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F-22 Raptor officially deployed to Europe - first 4 arrive in Germany

Fenrir

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F-22 Raptors Descend On Europe In Historical Deployment

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Just days after Air Force Secretary Deborah James hinted at a looming inaugural F-22 deployment to Europe, four F-22A Raptors of the 95th Fighter Squadron out Tyndall AFB in Florida arrived over Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany. This marked the first operational deployment of F-22s to Europe in its decade-old operational career.

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The four F-22s, along with a pair of spares that turned back after the four primary jets were well on their way, flew straight to Germany as a “TABOR” flight, utilizing aerial refueling tankers along the way. A C-17A Globemaster III from Travis AFB in California. packed with the squadron’s gear and about 60 airman, was dispatched to support the Raptors’ overseas mission.


The Raptor deployment is so far a fairly light one, with just four jets. It appears to fit some of the parameters of the Air Combat Command’s Rapid Raptor concept, in which a quartet of F-22s could be deployed anywhere in the world in 24 hours along with a C-17 full of their gear and support personnel. This concept has been drilled many times before, although not in the European Theater.

The concept is part of an initiative to quickly deploy America’s most potent combat capabilities to the forward edge of hostilities at a moment’s notice. With this in mind, if this F-22 deployment is a snap drill under the Rapid Raptor concept of operations, it will act as a message to potential enemies showing just how fast advanced U.S. air power can be in-theater if need be.

As to what the Raptors will be doing in Europe, General Frank Gorenc, the commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa stated:

“This inaugural Raptor training deployment is the perfect opportunity for these advanced aircraft to train alongside other U.S. Air Force aircraft, joint partners, and NATO allies... It’s important we test our infrastructure, aircraft capabilities, and the talented Airmen and allies who will host 5th generation aircraft in Europe... This deployment advances our airpower evolution and demonstrates our resolve and commitment to European safety and security.”

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The miniature F-22 force now in Europe could be bolstered by more F-22s once the initial group has settled in, and like their F-15 compatriots that flew with multiple NATO allies throughout Europe before bedding down in Romania (where they remain today), the F-22s are likely do the same. There is already even a rumor that the Raptors may fly missions with European JAS-39 Gripens.

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The execution of a Rapid Raptor-like deployment to Europe is an interesting choice for Pentagon. It does fit nicely into Defense Secretary Ashton Carter’s “strong and balanced” approach to deterring Russian aggression and reassuring our European allies.

The fact of the matter is that a four-ship deployment of F-22s maybe quite symbolic and useful for international training, but it really is not a large threat to Russia. Nonetheless, a reminder that America has air combat capabilities for which Russia has no direct antidote, ones that the Pentagon is now willing to deploy at a moment’s notice to Europe, is a strong message to Moscow in itself.

Additionally, the F-22, although not perfect (by choice), has a renowned ability to enable other platforms via sucking up huge amounts of battlefield information, which gives even a handful of the stealthy, super-cruising jets the ability to enhance even the most meager force’s fighting capability.

The dispatch of just four F-22s to Europe also keeps a key playing card for the White House and the Pentagon off the table... for now. If things were to heat up, the arrival of a couple dozen or so more of the world’s most capable air dominance fighter on Russia’s front doorstep wouldn’t be a nuanced message. It would be much closer to a battle cry.

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Remember, to prevent the Russian's from ascertaining the F-22's RCS, these aircraft will likely conduct air patrols using drop-tanks or Luneburg lenses:

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@AMDR @F-22Raptor @C130 @Peter C @James Jaevid - Welcome to Europe:cheers:!!!
 
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nice pics. the f22 in Europe is just for show of support only and to provoke a Russian response and then call it an act of aggression. nothing more.
 
The f22 in Europe is just for show

Yes, but in the same way that 150 M1A2s (and other vehicles) being stored in Norway are a show of support:

norway%20resupply%201.jpg


1*slYej8K5xo5Kyhx8drB6uQ.jpeg


They're there if needed, and frankly, we appreciate the showing. At this time, when NATO's unity is being tested by the Ukraine crisis, a show of force from the Americans and a re-affirmation of their commitment is what Europe needs.

to provoke a Russian response

Isn't this backwards? Wasn't it Russia's belligerence and activities in and around Eastern Europe that caused this deployment?

There was no indication of a Raptor deployment to Europe pre-Ukraine crisis.
 
