Two more US F-35 Sqns to the Lakenheath, UK

[TS010]

Just a thought about relocating F35 (or airframes to make space for more F35) .Does Fairford have permanently installed arrestor gear or is it a temporary fit for RIAT ?
Can’t see the U2 guys happy with cables going up and down.

Arrestor gear wasn't a problem at Alconbury when they operated RF-4C, F-5E and TR-1's.

[hvaneupen]

Or swapping (or relocating to another European base) the F15E's at Lakenheath with more F35's...

I'd relocate the F15E's to make space at LN for the F35's.

Possible locations for F15's I guess would be Mildenhall, Fairford or maybe Honington (had F15's there before and down the road).

The F15E’s could come to Spangdahlem with the F16’s joining at Aviano. Simple, cheap (relatively) and effective.

[markranger]

Or swapping (or relocating to another European base) the F15E's at Lakenheath with more F35's...

I'd relocate the F15E's to make space at LN for the F35's.

Possible locations for F15's I guess would be Mildenhall, Fairford or maybe Honington (had F15's there before and down the road).

The F15E’s could come to Spangdahlem with the F16’s joining at Aviano. Simple, cheap (relatively) and effective.

Lots of eagle infrastructure and LN , You would think they will stay,.

[Kiedelday1]

Cold War bases no go only Heyford still has most airfield buildings intact,Sculthorpe is a no starter the tower was knocked down in May but the runway is in good condition as used by mildenhall A/C a lot Marham might be ok or F-15e,s to Germany to make more room at lakenheath . Jim

[FFDspotter]

Presuming this is only a temporary deployment. Lakenheath could easily manage 2 squadrons, as only 14 of the 50 F35s have been delivered so far. Wouldn’t these two additional squadrons be temporarily based there until the 493 & 495 are at full capacity. Can’t see them deploying 2 full squadrons either (more likely 8-12 aircraft from each unit) meaning roughly 40 f35s and 50 f15s at Lakenheath - which is what they’ve been redeveloping the base to hold anyway? Just my thoughts, can’t see them reopening any other bases, especially when there’s Lakenheath and marham (and Fairford at a long shot)

[Thunder]

Some of the posts on here regards to possible airfields are beyond laughable. There’s a difference from a CV-22 and the odd MC-130 using an austere runway then using the same runway for a 5th Gen Fighter. None of the ex bases are even available yet alone useable. Only base in the UK capable of handling them long term is Lakenheath and at a push Fairford.

[KevinJ]

Lakenheath would struggle to host another 2 squadrons, it's not just about having parking spots. The 495th and 493rd are spinning up and will be expanding quickly this year, you can't just sling another few hundred squadron personnel in. They have the capacity for one deployed unit but never two unless a F-15E unit moves out or deploys for 6 months, which I suppose is a possibility but not right now. Moving entire squadrons takes months so I don't see much happening soon anyway. Case of wait and see.

[Andy_99]

I've always thought selling off all the old bases & putting eggs into less baskets a bad idea. Bet some people are thinking if only we had the benefit of hindsight. The way things are moving we'll be back to Cold war era pretty sharpish.

[PapaIndiaKilo30]

Already received a text mentioning Prestwick - everything else goes there so why not ?

Well that would be interesting now wouldn't it...

[Adam Palmer]

2 F35 Squadrons to be forward-Stationed to Lakenheath

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/R ... to-europe/

[stuie492]

Lakenheath was obviously the first choice.....whoever mentioned Alconbury.thats now a housing estate

[slogen51]

Thanks for the link. With regards the UK and Poland; when referring to Poland the text uses WILL , for example will rotate a CAB etc. However, regarding the two Squadrons in the UK the text uses ARE :-

" In the United Kingdom, we are increasing our Fifth Generation Fighter presence "

Vs

" In Poland, we will permanently forward station ..... "


The difference maybe subtle but 'will' be is something going to happen and 'are' is something already being done. In other words the two Squadrons are already standing up :- 495FS and 493FS

[Northsky]

Yes this is what is really going to happen.

[Snoop 95]

I note from Twitter that the 48th FW change of Command has seen the outgoing Colonel replaced by a Brigadier General. Could be significant in light of the forecast deployment of additional F35's.

[stuie492]

48th FW asking for the impending deployment not to be mentioned on social media

[f-4]

I don't want to be a party pooper but I expect the 'additional' squadrons are what were already planned, i.e. 493rd and 495th. Political spin at work. I hope I'm wrong though.

[Thunder]

Thanks for the link. With regards the UK and Poland; when referring to Poland the text uses WILL , for example will rotate a CAB etc. However, regarding the two Squadrons in the UK the text uses ARE :-

" In the United Kingdom, we are increasing our Fifth Generation Fighter presence "

Vs

" In Poland, we will permanently forward station ..... "


The difference maybe subtle but 'will' be is something going to happen and 'are' is something already being done. In other words the two Squadrons are already standing up :- 495FS and 493FS

Yes reading the DoD press release, it doesn’t mention ‘additional’ at all, so I would also assume they are referring to the two units already in the process of standing up.

[slogen51]

That's how I read it - the two existing Squadrons ARE being increased with Fifth generation jets

Of course I hope Russia see's sense and the war finishes asap but until that happens we will most likely see regular long deployments similar to Inherent Resolve and other ops in the mid East

[roger4]

Thanks for the link. With regards the UK and Poland; when referring to Poland the text uses WILL , for example will rotate a CAB etc. However, regarding the two Squadrons in the UK the text uses ARE :-

" In the United Kingdom, we are increasing our Fifth Generation Fighter presence "

Vs

" In Poland, we will permanently forward station ..... "


The difference maybe subtle but 'will' be is something going to happen and 'are' is something already being done. In other words the two Squadrons are already standing up :- 495FS and 493FS

Yes reading the DoD press release, it doesn’t mention ‘additional’ at all, so I would also assume they are referring to the two units already in the process of standing up.

But the press release goes on to say that they will be "forward-stationing" two squadrons of F-35s at Lakenheath. The 493rd and 495th have Lakenheath as their permanent homes, so forward-stationing would not be an accurate description. Therefore my money is still on two additional squadrons over and above 493rd/495th (fingers crossed).

[Blue Diamond]

The obvious place to base the extra F-35 squadrons is RAF Luton.