RAF Lakenheath

The 48th Fighter Wing (FW) at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk comprises four squadrons flying two different aircraft types. The 492nd Fighter Squadron (FS), known as the ‘Madhatters’ or ‘Bolars’, and 494th FS ‘Panthers’ fly the Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle, while the 493rd FS ‘Grim Reapers’ and 495th ‘Valkyries’ operate the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II.

BREAKING: More US F-35 squadrons for UK

US President Joe Biden revealed a range of measures to bolster US forces in Europe in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine

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The 493rd Fighter Squadron and its F-15C Eagles depart Europe

A fixture of US air defence in Europe for more than a generation, the departure of the Grim Reapers’ F-15 fighters marks the end of an era. Combat Aircraft Journal reports

Top Aces Skyhawks first air combat training involving USAF fighters in Europe was with F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 52nd Fighter Wing in December 2021. One of the company’s Skyhawks is shown taxiing at Spangdahlem Air Base, home of the 52nd FW. USAF/Tech Sgt Maeson L Elleman News Premium

EXCLUSIVE: Lakenheath F-15s fight A-4 Skyhawks

US Air Force F-15s from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath have been conducting air combat training with A-4 Skyhawks from adversary air provider Top Aces.

The recently unveiled specially marked F-15C of the 493rd FS, note the unit’s air-to-air kills painted on the air brake. Key-Jamie Ewan News Premium

Special markings highlight impending end of Eagle ops for ‘Grim Reapers’

The 48th Fighter Wing’s 493rd Fighter Squadron has specially painted one of its F-15Cs to mark the end of its operations with the Eagle

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USAF's first delivery of F-35As to RAF Lakenheath

Peter Foster reports on the first delivery of USAF F-35As to RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk

An F-15E of the 336th Fighter Squadron on approach to RAF Lakenheath. All photos Dino Carrara News Premium

IN PICTURES: 'Rocketeers' at Lakenheath

A selection of photos of F-15E Strike Eagles of the US Air Force’s 336th Fighter Squadron ‘Rocketeers’ which are currently deployed to RAF Lakenheath

First four F-35As arrive at RAF Lakenheath

The arrival of four Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning IIs at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, UK, on December 15 marked the much-anticipated delivery of aircraft for the USAF's first F-35 squadron to be based in Europe

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Seymour Johnson F-15Es to train at RAF Lakenheath

US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles of the 336th FS from the 4th FW at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, are currently at RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, to undergo further training with NATO Allies and partners

USAF 494th Fighter Squadron return home from Southeast Asia

Personnel from the US Air Force’s 494th Fighter Squadron (FS) “Panthers” returned to RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, between October 26 and November 1 from an eight-month deployment to Southwest Asia

USAF’s first Europe-based F-35A unit activated at Lakenheath

During a ceremony at RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, on October 1, the USAF re-activated the first USAFE Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter squadron as part of the resident 48th FW