F-35 Unites! Astral Knight 2021 is an integrated air and missile defense exercise focused on defending key terrain, involving service members from Albania, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Slovenia and the United States. AK21 is a U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa-led event at Aviano Air Base, Italy. This year the participating F-35As are from the Italian Air Force. While at Aviano, eleven F-35 crew chiefs from Hill, Eglin, Eielson and Luke Air Force Bases performed cross-service actions on the Italian F-35As. By performing cross-servicing procedures on these aircraft, it strengthens partnerships and builds trust among partner nations. (Read more...)