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Two F-15 jets from RAF Lakenheath make emergency landings

PA Media USAF F-15 fighter jet at RAF LakenheathPA Media
F-15 jets regularly carry out operations over Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire

Two F-15 jets on a training mission were forced to make emergency landings, the US Air Force (USAF) has confirmed.

The fighter planes, from RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, landed safely back at base on Monday, according to the USAF.

A spokesman said "hydraulic issues" caused the emergency landings and that "both aircraft landed safely with aircrew on board unharmed".

The USAF said the 48th Fighter Wing had the "utmost confidence" in its personnel to keep "our flyers safe".

In a statement on Tuesday, it confirmed both planes, understood to be flying over Norfolk, suffered hydraulic issues.

"Our aircrews understand that equipment malfunctions are a risk that can impact day-to-day missions," the USAF said.

"The 48th Fighter Wing has the utmost confidence in the expertise and professionalism of our maintenance personnel to keep our aircraft in the air and our flyers safe."

In November, an F-15 taking part in a flypast tribute was forced to declare an emergency during the event due to hydraulic issues, according to RAF Lakenheath.

A picture of the sign outside RAF Lakenheath
RAF Lakenheath is based in Suffolk
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