Preparing for Deployment in Alaska and the Testing the Norwegian Drag Chute

10/17/2017
10/17/2017: A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft lands on the flight line Oct. 12, 2017, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The F-35 is here to conduct cold weather testing to ensure the fifth generation multi-role fighter aircraft performs optimally in Alaska's harsh weather conditions. And this is…

Terma Prepares for Full Rate F-35 Production

10/15/2017
2017-10-15 The F-35 manufacturing and supply chain approach has been to drive innovation from design to production to sustainment and to do so throughout the global enterprise. A case in point is the Danish firm Terma. According to an article published on October 13, 210 on Evertiq: Danish manufacturer Terma…

The Danes Take the Threats Seriously: Investing in More Effective Defense Forces

10/15/2017
2017-10-13  In October 2017, the Danish government released its proposed new five-year defense guidance and defense spending guidelines. The government was very clear about what the threats facing Denmark are, the importance of allies modernizing and working effective interdependence in the defense of the North Atlantic and beyond, and need…

The UK Readies for the Coming of the Queen Elizabeth Carriers: Ski Jump Testing

10/14/2017
2017-10-14 As the first Queen Elizabeth class carrier has begun its two year period of sea trials earlier this year. Part of the preparation for operations is ski jump training for F-35B pilots. This training is being initially at Pax River where a ski jump test and training facility has…

RAF Valley Air Station, Wales, Receives Upgrades: Supporting the F-35s and Typhoons

10/14/2017
2017-10-14 According to a UK MoD article published on September 26, 2017, the Welsh based RAF Valley Air Station has been modernized to play its role in the introduction of the F-35 and the evolution of the Typhoon-F-35 core to the RAF strike force. The station is primarily used for…

Hill Air Force Base Stands Up New F-35 Squadron

10/14/2017
2017-10-14 The 4th Fighter Squadron (FS) ‘Fighting Fuujins’ and 4th Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU) received a first F-35A at Hill Air Force Base, Utah at the end of September. According to an article published in Air Forces Monthly: The latest Lightning II to arrive at Hill was tail number 5133. [caption…

500 and Counting: The 500 F-35 Pilot Takes to the Skies

10/14/2017
2017-10-14 Many years ago, Second Line of Defense visited Eglin AFB prior to standing up of the F-35 training facility. Now that training facility has not only matured but is part of a global training network. Recently, Eglin saw a milestone achieved with the 500th F-35 pilot taking to the…

Grim Reapers Onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln

09/22/2017
2017-09-13 USS Abraham Lincoln, the first US Navy aircraft carrier capable of accommodating the F-35C Lightning II, welcomed the fifth-generation jet fighter on board earlier this month. The “Grim Reapers” of Strike Fighter Squadron 101 (VFA 101), the training squadron for the F-35C, joined the USS Abraham Lincoln while underway on…