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.
As the U.S. war with Iran intensifies, the Pentagon is rushing more warplanes to the region, deploying Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and F-35 Lightning II fighters to the Middle East, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.