U.S. and U.K. air forces concluded Exercise Combat Archer U.K. 26 on July 24, 2026, certifying the U.S. Air Force’s 492nd and 493rd Fighter Squadrons at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. The exercise, led by U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, involved joint training with Royal Air Force F-35B Lightning jets. Support units included the 351st Aerial Refueling Squadron and 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron. The training focused on air-to-air weapons system evaluation, ensuring combat readiness for global operations. Pilots and ground crews practiced missile and gun weapon employment, culminating in live-fire exercises. The event aimed to synchronize allied tactics and validate weapon systems, with data collected to improve guidance systems. Commander Lt. Gen. Jason Hinds emphasized the importance of shared lessons and readiness in complex security environments.
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Summary adapted from https://war.gov
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