F-22s Begin European Training

Two F-22 Raptors have arrived at Łask Air Base in Poland for allied training.

The Air Force announced the inaugural training deployment to Europe earlier this month, as part of the European Reassurance Initiative to provide support to NATO allies. The fighter aircraft landed at the Polish base today.

The F-22 deployment has been fielded in response to regional commanders' requirements, said Air Force Gen. Mark Welsh during an Aug. 24 briefing at the Pentagon. The training will focus on interoperability with advanced European aircraft, he said.

"We have stepped it up in a more substantial way with respect to rotational forces, training exercises and the like," he said. "These sorts of deployments allow us to train and operate with our allies and get more experience in European terrain."