by U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa Public Affairs August 23, 2024
A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II from the 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, flies alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England, during a find, fix, track and target exercise over Poland, Aug. 13, 2024. The KC-135 has served as a core air refueling asset of the U.S. Air Force for over 60 years, providing global reach capabilities for NATO and allied aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Campbell)
U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs from the 48th Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force Lakenheath and KC-135 Stratotankers from the 100th Air Refueling Wing at Royal Air Force Mildenhall participated in a find, fix, track, and target exercise, along with F-35s operated by NATO Allies, over Poland, Tuesday.
U.S. Air Force Capt. Travis Cole, 351st Air Refueling Squadron pilot, prepares for engine start procedures at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Aug. 13, 2024. Preparing a KC-135 Stratotanker for takeoff requires both the aircrew and maintainers to work together to maintain safety. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Campbell)
F2T2 exercises are multi-domain operations that can include participants from across the air, land, sea, cyber, and space domains. In this exercise, U.S. and NATO Ally aircraft were used to locate notional targets and communicate target locations to assets on the ground with the capability to strike in an established time limit.
A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lighting II from the 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England, during a find, fix, track and target exercise over Poland, Aug. 13, 2024. The successful execution of this exercise demonstrates the close cooperation between U.S. and allied forces, builds on previous efforts to enhance NATO interoperability, and furthers shared commitment to global security and stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Campbell)
The training and partnership opportunities provided by this F2T2 exercise, and those like it, enhance U.S., Allied and partner-nation multi-domain combat capabilities and underscores NATO’s shared commitment to global security and stability.
For more information, please contact the USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs office at usafepao.pao@us.af.mil.