Air Force Moves F-35s from Utah to Germany as Ukraine Faces Possible Invasion

[Sherman A1]

A dozen F-35A Lightning II fighter jets and 350 airmen from Hill Air Force Base in Utah have arrived in Germany, marking the latest deployment of American aircraft to Europe as tensions mount between Russia and Ukraine.

The airmen from the active-duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wing arrived at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, on Wednesday, according to an Air Force Reserve statement.

Despite the recent movement of U.S. forces and military hardware into Europe, American troops are far outnumbered by the estimated 150,000 troops Russia has sitting on the Ukrainian border. U.S. officials have described the movement of American forces as an effort to reassure NATO allies that the U.S. will help defend fellow NATO members.

Col. Matt Fritz, commander of the 419th Fighter Wing, said his airmen "train specifically for moments like these" and they're ready to join the growing show of force.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/02/17/air-force-moves-f-35s-utah-germany-ukraine-faces-possible-invasion.html

[CentralMass]

1. Well at least they can drink a beer.

[Metaphorical]

2. Attack Fighters

The F35A is the attack configuration for the new F35s, built around a similar airframe, but without the VTOL characteristics of the Marine version. They're fairly new, delivered in the last 3-4 years, and have kind of a mixed reputation as being fast, but not quite as fast as the F16. They have a reputation for being finicky, however.