F-35A CENTCOM Deployment 

Nine F-35A Lightning II fighter jets from the 495th Fighter Squadron “Valkyries” at RAF Lakenheath deployed to the Middle East. The aircraft were sent to support U.S. military operations in the region, using their advanced capabilities to conduct missions such as protecting other aircraft, gathering information, and carrying out precision strikes when needed.

9 Departed on July 17th 2026 with multiple other F-15Es and F-35As deploying the following weeks.