F-35 site, base changes announced

The Pentagon announced today the consolidation of some U.S. infrastructure in Europe, including the return of 15 sites to host nations. These actions from the European Reassurance Initiative will save the U.S. government some $500 million annually and will result in a slight decrease in U.S. force levels, according to DoD. The changes will impact bases in the U.K., Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and Portugal. The Pentagon also announced the first U.S. F-35 basing in Europe will be at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom. The first aircraft are scheduled to arrive at Lakenheath in 2020. (Source: DoD, 01/08/15) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.