squadron will consist of 27 aircraft and up to 60 US personnel.
Royal Air Force Lakenheath or RAF Lakenheath is a Royal Air
Force station near the village of Lakenheath in Suffolk, England, UK
Despite being an RAF station, Lakenheath currently only hosts United States Air Force units and
personnel. The host wing is the 48th Fighter Wing (48 FW), also known as the Liberty Wing,
assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA)
Only arriving a few months earlier at RAF Lakenheath,
three U.S. F-35 'Valkyries' were deployed to Ämari Air Base, Estonia, on Febuary 27th
2022, the deployment was just 72 hours after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.
The "Valkyries" were joined by F-35A aircraft assigned to 34th Fighter Squadron,
nicknamed "RAMS", belonging to 388th Fighter Wing from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, United States.
They were also joined by members from 52nd Fighter Wing from Spangdahlem Air Base,
Germany and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, they were
all deployed to support NATO’s collective defense and enhanced Air Policing mission.
As the 'Valkries' F-35's landed, the "RAMS" were preparing to
conduct an enhanced Air Policing mission, patrolling and protecting the Baltic skies,
while projecting air power near the Russian borders along Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Recorded here on March 1st, 2022 the Valkyries are preparing to conduct their own enhanced Air
Policing mission. In Ukraine, news was coming through, the Russian forces have gained ground
during intensive fighting and heavy shelling, taking the Southern city of Kherson and moving
towards the capital city of Kyiv. Russia also increased its missiles
strikes across Ukraine and that night US President Joe Biden condemned Russia's
invasion and pledged solidarity with the Ukranian people during his state of the Union address.
In 2022, the 495th Fighter Squadron 'Valkyries' have continued to see their squadron strengthend
with the arrival of more F-35A Lightning II aircraft, it was also confirmed that Lakenheath
will have a second squadron of F-35 operated by the 493rd fighter Squadron, known as the Reapers