RAF LAKENHEATH, UK—Contractors have begun infrastructure work paving the way for the U.S. Air Force’s (USAF) F-35s to have a permanent presence in Europe. Two squadrons of F-35A Joint Strike Fighters will be based at RAF Lakenheath during the early 2020s, with the first aircraft arriving in early 2021. The two new squadrons will grow the 49th Fighter Wing by an additional 1,244 personnel, also to begin their arrival in early 2021.