The first Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters of the U.S. Air Force deployed to the European mainland have been sent to Bulgaria, a NATO member with only 15 modern air superiority fighters.

Two F-35As, the conventional version of the fighter flown only by the air force, accompanied by ground crews and security personnel are now based at the Graf Ignatievo Air Base located at the village of Graf Ignatievo, about 10 km north of Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second largest city.

Like Us on Facebook

This is the first overseas flying training deployment of air force 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.

Graf Ignatievo Air Base or the 3rd Fighter Air Base is the only fighter base of the Bulgarian Air Force and houses two BAF fighter squadrons. These squadrons are the 1st Fighter Squadron operating six obsolete Soviet-era Mikoyan MiG-21 fighters, and the 2nd Fighter Squadron operating 12 Mikoyan MiG-29A single-seat and three MiG-29UB twin-seat air superiority fighters.

Deployed from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England last week, the pair of F-35As 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, Commander, Third Air Force at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

"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."

The F-35As are in Bulgaria for a training deployment conducted in close coordination with the BAF. The deployment to a frontline country facing Russia 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, Commander, Bulgarian Air Force.

"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."

TagsBulgaria, Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter, U.S. Air Force, F-35A, NATO, Graf Ignatievo Air Base, 3rd Fighter Air Base, Mikoyan MiG-29A, 34th Fighter Squadron, 388th Fighter Wing