Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1467328
along with four F-16 jets. Almost simultaneously, the US has deployed its F-15Es to Amari, coming from the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing based in Seymour Johnson (tail code SJ). Before being deployed in the Baltics, the Eagles had been flying out of RAF Lakenheath AFB. Then, within the framework of the Enhanced Air Policing effort, they were deployed to the Polish 32nd Tactical Airbase in Łask - there they joined 8 F-15C jets from the 493rd Fighter Squadron „Grim Reapers" (LN tail code, 48th Fighter Wing). The Grim Reapers have been deployed to Łask since mid- February, within the scope of the eAP deployment. This has been the last combat deployment for the „Grim Reapers". The Squadron is going to leave Lakenheath and receive the F-35s. When it comes to the F-35A, 12 Lightnings from the Hill AB 34th Fighter Squadron (HL tail code) were deployed to Spangdahlem in Germany, in mid-February. Some of them (probably 2 aircraft to each base) were deployed to Siauliai and Amari. F-35As from the 495th Fighter Squadron based in Lakenheath (LN tail code) also made (most probably) a brief appearance at Amari. They arrived at their UK home base just a few months back. The 495th FS is a newly established unit that would somewhat replace the „Grim Reapers" in the European theater. The stealth fleet in the region also involves the RAF's F-35Bs, deployed from the RAF Marham base (the legendary 617th Squadron). As announced in early March, France would reinforce the Amari AB assets, with the Mirage 2000Cs coming from the famous EC 1/2 storks squadron - four aircraft were expected. One shall also mention the fact that the Siauliai AB has been hosting the US Army RC-12 reconnaissance aircraft. For many years these have been active in the Baltic States. There is little information available on the missions that those assets fly. The „southern frontline" (it's high time to get used to this term), has also been extensively reinforced by the allies. The Romanian base in Constanta hosts an Italian eAP contingent, first consisting of four, and then 8 Eurofighter Typhoons. The Italians arrived in Romania in December, taking over the mission from the Canadians. The formula here is identical to in the case of the Baltic Air Policing operation in the Baltics. Luftwaffe sent six Eurofighters to Romania as well, in February. The jets come from the Taktische Luftgeschwader 74. USAF has deployed eight F-16Cs to Fetesti, Romania, coming from the 480th Fighter Squadron (52nd Fighter Wing from Spangdahlem, designated with the SP tail code). This is yet another enhancement of the allied www.fragoutmag.com