The first of two new US Air Force F-35A units at RAF Lakenheath in the UK is designated the 495 th ‘Valkyries' Squadron. (US Air Force)

The US Air Force (USAF) has stood up the 495th ‘Valkyries' Squadron as its first overseas unit to operate the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

The 48th Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath in the UK made the announcement on 1 October, noting that the unit's 27 aircraft and roughly 60 personnel will arrive at the base later in 2021.

“The base was selected to host the first US F-35A squadrons in Europe based on very close ties with the Royal Air Force, existing infrastructure, and combined training opportunities. Additionally, the UK is a critical component in training and combat readiness for US Air Forces in Europe due to its excellent airspace and F-35 programme partnership,” the USAF said.

As previously announced by the USAF, a second squadron at RAF Lakenheath will be announced in due course.

The first of two new US Air Force F-35A units at RAF Lakenheath in the UK is designated the 495 th ‘Valkyries' Squadron. (US Air Force)

The US Air Force (USAF) has stood up the 495th ‘Valkyries' Squadron as its first overseas unit to operate the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

The 48th Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath in the UK made the announcement on 1 October, noting that the unit's 27 aircraft and roughly 60 personnel will arrive at the base later in 2021.

“The base was selected to host the first US F-35A squadrons in Europe based on very close ties with the Royal Air Force, existing infrastructure, and combined training opportunities. Additionally, the UK is a critical component in training and combat readiness for US Air Forces in Europe due to its excellent airspace and F-35 programme partnership,” the USAF said.

As previously announced by the USAF, a second squadron at RAF Lakenheath will be announced in due course.

The first of two new US Air Force F-35A units at RAF Lakenheath in the UK is designated the 495 th ‘Valkyries' Squadron. (US Air Force)

The US Air Force (USAF) has stood up the 495th ‘Valkyries' Squadron as its first overseas unit to operate the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

The 48th Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath in the UK made the announcement on 1 October, noting that the unit's 27 aircraft and roughly 60 personnel will arrive at the base later in 2021.

“The base was selected to host the first US F-35A squadrons in Europe based on very close ties with the Royal Air Force, existing infrastructure, and combined training opportunities. Additionally, the UK is a critical component in training and combat readiness for US Air Forces in Europe due to its excellent airspace and F-35 programme partnership,” the USAF said.

As previously announced by the USAF, a second squadron at RAF Lakenheath will be announced in due course.

The first of two new US Air Force F-35A units at RAF Lakenheath in the UK is designated the 495 th ‘Valkyries' Squadron. (US Air Force)

The US Air Force (USAF) has stood up the 495th ‘Valkyries' Squadron as its first overseas unit to operate the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

The 48th Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath in the UK made the announcement on 1 October, noting that the unit's 27 aircraft and roughly 60 personnel will arrive at the base later in 2021.

“The base was selected to host the first US F-35A squadrons in Europe based on very close ties with the Royal Air Force, existing infrastructure, and combined training opportunities. Additionally, the UK is a critical component in training and combat readiness for US Air Forces in Europe due to its excellent airspace and F-35 programme partnership,” the USAF said.

As previously announced by the USAF, a second squadron at RAF Lakenheath will be announced in due course.

The first of two new US Air Force F-35A units at RAF Lakenheath in the UK is designated the 495 th ‘Valkyries' Squadron. (US Air Force)

The US Air Force (USAF) has stood up the 495th ‘Valkyries' Squadron as its first overseas unit to operate the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

The 48th Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath in the UK made the announcement on 1 October, noting that the unit's 27 aircraft and roughly 60 personnel will arrive at the base later in 2021.

“The base was selected to host the first US F-35A squadrons in Europe based on very close ties with the Royal Air Force, existing infrastructure, and combined training opportunities. Additionally, the UK is a critical component in training and combat readiness for US Air Forces in Europe due to its excellent airspace and F-35 programme partnership,” the USAF said.

As previously announced by the USAF, a second squadron at RAF Lakenheath will be announced in due course.

The first of two new US Air Force F-35A units at RAF Lakenheath in the UK is designated the 495 th ‘Valkyries' Squadron. (US Air Force)

The US Air Force (USAF) has stood up the 495th ‘Valkyries' Squadron as its first overseas unit to operate the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

The 48th Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath in the UK made the announcement on 1 October, noting that the unit's 27 aircraft and roughly 60 personnel will arrive at the base later in 2021.

“The base was selected to host the first US F-35A squadrons in Europe based on very close ties with the Royal Air Force, existing infrastructure, and combined training opportunities. Additionally, the UK is a critical component in training and combat readiness for US Air Forces in Europe due to its excellent airspace and F-35 programme partnership,” the USAF said.

As previously announced by the USAF, a second squadron at RAF Lakenheath will be announced in due course.