The U.S. Air Force 48th Fighter Wing will conduct a readiness exercise beginning Sept. 8-10, and again Sept. 14-17 that will include limited flying at night.
The details were given in a 1 September media release, to announce that during this period, communities in East Anglia and the surrounding regions may see and hear U.S. aircraft taking off, landing, and transiting between RAF Lakenheath and training ranges over the North Sea several times between 7:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Overland flying will be limited as much as possible between sunset and sunrise.
Exercises like this provide both aircrew and support personnel stationed at RAF Lakenheath the experience needed to maintain a ready force capable of ensuring the collective defence of the NATO alliance.
“We must train like we fight in order to maintain operational readiness, and night flying is a critical muscle we must continue to flex,” said Col. Jason Camilletti, 48th Fighter Wing commander. “We understand the disturbance this may cause to our local communities, and appreciate the patience and understanding as we ensure our Airmen remain trained and ready to secure the sovereign skies anytime, day or night.”
The exercise does not include plans for low-altitude flying in East Anglia or the surrounding regions. All training will be conducted in accordance with Ministry of Defence and U.K. airspace regulations.
