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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, prepares to be refueled by a 459th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker during a flight to Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, April 28, 2017. Eight F-35s deployed to RAF Lakenheath, England on April 15 and two forward deployed to Bulgaria for a brief time which allowed the F-35s to engage in familiarization training within the European theater while reassuring allies and partners of U.S. dedication to the enduring peace and stability of the region. The F-35s are assigned to the 34th Fighter Squadron and are supported by total force Airmen from the 388th Fighter Wing, and the Air Force Reserve’s 466th Fighter Squadron, 419th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)F-35s forward deploy to Bulgaria
                        
                        
                        A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, prepares to be refueled during a flight to Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, April 28, 2017. Eight F-35s deployed to Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, on April 15 and two forward deployed to Bulgaria for a brief time which allowed the F-35s to engage in familiarization training within the European theater while reassuring allies and partners of U.S. dedication to the enduring peace and stability of the region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
                
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        A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft touches down at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, April 28, 2017, marking the first time the NATO country has hosted the 5th generation fighter aircraft. Eight F-35s deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah to RAF Lakenheath, England on April 15. Two of the eight forward deployed to Bulgaria for a brief time which allowed the F-35s to engage in familiarization training within the European theater while reassuring allies and partners of U.S. dedication to the enduring peace and stability of the region. The F-35s are assigned to the 34th Fighter Squadron and are supported by total force Airmen from the 388th Fighter Wing, and the Air Force Reserve’s 466th Fighter Squadron, 419th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. A KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 459th Air Refueling Wing provided the aerial refueling capability allowing the aircraft to fly non-stop to their destination. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ryan Crane)F-35s forward deploy to Bulgaria
                        
                        
                        A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II touches down at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, April 28, 2017, marking the first time the NATO country has hosted the fifth-generation fighter aircraft. Eight F-35s deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, to Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, on April 15. Two of the eight forward deployed to Bulgaria for a brief time which allowed the F-35s to engage in familiarization training within the European theater while reassuring allies and partners of U.S. dedication to the enduring peace and stability of the region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Ryan Crane)
                
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        A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, prepares to be refueled by a 459th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker during a flight to Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, April 28, 2017. Eight F-35s deployed to RAF Lakenheath, England on April 15 and two forward deployed to Bulgaria for a brief time which allowed the F-35s to engage in familiarization training within the European theater while reassuring allies and partners of U.S. dedication to the enduring peace and stability of the region. The F-35s are assigned to the 34th Fighter Squadron and are supported by total force Airmen from the 388th Fighter Wing, and the Air Force Reserve’s 466th Fighter Squadron, 419th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)F-35s forward deploy to Bulgaria
                        
                        
                        A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, prepares to be refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker, from the 459th Air Refueling Wing, during a flight to Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, April 28, 2017. Eight F-35s deployed to Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, on April 15 and two forward deployed to Bulgaria for a brief time which allowed the F-35s to engage in familiarization training within the European theater while reassuring allies and partners of U.S. dedication to the enduring peace and stability of the region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
                
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        Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, 3rd Air Force commander, speaks to U.S. and Bulgarian visitors as well as media during a press event at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, April 28, 2017, highlighting the first training deployment of the F-35A Lightning II to Bulgaria. Eight F-35s deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah to RAF Lakenheath, England on April 15. Two of the eight forward deployed to Bulgaria for a brief time which allowed the F-35s to engage in familiarization training within the European theater while reassuring allies and partners of U.S. dedication to the enduring peace and stability of the region. The F-35s are assigned to the 34th Fighter Squadron and are supported by total force Airmen from the 388th Fighter Wing, and the Air Force Reserve’s 466th Fighter Squadron, 419th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. A KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 459th Air Refueling Wing provided the aerial refueling capability allowing the aircraft to fly non-stop to their destination. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ryan Crane)F-35s forward deploy to Bulgaria
                        
                        
                        Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, the Third Air Force commander, speaks to U.S. and Bulgarian visitors as well as media during a press event at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, April 28, 2017, highlighting the first training deployment of the F-35A Lightning II to Bulgaria. Eight F-35s deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, to Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, on April 15. Two of the eight forward deployed to Bulgaria for a brief time which allowed the F-35s to engage in familiarization training within the European theater while reassuring allies and partners of U.S. dedication to the enduring peace and stability of the region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Ryan Crane)
                
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F-35s forward deploy to BulgariaPublished May 1, 2017
                    
                    
                    U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs
            **GRAF IGNATIEVO AIR BASE, Bulgaria (AFNS) --**Two F-35A Lightning IIs and about 20 supporting Airmen arrived at Graf Ignatievo Air Base April 28 from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England.
The F-35As are participating in the first training deployment to Europe. The aircraft and total force Airmen are from the 34th Fighter Squadron, 388th Fighter Wing, and the Air Force Reserve’s 466th Fighter Squadron, 419th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
"The United States and Bulgaria have a strong and enduring relationship," said Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, the Third Air Force commander, during a press event after the arrival. "We routinely train through joint and combined initiatives like Operation Atlantic Resolve and in flying exercises like Thracian Eagle, Thracian Summer and Thracian Star. Our commitment to Bulgaria is but an example of our unwavering support to all allied nations."
Similar to the aircraft's visit to Estonia on April 25, this training deployment has been planned for some time and was conducted in close coordination with Bulgarian allies. It gives F-35A pilots the opportunity to engage in familiarization training within the European theater while reassuring allies and partners of U.S. dedication to the enduring peace and stability of the region.
"I have to say that for us, this makes us very proud," said Maj. Gen. Tsanko Stoykov, the Bulgarian Air Force commander. "Our efforts have been appreciated and we are trusted as a reliable ally and it immensely contributes to the development of the bilateral relations between our two counties and our two air forces."
This is the first overseas flying training deployment of the U.S. Air Force's F-35As. The deployment provides support to bolster the security of NATO allies and partners in Europe while demonstrating the U.S. commitment to regional and global security.
"We are grateful to our Bulgarian friends for their support in making today possible," Clark said. "Your cooperation helps prepare the F-35 for its invaluable contribution to our alliance. We look forward to many more years of our shared commitment and partnership." 
This training deployment signifies an important milestone and natural progression of the Joint Strike Fighter Program, allowing the U.S. to further demonstrate the operational capabilities of the aircraft. It also assists in refining the beddown requirements for the F-35A at RAF Lakenheath in order to enhance Europe’s ability to host the future capabilities of the Air Force and coalition team. Also, it helps to integrate with NATO's infrastructure and enhance fifth-generation aircraft interoperability.
The aircraft and Airmen began arriving in Europe on April 15, and are scheduled to remain in Bulgaria for a brief period of time before returning to RAF Lakenheath to continue their training deployment.
The KC-135 is from 459th Air Refueling Wing, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, and is providing refueling support for the deployment to Bulgaria.USAFE 



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