WATCH: F-35B First Transatlantic Flight – Aerial Refuelling

Video of three F-35Bs aircraft making the types first transatlantic flight.

Three F-35’s flew from MacDill AFB in Tampa, Florida and landed at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, UK. They were assisted by Air Force KC-10 tankers and refuelled 15 times over the Atlantic.

Three British and American F-35 combat aircraft have landed in the UK following a successful Trans-Atlantic crossing.

The US Marine Corps had revealed plans last year regarding sending a pair of F-35B’s to two air shows in Britain this summer, it is understood that this is in addition to one British aircraft.

The British and American aircraft are in the UK for two major airshows.

Deputy Commandant for Aviation Lieutenant General Jon Davis said:

“The US Marine Corps is looking forward to demonstrating the capabilities of the F-35B Lightning II in the skies over the United Kingdom this July.”

It is understood that the joint US Marine Corps and UK detachment will “utilise the flights in order to validate foreign deployment activities and to prove program interoperability.”

The aircraft touched down at RAF Fairford, one British and two American jets, along with their tanker and support aircraft.