F-22s Raptors from the 95th Fighter Squadron at Tyndall AFB, Fla., touched down at RAF Lakenheath, England, on April 11 to kick off a month of training across Europe. It was the second F-22 deployment to US European Command, according to a release. The Raptors will train with Europe-based aircraft until May, and will help “deter any actions that destabilize regional security,” according to US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa. F-22s last deployed in August to train in Estonia, Germany, and Poland. USAFE did not provide details on where the F-22s would train this time.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
