A third phase of F-35 Lightning II developmental test (DT-3) flight trials aboard U.K. Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers concluded over the weekend when two short takeoff vertical landing (STOVL) test jets launched from the HMS Prince of Wales (R09)

On November 3, 2014, the U.S. Navy made aviation history when an F-35C Lightning II conducted its first arrested landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) off the coast of San Diego. The arrested landing was part of initial at-sea

An F-35 Lightning II test pilot performed the first roll-on landing of an F-35B fighter jet aboard the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier off the U.S. Eastern Seaboard Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023. 

Marine Maj. Paul Gucwa piloted the short

This week, an F-35B Lightning II fighter jet landed aboard U.K. aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (R 09), kicking off developmental test phase 3 (DT-3) sea trials aboard Britain’s largest Warship. 

A test pilot from the Naval Air

On September 19, 2019, the Vermont Air National Guard (VTANG) received its first two F-35A Lightning II aircraft in South Burlington, Vermont, becoming the first Air National Guard unit to base the fifth-generation fighter jet.  

Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center has been the host of this year's Northern Lightning 2023 exercise that includes almost 1,000 personnel from active-duty Air Force, National Guard, Navy and Marine Corps units. 

This tactical-

On August 1, 2023, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, made a significant milestone in its evolution. It transitioned from an air dominance training mission to a fully combat capable F-35A Lightning II fighter wing as the first of more than 70 F-35s arrived to

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 (TS23), Australia’s largest biennial military exercise with the U.S. has officially begun and will run through Aug. 4.  F-35As with the Royal Australian Air Force are participating along with 13 nations in high-end

U.S. Marines from the Black Knights, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron VMFA-314, along with Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aviators from No. 3 Squadron (3SQN), have completed three weeks of intensive training at RAAF Base Williamtown, Australia. The joint

On July 7, 2006, during a joint strike fighter inauguration ceremony in Fort Worth, Texas, the Air Force chief of staff unveiled the official name for the F-35 as “Lightning II.”   

As the executive agent responsible for

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of air refueling, two F-35A fighters from Hill Air Force Base conducted air refueling operations with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the Utah Air National Guard over various locations in Utah on June 27. 

On June 23, 2001, the concept demonstrator aircraft X-35B made history by conducting its first vertical takeoff and vertical landing at Lockheed Martin Skunkworks in Palmdale, California.

Originally the X-35A, the X-35B was modified for the short-

On June 12, Red Flag-Alaska 2023 kicked off at Eielson AFB and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. F-35As with the 356th Fighter Squadron joined the exercise which will provide unique opportunities to integrate various forces into joint, coalition and

Four F-35Bs, the United Kingdom's first, arrived at RAF Marham on this day, June 6, 2018, marking a significant milestone for the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy as they prepared to declare the jets operational later that year. 
 more...

The 531st Commodities Maintenance Squadron recently opened a new 24,000 square foot F-35 canopy shop at Hill Air Force Base, tripling their previous workspace and accommodating future needs. This shop specializes in meticulously refurbishing canopies for

The Arctic Challenge Exercise (ACE), a biannual exercise taking place in host nations Norway, Finland and Sweden, is set to kick off on May 29. With approximately 150 aircraft and 3,000 personnel from 14 countries participating, ACE will take place

Formidable Shield 2023, a biennial live-fire joint and combined Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) event using NATO command and control structures, will take place from May 8 to 26. This year's exercise involves 13 NATO allied and partner nations

On May 5, 2017, the first F-35B Short Take-Off/Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft assembled outside the United States was unveiled at the Italian Final Assembly and Check Out (FACO) facility. This significant event showcased the robust partnership between

On April 25, the Wisconsin Air National Guard's 115th Fighter Wing received its first F-35 Lightning II aircraft, making it the second Air National Guard unit to possess the advanced fighter. The arrival of the F-35s at Truax Field was celebrated by the

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) participated in Exercise Red Flag 23-2 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, utilizing its F-35I Adir aircraft for the large-scale exercise held March 13-24. Participants faced complex, multi-domain scenarios against Nellis AFB's

F-35B Lightning IIs aboard USS Makin Island (LHD-8), along with about 12,000 Sailors and Marines from the United States and South Korea are taking part in the 2023 Ssangyong exercise. 
 
