American warplanes flew in British skies on a training mission early on Wednesday in a show of force aimed at demonstrating that the US is ready to defend Nato member states.
Amid concerns about the future of the alliance, F15 and F35 jets from the 48th Fighter Wing, based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, began a two-day period of early morning flying. Members of the public were told the training was necessary to show that US airmen and women are “ready to secure the sovereign skies anytime, day or night”.
Major Hope Cronin, spokeswoman for the regiment, said: “The 48th Fighter Wing must train like we fight in order to maintain operational readiness, and early morning flying is a critical muscle we must continue to flex. We understand the disturbance this may cause for local communities and appreciate the patience and understanding to make sure our airmen remain trained and ready to secure the sovereign skies anytime, day or night.”
Residents of East Anglia and the surrounding regions were told jets could be heard and seen from 6.45am to 6pm.
The US said such operations “provide both aircrew and support personnel stationed at RAF Lakenheath the experience needed to maintain a ready force capable of ensuring the collective defence of the Nato alliance”.
All training was to be conducted in accordance with Ministry of Defence and UK airspace regulations, the statement added. The training was said to be part of standard operations.
Mark Rutte, the Nato secretary general, flies to Washington on Thursday for a meeting with President Trump amid doubts about the US’s commitment to the alliance. Rutte, known as the “Trump whisperer” for his ability while prime minister of the Netherlands to smooth over tensions with Trump, is expected to discuss the future of the transatlantic alliance and the war in Ukraine.
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The meeting was confirmed by the White House on Tuesday night. Trump has warned Nato allies that any nation that did not meet the alliance’s spending target would not be defended by the US.
Article 5 of the founding treaty states that an attack against one ally is considered an attack against all. “If you’re not going to pay, we’re not going to defend them,” Trump said in the White House last week. Elon Musk, Trump’s billionaire adviser, has said he does not believe Nato should exist.
One senior European military source dismissed concerns over the future of Nato, saying: “Everybody is clear there are a lot of statements that appear to be made out of emotional reactions. What really counts is executive orders.”
Rutte’s visit to Washington will be his first since Trump was sworn in for a second time. During a visit to the western Balkans on Tuesday, Rutte praised Trump for facilitating a breakthrough in diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine.
“I want to really note the fact that, thanks to him, there has now been a breakthrough when it comes to Ukraine, in terms of starting talks with both the Russians and the Ukrainians,” Rutte said in a joint press conference with Vjosa Osmani, the foreign minister of Kosovo, in Pristina. Rutte appeared to echo Trump’s position that securing peace must precede any peacekeeping efforts.