F-35A Lightning IIs Arrive in Bulgaria
5th generation fighters support territorial integrity
ROYAL AIR FORCE, LAKENHEATH, U.K. – Two U.S. F-35 Lightning II aircraft and Airmen arrived in Bulgaria, today, from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England as part of a deployment that enhances the region’s ability to host the aircraft for future deployments and operations.
“This deployment clearly demonstrates our nation's contribution to the security and collective defense here in Europe,” said General Curtis Scaparrotti, Commander, U.S. European Command. “It shows we are serious about territorial integrity and will defend our interests with the most advanced capabilities our nation has to offer.”
These movements were planned in advance and in close coordination with the Bulgarian government.
The aircraft and Airmen were joined by a U.S. KC-135 departing from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England and will return to their respective bases following a brief stay in the country. The air refueler is an Air Force Reserve aircraft forward deployed from the 459th Air Reserve Wing at Andrews AFB, Md. and showcases the Command’s ability to employ active and Reserve Airmen across the globe.
As the first European flying training deployment for the F-35A, these movements signify an important milestone and natural progression of the joint strike fighter program throughout Europe.
This long-planned deployment continues to galvanize the U.S. commitment to security and stability throughout Europe. The F-35s will remain in Europe for several weeks.
The F-35A forward deployments throughout Europe maximize opportunities for training while also strengthening the NATO Alliance. The introduction of the premier fifth-generation fighter to Europe brings state-of-the-art sensors, interoperability and a vast array of advanced air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions that will help maintain the fundamental territorial and air sovereignty rights of all nations. The fighter provides unprecedented precision-attack capability against current and emerging threats with unmatched lethality, survivability and interoperability.
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Photos and videos of the deployment are available at https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/usafef35a.
U.S. European Command is one of the United States’ two forward-deployed Geographic Combatant Commands whose area of focus cover almost one-fifth of the planet, including all of Europe, large portions of Asia, parts of the Middle East and the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans. The command is responsible for military relations with NATO and 51 countries with a total population of close to a billion people.
