US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE)
First-ever Ramstein 1v1 fighter exercise
Fourth and fifth-generation fighter aircraft from nine NATO countries recently participated in a basic fighter manoeuvres (BFM) exercise at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
Allies gather to celebrate 50 years of the F-16 and Tornado
On May 23, 2024, F-16s and Tornados launched from Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany to fly a formation to mark the 50th anniversary of both aircraft types first flights in 1974.
B-52s arrive at Fairford for BTF 24-3
Two US Air Force Boeing B-52H Stratofortress bombers landed at RAF Fairford on May 20, 2024, for a bomber task force (BTF) deployment.
Bentwaters’ T-33 restored
The Suffolk-based Bentwaters Cold War Museum announced it had finished the restoration of Lockheed T-33A-1-LO Shooting Star, 51-9252 (c/n 580-7036), in April.
New RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre opens
On May 5 the new RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre held its opening ceremony in an event attended by around 1,000 people including members of the USAF’s 95th Reconnaissance Squadron.
First visit of a KC-135 to the Mach Loop
A US Air Force 100th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker undertook a low-level training sortie yesterday evening (May 9, 2024), which for the first time included the Mach Loop in Wales.
Dyess Lancers wrap up first Morón B-1 deployment
Four US Air Force Rockwell B-1B Lancers from the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base in Texas recently completed a month-long deployment to Morón Air Base in Spain.
F-35 cross-servicing milestone to greater NATO interoperability
In a significant development of aircraft interoperability across NATO forces, one country’s personnel conducted the first-ever unsupervised F-35 cross-service operation of another air arm’s Lightning IIs.
Spangdahlem ‘Viper’ pilots demo ACE skills
Airmen and F-16CM/DM Fighting Falcons assigned to the USAF’s 480th Fighter Squadron (FS) ‘Warhawks’ – a part of the 52nd Fighter Wing (FW) at Spangdahlem Air Base (AB) in Germany – demonstrated its Agile Combat Employment (ACE) capabilities at Ämari AB, Estonia, and Łask AB, Poland recently.
B-1Bs arrive for first Bomber Task Force in Sweden
Two B-1B Lancers have touched down in Sweden to conduct the first US Air Force Bomber Task Force deployment in the Scandinavian country.