20150911_Spangdahlem (ETAD)
End of August 2015, 4 Tyndall F-22 Raptors and approximately 60 Airmen assigned to the 325 Fighter Wing arrived at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, to train with allied air forces and U.S. services through mid-September. This first-ever F-22 training deployment to Europe was funded by the European Reassurance Initiative, and provided support to bolster the security of the NATO Allies and partners in Europe. The training proved that 5th generation fighters can deploy successfully to European bases and other NATO installations while also affording the chance for familiarization flight training within the European theater. It also gave them the chance to conduct combat air training with different aircraft like U.S. F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons.
I witnessed the departure on their last day at Spangdahlem. Unfortunately for them (but very nice for the photographers near to the base) their tanker support had problems and they had to return to base. Later in the afternoon, the 4 Raptor's departed again for Mildenhall, from where they crossed the Atlantic again towards their homebase in Florida, USA.
Read MoreI witnessed the departure on their last day at Spangdahlem. Unfortunately for them (but very nice for the photographers near to the base) their tanker support had problems and they had to return to base. Later in the afternoon, the 4 Raptor's departed again for Mildenhall, from where they crossed the Atlantic again towards their homebase in Florida, USA.
