UK base selected to host first U.S. F-35 jets in Europe

January 9, 2015 F-35, Military Aviation

David Cenciotti

RAF Lakenheath was selected as the first base to host USAFE F-35s.

The Pentagon has announced a large reorganization of U.S. Air Force units across Europe on Jan. 8.

As a consequence of the consolidation plan, 15 installations in the Old Continent will be closed: among them RAF Mildenhall, one of the busiest airfield in the UK, whose tankers and special operations planes will be moved to Germany. RC-135 Rivet Joint jets currently based there will remain in the UK.

Then, the Pentagon has plans to base two squadrons of F-35s at RAF Lakenheath: the UK base, home of the 48th Fighter Wing equipped with F-15C and F-15E Strike Eagle jets, will be the first U.S. Air Force in Europe installation to host a unit flying the 5th Generation Joint Strike Fighter.

Each of the squadrons will receive 24 F-35s, totaling 48 aircraft assigned to RAF Lakenheath once full mission capability is achieved.

“Lakenheath is the perfect base for the perfect weapon system in the perfect country,” said Col. Robert Novotny, 48th Fighter Wing commander in press release published on the Air Force website. “From the beginning, the United States and the United Kingdom have been side-by-side on F-35 program development. This is about continuing to work together with our allies and partners to ensure a secure future for Europe.”

Image credit: U.S. Air Force

About David Cenciotti

David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.

Cody3/75 says:

January 14, 2015 at 5:26 AM

Ill take the F-35 over the PAK FA. Not because I’m American but because i’m about as informed on both airframes as one could be that hasn’t been “read in” on their programs.
ODM says:

January 14, 2015 at 11:31 PM

I didn’t hear that they were removing the F-15s, as far as I am aware it is a supplemental assignment.
Vijay Mehra says:

January 19, 2015 at 11:35 PM

its garbage…the indians dont even want it now.
stig781 says:

January 25, 2015 at 6:33 PM

“RC-135 Rivet Joint jets currently based there will remain in the UK.”

There aren’t ANY US Rivet Joints based in the UK.

“one of the busiest airfield in the UK,”

It doesn’t come close compared to every single active RAF station.

” This is about continuing to work together with our allies and partners to ensure a secure future for Europe”

No Robert, that is what the RAF is about. The US tenant units at RAF Lakenheath are there as part of NATO.
stig781 says:

January 25, 2015 at 6:52 PM

No Jupiter, the UK has hosted the Typhoon FGR4 for several years now.

You made it clear how clueless you are on aviation matters but this comment takes it to a whole new level. The T-50 as the “perfect weapon system”. Hilarious.