After North Korea's provocative actions,

On March 21, 2013, the Marine Corps' first operational F-35B accomplished its first Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STOVL) at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. The STOVL accomplishment is a key milestone of the F-35 program, representing the

On March 19, 2009, then-Major Ty “O.D.” Bachmann flew AA-1, the first F-35 Lightning II, for a test flight in Fort Worth, Texas. He was the first Marine and second service member to evaluate the F-35's flight and in-air characteristics.

Since 1975, Red Flag has provided U.S. military services and coalition forces the experience of multiple, intensive air combat sorties in the safety of a realistic training environment. Most importantly, Red Flag tests their readiness capabilities.  more...

On Feb. 28, 2019, the U.S. Navy declared initial operational capability for its F-35C. The Commander, Naval Air Forces and the U.S. Marine Corps Deputy Commandant for Aviation jointly announced that the aircraft carrier variant of the F-35 Lightning II, met

An F-35C flew one of the initial airborne tests of the carrier variant jet with an inert GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb-II (SDB II) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, on January 10, 2023.  

The SDB II is an air-launched, precision-

On Feb. 16, 2018, the Royal Norwegian Air Force successfully completed verification of the F-35A drag chute system at Ørland Air Force Base, Norway. It is unique to the Norwegian F-35As due to their climate in the High North which can include icy

On February 15, 2023, the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) declared initial operating capability (IOC) for its conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) F-35A.

ROKAF F-35As in IOC configuration are now capable of flying interdiction, basic close

The F-35 debuted in Thule, Greenland at Operation Noble Defender mid-January for two weeks with North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). The four U.S. Air Force F-35s flew into Thule from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.  

The Republic of Korea Air Force integrated with the United States for a bilateral mission over the Yellow Sea February 1, their first air drill of 2023. 

The U.S. B-1s, F-35Bs, and F-22s joined South Korean F-35As for combined air drills to

The F-35 is postured ready to defend the United States and our allies when called upon. In January 2023, F-35As from the Royal Netherlands Air Force landed in Poland to take over NATO Air Policing flights in Baltic Sea region. The Dutch aircraft will

U.S. Central Command and the Israel Defense Forces concluded Juniper Oak, the largest U.S.-Israel partnered exercise in history the last week of January 2023.  

Juniper Oak is an “all domain” exercise that integrated U.S. and

The U.S. Air Force became the first government customer to fly the F-35. On January 30, 2008, Lt. Col. Jim Kromberg flew the A variant of the fifth-generation fighter jet into history for the U.S. military.  

The next feature in the F-35

Project Convergence is a U.S. Army-led exercise. Last October and November, Project Convergence 2022 was the first trinational exercise in the Project Convergence series that aimed to bolster fighting in a multidomain battlespace between the U.S., U.K

F-35 unites! During recent operations in the European region, various F-35 operators noticed that not all issues, specifically regarding intelligence, were being fully accounted for and given further attention.  

The F-35 is the dominant

Meet Mario Valle, Lightning Support Team logistics lead at the JPO in Fort Worth, Texas. He and his team are responsible for the sustainability of the F-35 for the U.S services, international partners and foreign military sales customers. With the

A developmental test team from the 461st Flight Test Squadron conducted the first flight of an F-35 in the Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) configuration at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The 50-minute flight, which took the jet to 35,000 feet at

The F-35 continues its constant patrol in 2023 with the one-year anniversary of the Norwegian’s Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) mission being taken over by the F-35.  

On January 6, 2022, the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s F-35s

The JPO Digital Media’s team annual Top F-35 photo contest for 2022 has launched! We've whittled down the thousands of F-35 images captured last year to a select group of 11. But we need your help choosing a winner.

