F-35As flew about 10 sorties per day while deployed to RAF Lakenheath, England, training alongside F-15s and other NATO allies. Eight F-35As from the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings at Hill AFB, Utah, deployed to Lakenheath last month during the first overseas deployment for the F-35A. Lakenheath F-15Cs and F-15Es practiced air-to-air and air-to-ground missions with the F-35s, with many F-15 pilots flying alongside F-35s for the first time, according to a Lakenheath release.
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.
