It has recently been used to drop supplies to troops during NATO exercises in Eastern Europe, as the West remains on a defensive basis.
It will be flanked by two Typhoons, which have recently strengthened NATO’s air defenses in the Baltic States and the Black Sea.
Flight Lieutenant Lauren, who will pilot the Hercules with two other female colleagues, has been with the RAF for 12 years.
At the time, she helped train the first female Afghan pilots during her deployment in Afghanistan, saying watching the England team was “inspiring”.