Exercise Steel Knight has served as 1st Marine Division’s culminating event for pre-deployment certification, under I Marine Expeditionary Force, for more than 30 years. It is trainings designed as realistic combat scenarios and more that keep us a

The Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) F-35As reached initial operational capability (IOC) Dec. 28, 2020, making Australia the seventh country to declare IOC for its F-35 fleet. The announcement was made despite COVID-related effects on manufacturing

The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) achieved initial operational capability (IOC) Dec. 27, 2021, with their F-35A fleet. The milestone saw the RNLAF become the 12th global military service and eighth country to declare its F-35s ready for operations.&

The successful test flights of the X-35 planes during the joint strike fighter competition over twenty years ago were executed by talented teams from government, military, and industry. Glen Harbison, lead flight test engineer, and Steve Reller, flight test

The F-35 Lightning II flew for the first time Dec. 15, 2006, for the U.S. Air Force. The newly fifth-gen fighter soared into the skies without issue on this day, completing a successful inaugural flight and initiating the most comprehensive flight test

Amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) returned home late November 2022 following a seven-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region, one of the most important areas of operation. Tripoli was in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance

On Dec. 2, 2020, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 “Black Knights” announced initial operational capability with its F-35Cs. VMFA-314 is the first Marine Corps squadron to transition to the F-35C variant of the joint strike

Falcon Strike 2022 is an exercise that joined the United States, Italy, and the Netherlands in the skies over the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Sardinia Channel, and the Gulf of Taranto. It concluded Nov. 25 after two weeks of operations that provided these

On Nov. 30, 2018, Italy’s Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) achieved initial operational capability (IOC) with its F-35A fleet. The Italian F-35As are operated by 13° Gruppo (squadron) of the 32° Stormo (wing). 

As the first

F-35s from partner nations joined in a historic flight with B-2 Spirit aircraft the week of November 14 at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. While B-2 aircraft have integrated with ally and partner aircraft during Bomber Task Force missions in Europe and the

The Pentagon awarded contracts to two companies Nov. 16, 1996, which might be seen as the beginning of the F-35 Lightning II’s development. It eliminated one industry contender, leaving the other two to compete towards building the most advanced

The F-35 partner nations’ alliance forges a strong bond. Through this bond, each country is strengthened by a shared goal of interoperability and collaboration. An important milestone recognized by the F-35 Joint Program Office and its partners is the

The F-35C Lightning II is the U.S. Navy’s and Marine Corps’ first low-observable carrier-based aviation platform. The fifth-generation fighter aircraft’s larger wings, stronger landing gear, ruggedized structures, and long-lasting coatings

The United States and South Korea began one of their largest combined military air drills Oct. 31, with hundreds of aircraft from both sides staging daily mock attacks to increase combat readiness. Known as Vigilant Storm, it is the first U.S.-

The Arctic Council is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States, Arctic Indigenous peoples and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues like sustainable development, environmental

Former head test pilot and naval aviator Tom Morgenfeld flew the X-35A during its inaugural flight on Oct. 24, 2000...and didn’t look back. It set the course for the F-35 Lightning II to dominate the skies 22 years later.  

The

The F-35 Joint Program Office has achieved another step in its evolution of the F-35 logistics information system. The Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122’s F-35Bs aboard the USS Makin Island received significant support from Marines out of Marine

The lethality of fifth generation aircraft paired with long-range rocket systems can’t be beat in the current combat environment. 

The U.S. Marine Corps joined its F-35Bs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons 121 and 242 

Meet Gabe Quevedo, a country manager at the F-35 Joint Program Office’s International Directorate. He grew up in Puerto Rico and then entered the U.S. Air Force and government where he has become an expert in defense acquisition. This National

Availability and readiness are a priority to uphold national security. The Air National Guard has consistently met the challenges of unforeseen events over recent years. By operating the F-35, they will continue to maintain their effectiveness.  

Time savings mean cost savings in the F-35 program. Leveraging the near identical flying qualities in the aerial refueling envelopes of the F-35B short takeoff vertical landing and F-35C carrier variants allowed the F-35 Integrated Test Force team at Naval

Air Education and Training Command’s mission is to recruit, train, and educate exceptional airmen. This command works diligently to ensure the simulations, flights and classroom studies are meeting the current demands for combat fighter pilots.  

Australia now has three-quarters of its F-35As at home. 

The latest delivery of four jets brings the total number of F-35As based in Australia to 54 of the planned fleet of 72 aircraft. The growing fleet represents a 10% increase in training

Air-to-surface strikes is essential to mission success for the warfighters operating fifth-generation aircraft around the world. It provides ultimate air superiority and gives operators the flexibility to hit moving targets at any time of day/night and in

In 2018, Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida was struck by Hurricane Michael. After the storm, Tyndall began to rebuild the base.  

