A written answer in Parliament has confirmed that both US Air Force F 35 squadrons based at RAF Lakenheath have achieved full operating capacity.
Responding to Ben Obese Jecty MP, defence minister Alistair Carns stated plainly that “the two US Air Force F 35 squadrons stationed at RAF Lakenheath have reached full operating capacity, which was achieved in autumn 2025.”
In the spring, Gen. Christopher Cavoli told the US Senate that the first squadron was already operational and the second would be complete over the summer, with full capability expected by the autumn.
Lakenheath’s F 35 presence centres on the 48th Fighter Wing’s two fifth generation units, the 495th Fighter Squadron and the 493rd Fighter Squadron. The 495th reactivated in 2021, becoming the first USAF F 35A unit permanently based overseas. Together, the two squadrons are programmed to field a combined fleet of 52 aircraft.
Operationally, the squadrons give the United States a standing fifth generation capability in Europe at a time when deterring Russia remains a priority. The aircraft have already forward deployed to Poland and continue to train across the region alongside NATO partners.
The base
RAF Lakenheath lies in Suffolk near the village of Lakenheath, close to Mildenhall and Thetford, with its boundary running alongside Brandon. Although it is an RAF station, it functions as a base for United States Air Force units. The 48th Fighter Wing, known as the Liberty Wing, operates from the site and flies F15E Strike Eagles and F35A Lightning II aircraft under USAFE AFAFRICA.
In November 2024, personnel at RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall and RAF Feltwell reported multiple drone incursions. The unmanned systems varied in size and configuration, and the activity disrupted local flying. Reports indicated that F15E aircraft were scrambled in response, and RAF Regiment units later deployed with the ORCUS counter UAS system following further sightings during the night.
The 48th Fighter Wing supports thousands of service members, civilian staff and families across Lakenheath and Feltwell. It represents the largest American fighter presence in Europe and fields four combat ready squadrons. The Liberty name dates to 1954 during the wing’s service in France, a designation that became formally recognised shortly afterwards.
Thankfully we now have these 52 airplanes guarding Europe. Without them we would be forced to rely solely on the 4,000 combat aircraft stationed in Europe by other NATO members.
🫡🇺🇸
4000?
Without counting them all up that is probably about right. Maybe 800-1000 in the UK alone.
Could always do with some more but when push come to shove everyone counts.
We have about 140 active fast jets. What else classes as a combat aircraft. Perhaps 40 Apache and the same with Chinook and Lynx. Fewer Merlin. A handful of P8 .I guess that tankers and freighters are included but then again about 30 plus. There are some in reserve but I don’t think we have any pilots.
Jim didn’t say fast jets. Also currently fast jets don’t reallly feature in the air war in Ukraine. Have fast jets even got a place in modern air warfare? Well the answer is probably yes to a point …..
Where?
800-1000 of what in the UK?? Fast Jets? Even if you count old warbirds flying, gate guards, and instructional frames at the likes of Cosford I doubt you get that many.
To be fair Danielle Jim was not restricting himself to fast jets. We have spitfires, hurricanes etc. which are combat aircraft and indeed have been combat aircraft. I am certainly including most helecopters (and tankers etc. because I am feeling generous and indeed they support a combat role in a number of ways). In many ways I was looking at the number of operational aircraft because even if they are not combat aircraft today they would be quickly after any hostilities were declared.
Old aircraft wouldn’t fair well obviously against fast jets but they would do OK against slow drones etc. Also don’t forget we do have drones as well. Just because they have not pilots doesn’t mean they aren’t aircraft.
If you count up everything it’s about 850.. but I do mean everything owned by the armed forces that flies.. that includes the 150-230 Grobs… which you cannot really call combat aircraft.
Yes, which was the figure in the latec80s for Strike Command alone, about 850.
The initial comments were on combat aircraft, which to me is a fast jet.
The MoD, in their spin tactics, usually include their gliders in the aircraft totals as well.
100 Typhoon.
40 odd F35.
9P8
3RC135
10 out of 16 Protector.
6 Shadow or less now
22 Atlas
8 C17
9 Voyager, I don’t include the other 5.
28 Hawk.
13 Texan.
5 Phenom.
50 odd Chinook.
6 HC145
2 Envoy.
2 Heli at Northolt.
Grobs, ridiculous.
30 heli at Shawbury, we don’t own any of them, 2 or 3 more at Valley.
