ACC Heritage Flight Program: The F-35 Joins the Program

03/08/2016
03/08/2016: F-35 Heritage Flight Team qualified on March 6th 2016 during the Heritage Flight Conference to join the Air Combat Command Air Force Heritage Flight program. The program features modern USAF fighter aircraft flying alongside WW2, Korean War, and Vietnam-era aircraft in a display of airpower history. The F-35 Heritage team is from…

F-35 Participates in Weapons Load Competition

01/10/2016
01/10/2016: The first weapons load competition at Luke AFB to include an F-35.The F-35 crew-from the 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit-competed against three F-16 crews. Credit:56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs:12/18/15 LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Arizona -- A Luke Air Force Base F-35 Lightning II crew competed today for the first time in…

F-35s Fly in Checkered Flag Exercise

12/18/2015
12/18/2015:  The F-35A Lightning II from the 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, at Tyndall Air Force Base is seen flying in support of Exercise Checkered Flag 16-01. Checkered Flag is a large-force exercise which simulates the employment of a large number of aircraft and is an opportunity to highlight…

USAF Video of the Australian KC-30A in the Middle East

11/23/2015
11/23/2015: In this recent video from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, the KC-30A is seen on the ramp being maintained. Credit: The KC-30A is a clear maintenance success as highlighted in an interview with Air Vice Marshal Warren McDonald. The RAAF has deployed a single KC-30A to the Middle East…

First Italian F-35 Flight English Interviews

11/08/2015
11/08/2015: Two Italian pilots completed their first flights in the F-35 at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. One of the jets used was an Australian F-35, highlighting the integration of the F-35 global partners.  Credit: 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs:11/05/15      

First Italian F-35 Flight: Shaping Common Training, Tactics and Procedures for the Global F-35 Fleet

11/08/2015
11/07/2015: Two Italian pilots completing their first flights in the F-35 at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. One of the jets used was an Australian F-35, highlighting the integration of the F-35 global partners.  Credit: 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs:11/05/15    

NATO Sec Gen Visits Joint Warfare Center in Norway

10/15/2015
10/15/2015: The Norwegians are serious about defense. And they are investing in capabilities to provide deterrence against their aggressive neighbor, the Russian bear. In the rollout of the first Norwegian F-35, Norwegian defense officials made it clear that there were focused on transforming their forces, with the F-35 as a…

Luke F-35 Academic Training Center

10/14/2015
08/24/2015: F-35 operations at Luke Air Force Base as well as classes at the F-35 Academic Training Center. The ATC began classes in May 2015 and trains pilots who will fly the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter. Students include pilots from Undergraduate Pilot Training, pilots who have previously flown…