As a critical asset for the nation’s defense strategy due to some of the best training airspace

As the U.S. Air Force celebrates its 75th birthday on September 18, let's look back at the legacy of the P-38 Lightning. It was considered the best in creative thinking and a leading edge in technology of its time by warfighters. The P-38 Lightning

The return of Exercise Pitch Black after a break of four years due to the pandemic marks an excellent opportunity to strengthen partnerships and promote regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. Pitch Black pits warfighters’ air combat skills against

The F-35 is designed to access, synthesize and leverage information to improve combat decision-making across domains, countries and platforms. It unites operations by allowing a clear avenue to critical information that keeps allies connected and

The F-35 comes to Wisconsin in 2023.  

As part of its preparation for F-35 delivery, the Wisconsin Air National Guard participated in Exercise Northern Lightning at Volk Field from August 8-19. A team of F-35As assigned to the 33rd

Meet Michelle Graham, the Propulsion Lead on the Supply Chain Management team for the F-35 Joint Program Office’s Product Support Manager team. Graham procures the initial spares for repair and maintaining of the F135 engines. Her colleagues describe

Welcome home! USS Abraham Lincoln returned to the U.S. the second week of August following an Indo-Pacific deployment that began in January 2022 and crossed nearly 62,000 miles across the Pacific. USS Abraham Lincoln was the first to set sail with the

The F-35 continues to unite allies around the world at exercises aimed to refine their skills and demonstrate the capabilities of the fifth-generation aircraft. Exercise Lightning Shield saw Israel and Italy’s air forces launch a joint

Exercise Koolendong 2022 is a combined and joint force exercise focused on expeditionary advanced base operations conducted by U.S. service members and the Australian Defence Force. 

Earlier in July, two U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit Stealth

F-35 warfighters from the 48th Fighter Wing out of Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, operated from Souda Air Base, Greece for Exercise Poseidon’s Rage (PR22) July 11-22. This is the second iteration of Exercise Poseidon’s Rage but the

The lethal, interoperable, and connected F-35 Lightning II had its start in testing like many newly designed aircraft surrounded by talented pilots, engineers, analysts, and other experts in defense aviation. The F-35 Joint Program Office’s “

Availability is a key component of the F-35 enterprise. The F-35 Joint Program Office’s long-term goal is an environment of comprehensive sustainment excellence that includes initiatives to keep parts on wing longer, maintaining an appropriate

The F-35 continues its watch of Europe’s eastern flank. The fifth-generation fighter unites several allied nations of NATO.  

U.S. Air Force F-35s have been forward deployed to join fighters from France and Belgium at Amari Air

This July, six U.S. Air Force F-35As from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska arrived in South Korea to train with South Korean F-35As during a series of exercises meant as a response to nuclear-armed North Korea’s increased aggressive stance. more...

Meet Martha Byrne, a business financial team intern for vehicle systems procurement at the F-35 Joint Program Office. She is a part of the growing younger female workforce at the JPO and is proud to coordinate budgets and execution plans for the F-35

Lt. Gen. Eric T. Fick relinquished duties as the Program Executive Officer (PEO) of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (JPO) to Lt. Gen. Michael J. Schmidt during a change of leadership ceremony July 5 at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in

Availability is critical to the long-term viability of the F-35. The long-term goal is an environment of comprehensive sustainment excellence that will keep the F-35 safely in operation. The duties performed by the Fleet Readiness Center team at

Three U.S. Air Force F-35As were part of exercise Valiant Shield 2022 on the island nation of Palau in the Indo-Pacific. Valiant Shield 2022 is a biennial, U.S.-only, joint Field Training Exercise focused on integration between U.S. forces in relation

Today, there is a growing threat posed by rival fifth and sixth-generation fighter development. The U.S. Air Force decided to use part of its daily fifth-generation aircraft at bases Langley, Elmendorf, Hill, and Eielson, to replicate adversary

The F-35 must remain operative, and parts need to be available when needed. The U.S. Air Force reduced the repair and overhaul time for F-35 engines by more than half: an average 244 days to 106 from the beginning of 2021 to today. The facility behind this

Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) at Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point, N.C. is the lead site for depot-level maintenance on the F-35B and has conducted modifications and repair on this F-35 variant since 2013.  

