Multiple F-35 fighter jets from Hill AFB transported to England, per reports
Photo supplied, Tech. Sgt. Nicolas Myers/U.S. Air Force
U.S. Air Force Maj. Kristin Wolfe performs a demonstration in the F-35A Lightning II during the Reno Air Races in Reno, Nevada, Sept. 19, 2021. The F-35 Lightning II Demonstration Team is based out of Hill Air Force Base.Online flight trackers reportedly observed a number of United States Air Force fighter jets being transported from Hill Air Force Base to Royal Air Force Lakenheath in Suffolk, England, last week.
As reported by The War Zone’s Howard Altman, plane spotter Karl O’Kane said that 12 F-35s from Hill had arrived at RAF Lakenheath as of Thursday afternoon.
One day earlier, a series of social media posts indicated that KC-46 Pegasus aerial tankers had been tracked “dragging” the fighters across the Atlantic Ocean on their way to England.
When asked for comment on the situation, Air Force Public Affairs could not confirm whether any aircraft had been deployed or transported to RAF Lakenheath.
“Due to operational security, we cannot confirm or discuss aircraft deployments or troop movements. However, the 388th Fighter Wing is able to project F-35 combat power anywhere at any time,” an Air Force spokesperson stated in an email to the Standard-Examiner.
Lakenheath has previously served as a way station for flights between the U.S. and the Middle East, according to TWZ. And while no deployments to the region from Hill AFB have been confirmed, the U.S. military recently escalated operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen, a campaign that has included several days of airstrikes.
“On Saturday, the 15th of March, shortly after 1 p.m. Eastern Time, at the direction of the president, U.S. Central Command began precision strike operations against the Houthis to restore freedom of navigation and American deterrence,” Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich said at a press briefing last week.
“The initial wave of strikes hit over 30 targets at multiple locations degrading a variety of Houthi capabilities.
“These included terrorist training sites, unmanned aerial vehicle infrastructure, weapons manufacturing capabilities and weapons storage facilities. It also included a number of command and control centers, including a terrorist compound where we know several senior Houthi unmanned aerial vehicle experts were located.”
Meanwhile, chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said at the press conference that the operations would not be an “endless offensive,” but maintained that “overwhelming lethal force” would be used “until we have achieved our objective.”
