WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States will deploy four F-22 tactical fighter aircraft to Europe in the nearest future under the European Reassurance Initiative, US Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James said in a briefing on Monday.
"Today we are announcing that we will very soon deploy F-22s to Europe to support combat and commander requirements and as part of the European Reassurance Initiative," James said.
"These sorts of deployments allow us to train and operate with our allies, get more experience in European terrain," she explained.
In February, US President Barack Obama proposed to budget $789 million to continue and expand US military presence in Europe.
The White House argued that the European Reassurance Initiative funding will enhance US preparedness to reinforce NATO allies and strengthen regional security.