50 Apache.
28 Wildcat
5 Dauphin.
28 Wildcat.
24 Merlin.
30 Merlin.
4 Avenger.
There are also those 3 unacknowledged ISTAR aircraft bought, whatever they are.
About 500 excluding Grobs.
What have I missed?
Shameful.
Just to add to the very short list I do believe that HMG has actually not formally disposed of the tranche 1s.. they are still on the list of assets, HMG also bungs BAE 2-3 typhoons for them to mess around with.. so it’s still formally 137.. I suspect that they will be keeping them all for parts to be honest… as an interesting note there is one tranche 1 that only ever flew for 5 hours.. and was never flown by the RAF, it was delivered and stored..what a waste.
So list with some millitary usage
fixed wing:
fast jets 177, ISTAR/patrol 20, tanker/transport 48. Jet trainers 40, 5 business jet trainers,
Rotor: transport 81, trainer 42, 50 gunships, 62 attack/reccon, ASW 44
Heavy drones 16
So that’s 585 aircraft in theory that have some military use.. ( some of that is limited like the hawk T2 or EMB-500 Phenom ) and some will be in bits like the Tranche 1 typhoons and 30% of the Merlin’s.
I’m putting the Grobs and Texans as having no military use.
The three un acknowledged ISTAR assets are I believe the 3 Zephyrs 8s that the MOD purchased in 2016 and then stuck in storage for some bizarre reason
Interesting….I thought it was a more recent purchase since of something, so I’d discounted the Zephyrs.
If it is, where did you see it stated they were bought and stored? I’ve been trying to find out who flew them for some time.
That Typhoon, I’d not known of that until you detailed it the other day. Amazing.
You are correct there is mention of another ISTAR purchase of 3 in 2025, Gareth Jennings did say that he would make a bet they were Zephyrs… drone wars also lists them as possibly new Zephyrs as its seems to be linked to a second stage of project Aether or its 3 Phasa 35s as this Was essentially the other competitor.
The original zephyrs purchased in 2016 were essentially popped into storage after 2 crashed in 2019 on test flights. One is essentially damaged and in bits, the other two are in storage, they are all at AALTO Aerospace Blvd, Farnborough GU14 6FF.
UK spend on Zephyrs as of June 2024.
The total spending on Zephyr is as follows:
• 2016-2018: £11.7 million
• 2019-2021: £2.4 million ( I would imagine that was shutting down and repairs)
• 2022-current: £0
The FOI with the information is FOI2024/08119
Good post mate, thank you.
Chat GPT and Gemini have various ranges from 2150 to 4,000.
It’s a lot more than 52 was my point.
I had quite a few trolls on here claim the four US fighter squadrons based in Europe were all the kept the Russians from invading.
Check your AI sources, that’s not exactly a narrow margin 😉
I take your point. USA for ever !!??
Clearly the trolls repeat FSB talking points for kopecks, but there is one perspective that has a little truth to it, which is these F15 and F35A are B61-12 tactical nuclear weapon capable, and Lakenheath has a stock of B61-12 there too.
So until RAF actually deploy F35A, the USAF 48th Liberty Wing are the European theatre deterrence of RF tactical nuclear weapons. That message to the aggressors is loud and clear.
IIRC half a dozen European NATO countries are also signed up and equipped with B61-12 capable aircraft so USAF are not the only deterrence just the only end to end US units with maximum credibility.
Then you agree that the US should withdraw all of its fighter aircraft from Europe and deploy them for its own interests, not Europe’s. Great we agree on something.
And you really think the U.S. armed forces are in Europe as a charity and not to support its own interests.. grow up. Every nation only works in its own interests..nations are by their very nature amoral. Now you can argue with your own counties interpretation of what is its own interests.. but don’t ever pretend it’s some form of charity work. When your nation is fighting for its very survival as the major pacific power against china.. they UK will be supporting the US not because of charity but because it’s in our interest.. the UK deployed a total of 196,000 service personnel to support the U.S. war on terror in its own interests, costing 638 lives.. because what geostrategically literate people understand is letting your natural allies get subsumed or neutralised by your natural enemies is essentially the hight of self sabotage… you don’t agree with me but essentially the European democracies and the U.S. separating their interests just as china and Russia are forming a block that can overtake them is essentially the geostrategic equivalent of blowing their own legs off.. but then I am pretty sure your a Chinese communist party troll so your probably just doing what your paid to do by your party..
The US does not really care… They deploy assets for their interests.
Nations do not have permanent allies, just mutual interests.