The Raptors Join in the Fun! (July 2025)

The F-22s which had previously transited through Lakenheath towards the Middle East had returned back, and rather than carrying on back to Langley, they had stayed here for a few weeks, and they also took part in "Quick Climb Friday", so we headed down this week!

July 11, 2025

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First up were four F-35A's, from the 495th "Valkyries".

Followed shortly by the first 3 of 5 Raptors.

United States Air Force - F-22A Raptor - 09-4177 (BUICK01)

United States Air Force - F-22A Raptor - 09-4177 (BUICK01)

United States Air Force - F-22A Raptor - 09-4177 (BUICK01)

United States Air Force - F-22A Raptor - 09-4177 (BUICK01)

United States Air Force - F-22A Raptor - 09-4173 (BUICK02)

United States Air Force - F-22A Raptor - 09-4173 (BUICK02)

United States Air Force - F-22A Raptor - 09-4173 (BUICK02)

United States Air Force - F-22A Raptor - 09-4173 (BUICK02)

United States Air Force - F-22A Raptor - 10-4194 (BUICK03)

United States Air Force - F-22A Raptor - 10-4194 (BUICK03)

Four more F-35A's...

United States Air Force - F-35A Lightning II - 20-5601 (VIDAR02)

United States Air Force - F-35A Lightning II - 20-5601 (VIDAR02)

And then the last 2 Raptors.

United States Air Force - F-22A Raptor - 05-4097 (TOPHAT01)

United States Air Force - F-22A Raptor - 05-4097 (TOPHAT01)

United States Air Force - F-22A Raptor - 08-4168 (TOPHAT02)

United States Air Force - F-22A Raptor - 08-4168 (TOPHAT02)

Finally, four more F-35s took off, and we left to head over to the over side of the runway to catch the arrivals!

United States Air Force - F-35A Lightning II - 20-5572 (CHARIOT02)

United States Air Force - F-35A Lightning II - 20-5572 (CHARIOT02)

United States Air Force - F-35A Lightning II - 20-5572 (CHARIOT02)

United States Air Force - F-35A Lightning II - 20-5572 (CHARIOT02)

And here are the arrivals...

United States Air Force - F-22A Raptor - 05-4097 (TOPHAT01)

United States Air Force - F-22A Raptor - 05-4097 (TOPHAT01)

United States Air Force - F-22A Raptor - 08-4168 (TOPHAT02)

United States Air Force - F-22A Raptor - 08-4168 (TOPHAT02)

United States Air Force - F-22A Raptor - 09-4177 (BUICK01)

United States Air Force - F-22A Raptor - 09-4177 (BUICK01)

United States Air Force - F-22A Raptor - 10-4194 (BUICK03)

United States Air Force - F-22A Raptor - 10-4194 (BUICK03)

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