FRCE has

The United States Marine Corps declared its second squadron of F-35Bs now fully operational in Iwakuni, Japan. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 (VMFA-242) “Bats” spent well over two years of planning and execution to reach full

As future threat advances, adding new capabilities ensures the F-35 stays ahead of our adversaries and further deters aggression. Realistic testing is important in the face of current and developing world events. 

In May, the U.S. Operational

Meet Leslie “Lexi” Reed, part of the JPO’s F-35A Assistant Program Manager for Logistics team. This Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, she shared her memories of growing up with a father in the U.S. Air Force and how one

Sentry Savannah 2022 is the Air National Guard’s premier counter air exercise for 4th and 5th generation fighters that displays the nation's combat aircraft readiness. For two weeks, this exercise was hosted at the Air Force Combat Readiness

The Italians are back in the High North as their F-35As arrived on April 25 for a two-month deployment to NATO ally Iceland. The Italian Air Force is there for a routine mission of providing interceptor aircraft to support Icelandic air

The F-35 continues to support Enhanced Air Policing mission on NATO’s Eastern Flank during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. On May 2, eight F-35As from the 158th Fighter Wing in Burlington, Vermont, deployed to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany to take over

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group conducted operations with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in the Philippine Sea and East China Sea in April. 

The Lincoln has aboard Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314, the Marine

The 115th Fighter Wing in Madison, Wis. will transition from the F-16 to the F-35 in 2023. In preparation for the arrival of the F-35 to Truax Field, approximately 25 Wisconsin Air National Guardsmen have volunteered to be the first Airmen to

Exercise Frisian Flag returned in April 2022 following two years down due to the global pandemic.  

This year the Dutch squadron debuted their F-35As during this international exercise at Leeuwarden Air base in the Netherlands that

It is crucial that NATO allies stand united in the face of adversaries. For the first time, Netherlands F-35s deployed to Bulgaria on April 6 under the enhanced Air Policing mission integrating with the Alliance's enhanced Vigilance Activities in the

The F-35 Joint Program Office has taken another step toward improving the efficiency and effectiveness of its logistics information system through the fielding of hundreds of wireless, electronic barcode scanners at the program’s globally distributed

The National Defense Strategy states that building relationships with our allies and partners strengthens global security. These alliances are an anchor for peace and stability in regions like the Indo-Pacific.  

The U.S. and Australia

Speed and reliability in communications are a demanding task to support the cyber needs of the F-35's associated systems - especially in remote or austere locations. Since the infrastructure needed to maintain speedy communications is not available in

The U.S. Marines tested the ‘Lightning Carrier’ concept on April 3 and broke a record in the process. USS Tripoli (LHA-7) loaded a record-breaking 16 F-35Bs from three squadrons aboard its deck during the week-long Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 13

The F-35 has completed 500,000+ flight hours demonstrating the steady progression and maturation of the program since its first flight in 2006. More than 780 F-35s have been delivered and the fifth-generation aircraft now operates in nine nations

Meet Jacqueline Charles, product support manager at the Combat Data Systems Program Management Office. As a leader at NAVAIR and now at the F-35 JPO, her professionalism and commitment to the warfighter remind us why we are proud to be on Team

Last week, the German Ministry of Defense officially announced their intent to purchase the F-35 Lightning II to elevate their armed forces and replace its aging Tornado jets. German officials explained that the Russian invasion of Ukraine put a

Operations in the Indo-Pacific continue as NATO allies, united by the F-35, keep a vigilant watch on the war in Ukraine. On March 10, Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) F-35As conducted the first-ever air-to-air training between JASDF F-35As and

Meet Dan Dickerson, an Avionics Specialist with the 158th Maintenance Group at the Vermont Air National Guard (VTANG). He has extensive experience on the F-16 and is now focused solely on the keeping the F-35 safely flying. Master Sgt. Dickerson is

The F-35 global fleet continues its commitment to NATO allies during the Russia – Ukraine war. The Royal Air Force’s 617 Squadron F-35Bs from RAF Marham in the U.K. have started flying armed patrols as part of the Enhanced Vigilance Activity,

