Washington, April 27 (RHC)-- The United States has deployed two F-22 Raptor 5G stealth fighter jets and a refueling aircraft to an airfield in Romania as part of NATO's support for Eastern European members against what it calls "Russian aggression."

The U.S. Air Force most sophisticated aircraft landed at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base on the Black Sea, located less than 400 km from the Russian military base of Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula.

The two F-22 Raptor fighters accompanied by a KC-135 refueling plane arrived in Romania from the UK, where Washington has already deployed 12 F-22s at Lakenheath, a British air base in eastern England.  According to officials, the move is meant to "bolster the security of NATO allies and partners in Europe."

The deployment comes as U.S. commanders are reportedly re-evaluating the military's role and responsibilities in Europe with Russia's resurgence prompting Washington to rethink the number of troops in Europe in order to counter what Washington claims is a possible threat by Moscow.