F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the v134th Fighter Squadron, Vermont Air National Guard, have completed a bilateral deployment to Kallax Air Base, Luleå, Sweden. The deployment marks the first time the v158th Fighter Wing has operated from Swedish soil and reflects the deepening partnership between the v158th Fighter Wing and vSwedish Air Force.
Throughout the deployment, the v158th Fighter Wing flew alongside vSwAF JAS 39 Gripen, conducting dissimilar air combat training, combined defensive counter-air missions, as well as participating in large force exercises designed to test interoperability across fifth- and fourth-generation platforms.
"vSwAF is a serious partner and a serious group that is willing to learn and adapt," said vCol. Sabre C., Commander of the v158th Fighter Wing. "Flying with the vSwAF in an unfamilair area gave us a challenge that we dont get back in Burlington. "Back home you fall into a routine which builds complacency, exercises and deployments such as Loyal Arrow '26 allows for us to understand how other groups work and how we can work better with them."
The deployment came at an operationally significant moment, with the v158th Fighter Wing's recent VSOA status, the exercise served as a way to show that the v158th FW is able to show up into an unfamiliar environment and operate effectively.
The v158th Fighter Wing extends its gratitude to the vSwAF and Kallax Air Base for their outstanding hospitality and professionalism throughout the rotation. The wing is scheduled to return to home station operations at Burlington International Airport.