 These bases contribute to the physical defence and maintenance of sovereignty of the British Overseas Territories and enable the UK to conduct expeditionary military operations.Although command and oversight of the bases is provided by Strategic Command, the airfield elements are known as RAF stations.Two RAF squadrons are located within the United States to support close cooperation with the US Air Force in the operation of the MQ-9A Reaper (Creech Air Force Base, Nevada) and development of the F-35A Lighting II (Edwards Air Force Base, California).