News US Air Force aircraft deploy to Baltics, Poland for Operation Rapid Forge July 25, 2019 A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II, assigned to the 421st Fighter Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, takes off at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, July 16, during Operation Rapid Forge. Rapid Forge aircraft are forward deploying to bases in the territory of NATO allies in order to enhance readiness and improve interoperability. The goal of the operation is to enhance readiness in coordination with U.S. allies and partners in Europe. A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle, assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, takes off at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, July 16, during Operation Rapid Forge. Four U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft deployed from the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, taxi on a runway during Operation Rapid Forge at Powidz Air Base, Poland, July 16. Two F-15 Strike Eagle aircraft deployed from the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., taxi on a runway during Operation Rapid Forge on Powidz Air Base, Poland, July 16. A U.S. Air Force member from the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., gives taxi instructions to an F-15 Strike Eagle fighter jet pilot during Operation Rapid Forge on Powidz Air Base, Poland, July, 16. Operation Rapid Forge is intended to enhance interoperability with NATO allies to improve combined operational capabilities A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft sits on a runway during Operation Rapid Forge on Powidz Air Base, Poland, July 16. This is the first time that a U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft has landed in Poland. Rapid Forge is a U.S. Air Forces in Europe-led mission to enhance readiness and test the ability to function at locations other than the main airbases. « Previous × Next » Share Tweet