US F-35s arrive at RAF Lakenheath as base upgrades continue

Four American F-35 fighter jets have arrived at RAF Lakenheath, as the facility upgrades to house more personnel and aircraft.

The US Air Force's 48th Fighter Wing, stationed at the base, welcomed the first batch of the service's advanced warplanes to be based in Europe.

Two squadrons of F-35s will join the current F-15s, now a familiar sight in the Suffolk skies.

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The 495th Fighter Squadron, nicknamed 'Valkyries', has recently been reactivated and is set to boast roughly 60 personnel.

New maintenance hangars, aprons (aircraft parking stretches) and training facilities will form part of the £160m infrastructure upgrades at RAF Lakenheath.

Defence Infrastructure Organisation's (DIO) Programme Director, Steve Rix, said: "The arrival of the first US F-35 at RAF Lakenheath is an exciting point for all involved at the base.

"This is a very large and complex programme, which has continued construction through COVID-19 while ensuring workers stayed safe, so it's great to see this very visible sign of progress.

"Today we are seeing the first glimpse of the future of RAF Lakenheath when this project is complete and all of the F-35s are here."

He added: "However, our job is not yet done and we look forward to continuing to work with our American partners on this important project."