The Navy’s second fleet squadron to operate the F-35C has been declared safe for flight. The “safe for flight” designation means a squadron has the right personnel and equipment, as well as maintenance and safety programs, in

Around 2,900 participants from several U.S. armed services branches, plus the Royal Air Force for the United Kingdom and the Royal Australian Air Force, flew in the first iteration of Red Flag in 2022 which concluded on February 11. Red Flag is the Air

The F-35 is postured ready to defend the United States and our allies when called upon. On February 24, F-35A aircraft and crews from the 34th Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, repositioned from Germany to the Baltic Sea region to closely

Tyndall Air Force Base hosts different air force units during large-scale training exercises such as Checkered Flag and the Weapons System Evaluation Program due to its vast airspace located over the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Earlier this year, Tyndall aided

Meet Gevonka Denson, Chief Human Capital (CHC) Air Force talent manager and CHC acting deputy. She has been a dedicated federal government employee for 19 years. The CHC teams support the growing JPO workforce by filling critical employment positions,

Ready when called upon: F-35As from the 34th Fighter Squadron, 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, arrived at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, February 16. The 388th Fighter Wing is the first active-duty combat capable F-35A unit. According to

Five members of the F-35 Dual Capable Aircraft Team were presented with the Order of Daedalians Colonel Franklin C. Wolfe Weapons System Award for 2020 a ceremony at the JPO Feb. 16. The 26-person team received the award for collecting a number of essential

Welcome home USS Carl Vinson! The ships of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group returned to the United States February 14 after sailing more than 80,000 nautical miles while underway for 262 days. The deployment was underscored by the unmatched capabilities

A cohesive Navy – Marine Corps team is a powerful tool. Exercise Noble Fusion took place during early February in the Philippine Sea with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy. For the first time since 2018, the

Don’t miss it, Team Lightning II! Major Kristin 'BEO' Wolfe, Commander of the F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, will pilot the F-35 during a Heritage Flight Flyover at the kick-off to Super Bowl LVI! This year, the U.S. Air Force

Maintenance milestone for the F-35 fleet! Due to the diligent work by the F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin, the first 14 sets of new Operational Data Integrated Network, or ODIN, hardware to F-35 squadrons were fielded on time and within budget

Red Flag 2022 is here! For three weeks, the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base leads the charge at the combat scenario exercises with the participation of 12 F-35As. Red Flag 22-1 is a unique exercise because it demonstrates the most cutting edge-

The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli is in the U.S. 3rd Fleet, which spans the central and eastern portions of the Pacific. Tripoli is underway conducting routine operations and achieved another milestone for the F-35 at the start of the new year. An F-

Meet Giselle Soto Gil, a Senior System Engineer in the Air Vehicle Program Management Office supporting the technical and operational requirements of the F-35, including Block 4 software implementation. She finds it rewarding that her work translates into a

The F-35 Enterprise continued to forge forward in 2021 to deliver the unmatched capabilities of the most lethal fifth-generation aircraft to warfighters around the world. With more than 750 F-35s operating from 34 bases and ships around the globe and having

As the global fleet grows as does the F-35's crucial responsibilities to strengthen national security. Norway’s F-35s officially took command of the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) mission on January 6 and ended the F-16 fleet’s 42 year-long

New year, new deployment for the F-35! January 3 marked the beginning of the first carrier deployment for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 “Black Knights” aboard USS Abraham Lincoln. It is also the first carrier deployment for a Marine Corps F

The Australia-United States alliance increases the protection of our interests in the Indo-Pacific. United by the unmatched capabilities of the F-35, the USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group conducted a bilateral training exercise with the Royal Australian

The U.S. Navy continues to make progress towards activating its F-35C squadrons. USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) launched and recovered an F-35C for the first time December 12 during carrier qualifications for the “Rough Riders” of Strike Fighter

Congratulations to the Royal Netherlands Air Force! Their F-35 squadron has achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC). This catapults the Dutch Armed Forces into the fifth-generation realm with unmatched airpower and interoperability. Uniting with

Operation Iron Dagger is a bilateral exercise that showcases the U.S. Air Force’s ability to rapidly mobilize and deploy fifth-generation airpower across the Indo-Pacific theater. The 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, arrived at

