F-35s heading to Europe

It looks like they're basing out of Lakenheath and moving around to wherever they're going. They're supposed to spend at least 4 weeks going to different areas to train before heading back to Hill.

Its not Oktoberfest early this year?

The last two aircraft arrive today. One of the two had a minor problem during the first air refueling, so he and a wingman returned to Hill.

Over the first week, F-35 pilots will start off doing air-to-air exercises with U.S. Air Force F-15Cs and F-15Es permanently located at Lakenheath, as well as engagements against other F-35As acting as adversary air, Watkins said. Pilots will practice dogfighting one-on-one and doing combat maneuvers in two-on-two formations with simulated weapons, including the laser-guided GBU-12, 2,000-pound joint direct attack munition and A-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile.

From there, activities will ramp up to small and large force exercises with U.K. Eurofighter Typhoons and potentially Dutch F-16s, he said. Other NATO aircraft could also join in for that training, but have not been confirmed yet.

www.defensenews.com...

BBC are providing coverage of their arrival of Lakenheath with an interview too.

BBC News coverage of USAF F-35A arrival

Looks like if you're on the UK's East coast you might get a bit of a show in the next few weeks.

Now this was interesting. Two aircraft, 5102 and 5094 departed yesterday for Estonia where they spent a few hours on the ground. They flew to the area with a KC-135 escort, and had a ceremony on the ground. While they were on the ground, an RC-135W Rivet Joint very publicly (broadcasting its ADS-B) took up an orbit near Kaliningrad Oblast, while one of the RC-135U Combat Sent aircraft took up an orbit over Estonia near the Russian border. Shortly after, one of the RAF Airseeker aircraft showed up near Kaliningrad as well. All three kept their ADS-B broadcasting while they were orbiting. Shortly after the F-35s returned to England, all three departed the area.

theaviationist.com...

a reply to: Zaphod58

But the enemy reads this stuff. I don't understand why spotter groups are even allowed and two, I don't understand why they announce it, Zaphod.

a reply to: PRSpinster

Spotters are usually spotting from public land near the base. Once you're off base property, they can't do a lot. They can't stop you from photographing planes going over you. The best they can do is protect the secrets on it. They sometimes get to do events with the unit because it builds bridges with the community.

Yes, they read it, but do you really think they aren't going to notice when 8 F-35s show up in their back yard? We're not a war with them, and sometimes announcing something or letting something be seen sends a message. A pretty effective one at that too sometimes.

So two or three weeks ago, the JPO announced that they were not sending an F-35 to the Paris Air Show. A few days later they said they hadn't received an invite from the organizers.

The following week the organizers came out and basically said, "what the hell are you talking about, we put the invitation into the hands of the American ambassador".

Last night the JPO quietly announced they're sending an F-35A to the show.

originally posted by: dashen
We spreading more freedom in Europe?

More like... more fear.

a reply to: redoubt

I always love how it's our fault these countries invite us in and want to work with us, or our help for their security. Or that sending a aircraft to Europe, which has been going on since WWII is spreading fear.

The deployed aircraft returned home in two groups. Four departed Friday, the other group yesterday. They flew 76 sorties, and approximately 154 hours. That included deployments to Estonia and Bulgaria.

www.dvidshub.net...

Looking at BUK depots?Still no spankings after MH17...yet..

a reply to: TinfoilTP

I get that, man. It just makes me uncomfortable when our people's movements are breaking news. If it was just the armament being moved, that would be one thing but personnel are attached to it. It puts them in needless danger. And before you say it, I'm aware that the military knows what they signed up for but information is dangerous when it puts our people in harm's way, needlessly.

a reply to: PRSpinster

The last time I looked we weren't at war with anyone outside the Middle East. OPSEC is fine and good, and works, but there is no need for it for every single thing.

One F-35A from Hill, and one A from Luke will go to Paris. They're going to do a flying demonstration, and will be flown by Lockheed pilots.