The first F-35A Lightning II aircraft permanently assigned to the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Fighter Wing taxi on the flight line after landing at Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida, July 9, 2025. The delivery marks a key milestone in the wing’s continued transition to the F-35, initiating the phased arrival of aircraft bearing the unit’s signature tail flash. As one of the newest Air National Guard units to field the fifth-generation fighter, the wing enhances the Air Force’s ability to provide agile combat airpower in support of U.S. and allied operations worldwide. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Hancock) (This image was cropped to emphasize the subject.)
The 500th F-35A Lightning II aircraft (front) produced by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Air Force arrives at Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida, July 9, 2025. Assigned to the Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing, the aircraft is part of the unit’s first delivery of permanently assigned fifth-generation fighters—marking a milestone in the wing’s transition to the F-35 and strengthening the Air National Guard’s contribution to integrated, combat-ready airpower. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Hancock) (This image was cropped to emphasize the subject.)
The 500th F-35A Lightning II aircraft produced by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Air Force arrives at Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida, July 9, 2025. Assigned to the Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing, the aircraft is part of the unit’s first delivery of permanently assigned fifth-generation fighters—marking a milestone in the wing’s transition to the F-35 and strengthening the Air National Guard’s contribution to integrated, combat-ready airpower. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Hancock) (This image was cropped to emphasize the subject.)
One of the first F-35A Lightning II aircraft permanently assigned to the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Fighter Wing taxis on the flight line after landing at Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida, July 9, 2025. The delivery marks a key milestone in the wing’s continued transition to the F-35, initiating the phased arrival of aircraft bearing the unit’s signature tail flash. As one of the newest Air National Guard units to field the fifth-generation fighter, the wing enhances the Air Force’s ability to provide agile combat airpower in support of U.S. and allied operations worldwide. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Hancock) (This image was cropped to emphasize the subject.)
One of the first F-35A Lightning II aircraft permanently assigned to the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Fighter Wing taxis on the flight line after landing at Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida, July 9, 2025. The delivery marks a key milestone in the wing’s continued transition to the F-35, initiating the phased arrival of aircraft bearing the unit’s signature tail flash. As one of the newest Air National Guard units to field the fifth-generation fighter, the wing enhances the Air Force’s ability to provide agile combat airpower in support of U.S. and allied operations worldwide. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Hancock) (This image was cropped to emphasize the subject.)
One of the first F-35A Lightning II aircraft permanently assigned to the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Fighter Wing taxis on the flight line after landing at Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida, July 9, 2025. The delivery marks a key milestone in the wing’s continued transition to the F-35, initiating the phased arrival of aircraft bearing the unit’s signature tail flash. As one of the newest Air National Guard units to field the fifth-generation fighter, the wing enhances the Air Force’s ability to provide agile combat airpower in support of U.S. and allied operations worldwide. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Hancock)
One of the first F-35A Lightning II aircraft permanently assigned to the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Fighter Wing taxis on the flight line after landing at Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida, July 9, 2025. The delivery marks a key milestone in the wing’s continued transition to the F-35, initiating the phased arrival of aircraft bearing the unit’s signature tail flash. As one of the newest Air National Guard units to field the fifth-generation fighter, the wing enhances the Air Force’s ability to provide agile combat airpower in support of U.S. and allied operations worldwide. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Hancock)
A tactical aircraft maintainer assigned to the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron marshals in one of the first F-35A Lightning II aircraft permanently assigned to the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Fighter Wing following its arrival at Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida, July 9, 2025. The delivery marks a key milestone in the wing’s continued transition to the F-35, initiating the phased arrival of aircraft bearing the unit’s signature tail flash. As one of the newest Air National Guard units to field the fifth-generation fighter, the wing enhances the Air Force’s ability to provide agile combat airpower in support of U.S. and allied operations worldwide. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Hancock) (This image was cropped to emphasize the subject.)
A tactical aircraft maintainer assigned to the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron marshals in one of the first F-35A Lightning II aircraft permanently assigned to the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Fighter Wing following its arrival at Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida, July 9, 2025. The delivery marks a key milestone in the wing’s continued transition to the F-35, initiating the phased arrival of aircraft bearing the unit’s signature tail flash. As one of the newest Air National Guard units to field the fifth-generation fighter, the wing enhances the Air Force’s ability to provide agile combat airpower in support of U.S. and allied operations worldwide. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Hancock) (This image was cropped to emphasize the subject.)
A tactical aircraft maintainer assigned to the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron marshals in one of the first F-35A Lightning II aircraft permanently assigned to the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Fighter Wing following its arrival at Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida, July 9, 2025. The delivery marks a key milestone in the wing’s continued transition to the F-35, initiating the phased arrival of aircraft bearing the unit’s signature tail flash. As one of the newest Air National Guard units to field the fifth-generation fighter, the wing enhances the Air Force’s ability to provide agile combat airpower in support of U.S. and allied operations worldwide. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Hancock) (This image was cropped to emphasize the subject.)
A tactical aircraft maintainer assigned to the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron marshals in one of the first F-35A Lightning II aircraft permanently assigned to the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Fighter Wing following its arrival at Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida, July 9, 2025. The delivery marks a key milestone in the wing’s continued transition to the F-35, initiating the phased arrival of aircraft bearing the unit’s signature tail flash. As one of the newest Air National Guard units to field the fifth-generation fighter, the wing enhances the Air Force’s ability to provide agile combat airpower in support of U.S. and allied operations worldwide. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Hancock)
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Pasko (right), commander of the Florida Air National Guard’s 159th Fighter Squadron, shakes hands with a tactical aircraft maintainer (left) assigned to the 125th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron after landing in one of the unit’s first permanently assigned F-35A Lightning II aircraft at Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida, July 9, 2025. The delivery marks a major milestone in the wing’s conversion from the F-15C/D Eagle to the fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II, reinforcing the Air National Guard’s role in providing integrated, combat-ready airpower. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Hancock) (This image was cropped to emphasize the subject and was altered by blurring out an identification badge for security purposes.)
