A U.S. airmAn prepares an A-10 Thunderbolt II for takeoff at RAF Lakenheath, England, on Wednesday, July 16, 2015. The U.S. deployed 12 A-10s to Europe earlier this year, and the planes have stopped at various bases throughout the Continent. (Adam L. Mathis/Stars and Stripes)
A U.S. airmAn prepares an A-10 Thunderbolt II for takeoff at RAF Lakenheath, England, on Wednesday, July 16, 2015. The U.S. deployed 12 A-10s to Europe earlier this year, and the planes have stopped at various bases throughout the Continent. (Adam L. Mathis/Stars and Stripes)
An A-10 Thunderbolt II takes off from RAF Lakenheath, England, on July 15, 2015. Two A-10s came to England to train and participate in air shows. (Adam L. Mathis/Stars and Stripes)
RAF LAKENHEATH, England — U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs have returned to England after touring Europe as part of an initiative to reassure NATO allies.
Two A-10s arrived at RAF Lakenheath, England, earlier this week. They trained with F-15Cs and participated in combat-search-and-rescue training, said Capt. Jessica Wyble, an A-10 pilot.
The A-10s are scheduled to participate in the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford — billed as the world’s largest military air show — which starts on Friday, Wyble said.
They are part of a group of 12 that deployed to Europe in February from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona.
The deployment was originally intended to bolster regional security and reassure NATO member states concerned about Russia’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
The A-10s were in England in March for five days to train with NATO forces.
mathis.adam@stripes.com Twitter: @AMathisStripes
