RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- On Sept. 12, 1970, the first General Dynamics F-111 Aardvarks arrived in Upper Heyford, United Kingdom, marking a new era in European airpower.
The aircraft was assigned to the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 20th Tactical Fighter Wing under U.S. Air Forces in Europe. At the time of the transition, the 20th TFW was still flying the North American F-100 Super Sabre, the oldest fighter in USAFE’s inventory.
The F-111 replaced it with unmatched capabilities. It was the first production aircraft with variable-sweep wings, giving pilots the ability to adapt wing position to maximize performance during high-speed, low-level flight. The F-111 entered service in 1967, with early combat use in Vietnam, and later proved itself in major operations such as El Dorado Canyon in 1986 and Desert Storm in 1991.
USAFE’s F-111s and EF-111 “Ravens” became symbols of Cold War deterrence and precision strike capability. In Libya, they flew what was then the longest fighter combat mission in history, demonstrating the reach and flexibility of American airpower. In the Middle East, they delivered precision strikes with a high success rate, often taking on missions outside of their designed role.
By 1992, the end of the Cold War and the high maintenance costs of the F-111 brought its retirement in Europe. Its replacement, the F-15E Strike Eagle, continued USAFE’s focus on dual-role fighter-bombers with advanced avionics and greater flexibility.
Today, USAFE-AFAFRICA carries forward the legacy of innovation that began with the Aardvark. The command now serves as the air component for U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command, projecting combat-ready airpower across more than 100 nations. Its mission is to deter aggression, defend U.S. interests, and strengthen alliances through integrated training and agile combat employment strategies.
Modern priorities include distributed command and control, forward basing, and interoperability with NATO and African partner forces. Recent exercises, such as Ramstein Flag 2025, showcased USAFE’s ability to operate from multiple locations, sustain high-tempo operations, and integrate seamlessly with allied aircraft to ensure collective defense readiness.
From the F-111’s variable wings to today’s fifth-generation fighters and agile operations, USAFE has continually adapted to ensure that American airpower remains forward, ready, and reliable for its allies.