F-22A Raptor 10-4192 27FS at RAF Lakenheath - John Bilcliffe

Six F-22A Raptors deploy to RAF Lakenheath (October 2017)
Six USAF F-22A Raptors were deployed to RAF Lakenheath on Sunday 8th October 2017, at about 4.30pm.

The six aircraft were:- 08-4154 (94th FS), 08-4155 (94th FS), 08-4171 (94th FS), 09-4172 (27th FS), 09-4175 (27th FS) and 10-4192 (27th FS).

The Raptors, Airmen and equipment are from the 27th Fighter Squadron 'Fighting Eagles' and 94th Fighter Squadron 'Hat in the Ring', Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.

The F-22s mission is to maximize training opportunities, demonstrate their steadfast commitment to NATO Allies and deter any actions that may destabilize regional security. They will also forward deploy from RAF Lakenheath to other NATO bases in Europe.

The last time that F-22A Raptors deployed to RAF Lakenheath was in April 2016 when the base was visited by twelve aircraft from the 95th Fighter Squadron (nicknamed 'Boneheads'), 325th Fighter Wing at Tyndall Air Force Base, in Florida. Click here for more information about the April 2016 deployment.

RAF Lakenheath
RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, is home to the 48th Fighter Wing, also known as the Liberty Wing, which includes three squadrons of McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle aircraft as well as the 56th/57th Rescue Squadrons of HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters.

• 492nd Fighter Squadron - F-15E Strike Eagle.
• 493rd Fighter Squadron - F-15C/D Eagle.
• 494th Fighter Squadron - F-15E Strike Eagle.
• 56th/57th Rescue Squadrons - HH-60G Pave Hawk.

More information about RAF lakenheath can be found by Clicking here.

Lockheed Martin F-22A 'Raptor'
The Lockheed Martin F-22A 'Raptor' is a fifth-generation single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather stealth tactical fighter aircraft developed for the United States Air Force. The aircraft is considered to be unmatched by any known or projected fighter and the combination of stealth, aerodynamic performance, and situational awareness gives the aircraft unprecedented air combat capabilities.

It is the first operational aircraft to combine supercruise, supermaneuverability, stealth, and sensor fusion. It can sustain supersonic flight without the use of afterburners and the two turbofan engines, which each have a maximum thrust of 35,000 lb, incorporate thrust vectoring nozzles, for increased maneuverability. Air to Air and Air to Surface weapons are carried in three internal weapons bays so that the Raptor can maintain its stealth capabilities.

Raptor 08-4154 94FS at Lakenheath John Bilcliffe	Raptor 08-4155 94FS at Lakenheath John Bilcliffe	Raptor 08-4171 94FS at Lakenheath John Bilcliffe
Raptor 09-4172 27FS at Lakenheath John Bilcliffe	Raptor 09-4175 27FS at Lakenheath John Bilcliffe	Raptor 10-4192 27FS at Lakenheath John Bilcliffe

Exercise Eastern Zephyr
The six F-22 Raptors at RAF Lakenheath are flying alongside the 48th Fighter Wing (Lakenheath's F-15s) and the Royal Air Force in support of Exercise Eastern Zephyr, aiming to improve capabilities in order to maintain a safe and secure Europe.

Spangdahlem Air Base forward deployment
Two F-22A Raptors (08-4154 & 08-4155), along with a KC-135 Stratotanker (RAF Mildenhall) and about ten supporting airmen, forward deployed from Lakenheath to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, on Friday 13th October 2017, to train with USAF F-16s. They returned to RAF Lakenheath on Saturday 14th October.

Powidz Air Base forward deployment
Two F-22A Raptors (08-4154 & 08-4171) with a KC-135 Stratotanker (RAF Mildenhall) and about ten supporting airmen, forward deployed from Lakenheath to Powidz Air Base, Poland, on Tuesday 17th October 2017, to conduct local air training. They returned to RAF Lakenheath on the same day.

A further six F-22 Raptors land at RAF Lakenheath
Another six F-22A Raptors arrived at RAF Lakenheath on Tuesday 17th October 2017. These six aircraft are:- 08-4153 (94th FS), 09-4183 (94th FS) and 09-4179 (94th FS), 09-4182 (27th FS), 09-4185 (27th FS), 09-4176 (27th FS). These are also from the 27th Fighter Squadron 'Fighting Eagles' and 94th Fighter Squadron 'Hat in the Ring', Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.

Raptor 09-4185 27FS at Lakenheath Matt Varley	Raptor 09-4176 27FS at Lakenheath Matt Varley	Raptor 09-4182 27FS at Lakenheath Matt Varley
Raptor 08-4153 94FS at Lakenheath Matt Varley	Raptor 09-4183 94FS at Lakenheath Matt Varley	Raptor 09-4179 94FS at Lakenheath Matt Varley

F-22 Raptors Return Home
On Thursday 19th October, six F-22 Raptors returned home. They were:- 09-4185 (27th FS), 09-4175 (27th FS), 09-4182 (27th FS), 08-4153 (94th FS), 09-4183 (94th FS) and 09-4179 (94th FS).

On Friday 20th October, the last six F-22 Raptors also returned home. They were:- 09-4176 (27th FS), 09-4172 (27th FS), 10-4192 (27th FS), 08-4171 (94th FS), 08-4154 (94th FS), and 08-4155 (94th FS).

Article & photos - John Bilcliffe & Matt Varley.