U.S. F-22 Raptor fighter jets and support personnel arrived in Germany on Friday for a brief stay to be followed by 1st Cavalry Division troops in the continuing build-up of forces against Russian aggression in Eastern Europe.
Four F-22s from the 95th Fighter Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida and a C-17 Globemaster carrying 60 support airmen and equipment flew into Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany to begin a series of training exercises across Eastern Europe with NATO allies, U.S. European Command said in a statement.
The first deployment of the most advanced Air Force fighters to Europe was to last through mid-September as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve -- NATO’s effort to train Ukrainian troops, provide air cover over the Baltic States and Poland and deploy U.S. troops to Europe on a rotational basis.
Earlier, the Army announced about 450 soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 227th Aviation, 1st Cavalry Division stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, will deploy to Germany in November for a nine-month rotation with U.S. Army Europe.
The battalion will execute medical transport and aviation operations throughout Europe in training exercises with allies, the Army said in a statement.
The rotational deployment "shows our commitment to improve interoperability and strengthen relationships" with allies, said Maj. Gen. Michael Bills, commander of the 1st Cav.
Separately, the Army announced that about 300 soldiers from the 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade of the 10th Mountain Division based at Fort Drum, New York, will deploy to South Korea in early October for a nine-month rotation with U.S. Forces Korea.
The squadron will support ongoing training and operations throughout South Korea, using aircraft and equipment currently stationed in the area, the Army said in a statement.
Upon returning the Fort Drum, the 6th Squadron will transition to become an Attack Reconnaissance Squadron by fielding AH-64 Apache helicopters and RQ-7 drones.
--Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@military.com.
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