The US will send F-35, F-15C, F-16 fighters and A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft to Europe in the largest transatlantic movement ever

The US Air National Guard is preparing for the largest movement of forces across the Atlantic Ocean in its history. The service will send 100 aircraft to the US to take part in the Air Defender 2023 military exercise.

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The upcoming exercise will take place from June 12 to 22. They are designed to demonstrate the US Air National Guard's ability to quickly deploy and use forces across Europe in the event that war in Ukraine spreads to NATO countries. Lieutenant General Michael Loh made the announcement.

The United States will send approximately 100 aircraft to Germany for the 10-day exercise. They include fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters, upgraded fourth-generation F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft and the older F-15C Eagle along with the legendary A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft. They will be supported by Pegasus air refuelers.

Air Defender 2023 will be the first exercise in which Finland, as a NATO member, will participate. It has not yet received F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation fighters, so it will send F/A-18 Super Hornets. Ingo Gerhartz, Lieutenant General of the German Air Force, announced about it.

The German military officer reminded that Germany ordered F-35 fighters in 2022. Deliveries will start in 2027 and pilots will go to the US for training in 2026. The deal to buy 35 aircraft was worth $8.85bn.

Source: Defence One