I believe this fits in this topic.
Training of the F-35 and F-22 from the base of Lajes
The commander of the North American Air Force in Europe believes that the base of Lajes combines excellent conditions for the training of the new F-35 "Lightning II". General William Hobbins took that approach in a recent meeting with journalists.
The officer said that the military positioning of the base in the middle of the Atlantic and is surrounded by a large area of sea, "is an argument in favor of this option.
"I spoke about this possibility to head the state's largest Portuguese Air Force, and he showed great interest in exploiting it," said the general.
However, Hobbins emphasizes that the possibility is an idea, "we must follow the appropriate channels for approval between Portugal and the United States so that it can be achieved."
MUCH SPACE
The general assumes that the presence in the North American Lajes, the optimum conditions of the track and space without restrictions around the island are good indicators for the realization of this idea.
William Hobbins contends that the extension of the area of sea surrounding the archipelago will exploit the capabilities of the F-35 "and also the F-22" Raptor "- in supersonic flight," without the restrictions of the current areas of training " the North American Air Force. "
Moreover, the general who commands the Air Force of the United States located in Europe underlines that the Azores archipelago is within an hour's flight from the base of Langley, in Virginia (east coast of the USA), which has most of the fighter Americans.
William Hobbins explained that the flight time is less than that required for the fighter-bombers Americans arriving on the basis of Nellis in Nevada, one of the main areas of current training of the Air Force United States.
The positioning of the archipelago, according to the general, the training also allows all these aircraft in amphibious operations, land, sea or underwater.
NEW WEAPONS
According to the same source, the general North American admits that the base of Lajes meets the conditions to accommodate the facilities needed to test new weapons systems, including missiles hipersónicos, weapons-ray energy and new types of air platforms.
However, the European Command responsible for assume that the basis of Mikhail Kogalniceanu in Romania, also collects good condition for receiving the training of the F-35 and F-22.
"This base is, without doubt, a good place for training," admits the general Hobbins.
From an Azorean newspaper a few days ago (and translated by Google).
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