The Air Force is set to deploy its high-tech, fifth-generation F-35A fighter jets to Europe this weekend as part of an effort
to assure U.S. allies there who are worried about Russian aggression, the Pentagon announced Friday.
Aside from the Russian situation, the deployment is
also a chance for the United States to show off the capabilities of the F-35, which has been the most expensive procurement program in Pentagon history.
Allies such as Great Britain are buying the aircraft and could be regularly operating in Europe early in the next decade.
The Pentagon called the deployment an "
important milestone."
"This training deployment signifies an important milestone and
natural progression of the F-35 program, allowing the Air Force to further demonstrate the operational capabilities of the fifth generation fighter aircraft. It also assists in refining requirements for eventually basing the F-35A in Europe, which is scheduled to receive the aircraft in the early 2020s," the statement said. "Once the aircraft arrive in Europe, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. European Command will release additional information as it becomes available about the F-35A's training deployment."
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/us-deploys-f-35s-to-putins-doorstep-amid-russia-tension/article/2620298
