USAF F-35A in Europe
For almost ten weeks this summer, the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron ‘Black Widows’ – with personnel drawn from the active-duty 388th and reserve 419th Fighter Wings – settled in Europe as part of a Theater Security Package. Erik Bruijns and Mark de Greeuw joined them.
A Theater Security Package (TSP) is a rotational force deployed by the USAF to conduct training, enhance readiness and interoperability and in the process assures allies, deters adversaries and demonstrates commitment to a particular region. While the first six F-35As touched down at Aviano Air Base in Italy on May 23, airmen from the Air Force Reserve Command’s 466th Fighter Squadron (FS) joined their colleagues of the 421st FS during the latest European Deterrence Initiative deployment. A second batch of six Lightning IIs followed two days later. Earlier this year construction work began on the runway at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, providing much-needed repairs under a threephase project. As of June 1, the runway was completely closed and flight activities needed to be relocated. Forward deployment of the 421st to Europe and participation in different manoeuvres gave the unit an ideal chance to test its skills in real-life situations.
