F-35A Lightning II aircraft from the 34th Fighter Squadron, 388th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, depart Vermont Air National Guard Base in South Burlington, Vt, Feb. 16, 2022. These deployments were conducted in full coordination with host nations and NATO military authorities, and although temporary in nature, they are prudent measures to increase readiness and enhance NATOs collective defense during this period of uncertainty. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Davis)
Vermont Business Magazine The conflict between Ukraine and Russia made its presence felt Wednesday in parts of South Burlington and Williston. In the early morning of February 16, F-35A Lightning II aircraft from the 34th Fighter Squadron, 388th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, departed the Vermont Air National Guard Base in transit to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.
The F-35s took off in two groups around 3 am and 4 am. Typically the VTANG daily training flights will run east southeast over Route 2 before heading south. Early Wednesday, these F-35s banked east northeast in the direction of Mt Mansfield.
The Vermont National Guard issued this statement Wednesday: "We understand the concern experienced by some this morning, and while the Vermont National Guard will not respond to individual comments related to this mission, the Public Affairs Office has logged all concerns and leadership takes each comment seriously. As an operational F-35 Fighter Wing, the Vermont Air National Guard does everything in its control to balance F-35 mission requirements with the impact on the local community. There are times when operational security and real-world missions prevent the sharing of information on specific aircraft movements. Please continue to follow vtguard.com/F-35 for the most up-to-date, releasable information."
Here is the full press release provided by U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs:
U.S. aircraft head to Europe to enhance NATO's collective defense
- Published Feb. 16, 2022
- U.S. Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- In coordination with the German government, U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft arrived at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Feb. 16, 2022, to bolster readiness, enhance NATO's collective defense posture and further increase air integration capabilities with Allied and Partner nations.
F-35A Lightning II aircraft from the 34th Fighter Squadron, 388th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah are agile, versatile, high-performance, 9g capable multirole fighters that combine stealth, sensor fusion and unprecedented situational awareness. The aircraft are equipped for a variety of missions to deter aggression and defend Allies should deterrence fail.
“The deployment of U.S. F-35As to Spangdahlem Air Base increases the defensive posture of the NATO Alliance and enhances our ability to operate together,” said Gen. Jeff Harrigian, Commander U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa and Commander Allied Air Command. “We are facing a dynamic environment and this deployment significantly enhances our support to NATO’s defenses.”
In addition to the F-35A deployment to Spangdahlem Air Base, on Feb. 14, 2022, eight F-15Es from the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., deployed to Lask, Poland, and six KC-135 Stratotankers from the 100th Aerial Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, U.K., deployed to Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
These deployments were conducted in full coordination with host nations and NATO military authorities, and although temporary in nature, they are prudent measures to increase readiness and enhance NATOs collective defense during this period of uncertainty.
