As part of recent U.S. Congressional hearings reviewing the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Authorization Request, it was revealed that the U.S. Air Force is planning to withdraw its F-15E Strike Eagle fighter-bombers from the United Kingdom. Specifically, the aircraft currently stationed at RAF Lakenheath would remain there until the second squadron of F-35 fighters is fully formed and activated, after which they would return to U.S. territory as part of a broader fighter fleet recapitalization plan developed by the service.
The news was hinted at by the current Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, General David W. Allvin, who, when questioned by senators, stated that the institution’s intention is to retain only stealth F-35 aircraft as the fighter platform stationed in Britain. He emphasized, however, that this is not yet a confirmed decision by Air Force leadership. One of the main possibilities under consideration is that at least some of the F-15Es would be transferred to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina, to renew platforms used in combat and training missions.
Reviewing some of General Allvin’s remarks: “The final decision has not been made, but when we look for the right place for them to land, those that have the newer -229 engines, compared to the -220 engines, Seymour Johnson has the 220s, we are looking very closely at the opportunity because Seymour Johnson is going to be pivotal for the F-15E and F-15EX community in terms of the training unit and the operational unit for the E. So certainly it’s an attractive landing spot, but we have not made a final decision.”
It is worth recalling that the arrival of U.S. F-35 fighters in the United Kingdom has been underway since December 2021, when four aircraft arrived at the aforementioned RAF Lakenheath base to integrate with the newly formed 495th Fighter Squadron (nicknamed “Valkyries”). The following year, additional stealth aircraft joined the 493rd Fighter Squadron (also known as “Grim Reapers”), replacing the older F-15C aircraft.
Earlier this year, U.S. European Command officials confirmed in a written statement to Congress that the first squadron was already fully operational at the British base, and that the second squadron was expected to be active by the European fall. The document, published in April, also hinted that once this capability is consolidated, the F-15 models would be withdrawn: “These two squadrons will replace the fourth-generation aircraft currently stationed in Europe with more advanced fifth-generation capabilities.”
*Images used for illustrative purposes
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