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Yes, but in the same way that 150 M1A2s (and other vehicles) being stored in Norway are a show of of support:

norway%20resupply%201.jpg


1*slYej8K5xo5Kyhx8drB6uQ.jpeg


They're there if needed, and frankly, we appreciate the showing. At this time, when NATO's unity is being tested by the Ukraine crisis, a show of force from the Americans and a re-affirmation of their commitment is what Europe needs.
do you honestly believe there will be a war where it will be nato vs russia? if so you are obsessed and should stopp prepping and get in to reality. its blown over way to much

Isn't this backwards? Wasn't it Russia's belligerence and activities in and around Eastern Europe that caused this deployment?

There was no indication of a Raptor deployment to Europe pre-Ukraine crisis.

no, when the previous Ukrainian president leant more towards russia because if he did they will get gas very cheaply. and get other incentives. incentives which Europe could not provide, then they replaced him forcibly and replaced him with some fat candy king billionaire they call a president. the country is in turmoil and the only thing the is doing is getting loans from the imf which in the future will ruin them even more. its like herion. at first your curious then you like it and want more and more and more. and then in the end bam! it kills you. he so call presidant does not use his own money to help his own people. if you want my opinion i support Putin. you being Norwegian i don't think you will agree with me. russia told Sweden if you turn against you are a nuclear target and recommend they remain neutral , what do they do? they turn against them.
 
Yes, but in the same way that 150 M1A2s (and other vehicles) being stored in Norway are a show of of support:

norway%20resupply%201.jpg


1*slYej8K5xo5Kyhx8drB6uQ.jpeg


They're there if needed, and frankly, we appreciate the showing. At this time, when NATO's unity is being tested by the Ukraine crisis, a show of force from the Americans and a re-affirmation of their commitment is what Europe needs.



Isn't this backwards? Wasn't it Russia's belligerence and activities in and around Eastern Europe that caused this deployment?

There was no indication of a Raptor deployment to Europe pre-Ukraine crisis.

Why don't you fight the Russians fairly ? :pissed:

Lets see how Norway performs against the Russian Bear one vs one ? :azn:

I want front seat rows for this match though ! :D
 
Lets see how Norway performs against the Russian Bear one vs one ? :azn:

Like this?

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Why don't you fight the Russians fairly ? :pissed:

Why don't the Russian's fight us fairly?

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And what is fair in war anyway? One side is going to us its advantage over the other, our trump card is the US and NATO, Russia's is vodka - it makes them to weird things:wacko:.

I want front seat rows for this match though ! :D

Cool, you can join Vader:

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Be mindful of our spies though, they can be a bit rough:

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Like this?

arkiv_FMS2006_516_document.jpg




Why don't the Russian's fight us fairly?

FoolhardySmartDobermanpinscher.gif


And what is fair in war anyway? One side is going to us its advantage over the other, our trump card is the US and NATO, Russia's is vodka - it makes them to weird things:wacko:.



Cool, you can join Vader:

darth-vader-arctic-1.jpg


Be mindful of our spies though, they can be a bit rough:

The%20New%20Cold%20War%20antarctica%202.jpg

Thats like using a bat with a metal core when playing baseball - Cheating ! :tsk:

Heck the only reason we don't annex Norway is because the Norwegian weather doesn't allow Mango cultivation ! :(
 
interesting, should have at least 48 Raptors in Europe at any given time. assuming a 10 to 1 kill ratio that's a game changer til the calvary arrives.


shame FB-22 never happened a few in Europe would make the enemy sweat bullets

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Heck the only reason we don't annex Norway is because the Norwegian weather doesn't allow Mango cultivation ! :(

True, true mangoes are awesome, I like them in a smoothie myself, but if you annex ( :sarcastic: good luck with that, how'd you even get here? Your navy and air-force can't reach us, are you going to march your way here?) Norway you can have all the berries you'd like:

Berry Season in Norway - My Little Norway

Thats like using a bat with a metal core when playing baseball - Cheating ! :tsk:

Cheating:o:.

:astagh:

Not if it's the acceptable norm that both nations adhere too:

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To be fair, our relations with Russia are rather cordial. We keep an eye on them though:

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Knee-high snow, nice:cheers:
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When we do say hello, it's usually pretty friendly:

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Doesn't mean we don't like to poke each other:

http://www.newsweek.com/2015/03/27/...rway-accidentally-handed-russians-314989.html

Our concern with Russia is primarily in the Arctic, not Eastern Europe:

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Still, we take our NATO commitment seriously and thus support regional nations and the US as best we can, which includes hosting US gear and harassing Russia - which we'd do without NATO too.

*Our dispute isn't exactly pressing either:

https://www.regjeringen.no/globalassets/upload/ud/vedlegg/folkerett/avtale_engelsk.pdf

Evolution of Arctic Territorial Claims and Agreements: A Timeline (1903-Present) | Infographics | The Stimson Center | Pragmatic Steps for Global Security
 

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