Four U.S. Air Force F-35As arrived at Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath in the United Kingdom December 15. The 48th Fighter Wing “Valkyries” were activated in October, and this milestone arrival marks RAF Lakenheath as the first permanent base

The professionals at the F-35 JPO's Hybrid Product Support Integrator (HPSI) organization at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio bring a wealth of acquisition and maintenance knowledge to the team. Its military deputy director, Colonel Shane

At Hill Air Force Base, Utah, the job of creating the first Air Force Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) administration team belongs to the 388th Operations Support Squadron (OSS). This important task will move the ALIS administration by contract

The F-35 unites military assets and capabilities around the world in the air, on land, and at sea to preserve worldwide peace and security. For the last six months, the F-35Bs of U.S. Marine Corps’ VMFA-211 squadron "Wake Island Avengers"

Welcome F-35B to Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, North Carolina! As the lethal stealth fighter demonstrates its capabilities to more and more service members around the country, the November 18 visit to North Carolina marks the

HMS Queen Elizabeth welcomed 30 NATO Ambassadors in one of the final events of the Carrier Strike Group 21 (CSG21) deployment. The delegation were treated to an F-35 capabilities demonstration aboard the air craft carrier. The visit comes as CSG21 nears the

A joint exercise, involving both the Italian Navy aircraft carrier ITS Cavour and the HMS Queen Elizabeth, was carried out in the central Mediterranean Sea in November 2021. It was a milestone for Italian Air Force as their F-35B landed for the first time

Lt. j.g. Suzelle Thomas is the first woman in the U.S. Navy to go directly from flight school to flying the F-35C after earning her Wings of Gold in October 2021. She looks forward to controlling the flight in an advanced and tactical way brought only by

During an exercise on November 8 in the Arabian Sea, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 cross-decked F-35Bs between the HMS Queen Elizabeth to the USS Essex, an amphibious assault ship deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. It emphasized

Happy National Native American Heritage Month! November is dedicated to recognizing the history, celebrating the cultures, and acknowledging the contributions of the indigenous peoples of the United States. U.S. Marine Capt. Anneliese Satz, a descendant of

The F-35 JPO proudly salutes Veterans who served and are currently serving the United States. Veterans Day, celebrated each year on November 11, began as a proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson to honor soldiers who fought in World War I. Today, we thank

Agile Combat Employment is a technique designed to work other jobs to ensure full coverage of capabilities in austere or degraded environments where full resources are unavailable to a team. A two-day training at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska,

Happy 246th birthday to the U.S. Marine Corps! The F-35 JPO is proud to celebrate the Marines across the F-35 Enterprise. The Marine Corps continues to activate new squadrons and participate in deployments and global exercises to strengthen interoperability

In early October, two Marine Corps F-35Bs performed take-offs and landings off the Japanese Ship Izumo stationed in the Pacific. These flights secured a first for the Japanese F-35 program! Before the success of the tests, the teams at the F-35 Integrated

Lieutenant Colonel Natasha Miller is an actual change agent at the F-35 Joint Program Office. Lt. Col. Miller, whose family is from Trinidad and Tobago, came to the JPO for the challenges and opportunities. It is the perfect place to develop skills in

The 356th Fighter Squadron out of Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, made history as the first F-35A team in the Pacific Air Forces to participate in an air-to-air weapons evaluation at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. Successful completion of Weapon System

The F-35C continues its deployment in the Indo-Pacific! The USS Carl Vinson-led carrier strike group is operating in the South China Sea with the F-35C's advanced capabilities courtesy of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 "Argonauts". Most

Naval forces from Australia, Japan, the U.K., and the U.S. joined together in Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) 2021 designed to strengthen multinational interoperability in the eastern Indian Ocean from October 15 – 18. All four participating

Our partner Norway made an important announcement that will ensure that the F-35 is able to deliver on the requirements set by the Norwegian Parliament. The Norwegian Armed Forces, specifically the F-35 squadrons, must be equipped with effective weapons to

An alliance of carrier strike groups, united by the F-35, are working together in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. The integrated at-sea operations brought together more than 15,000 Sailors across six nations and demonstrates the U.S. Navy’s

The Netherlands has formally opened its testing facilities for maintenance of the F-35 engine, the first engine depot outside of the U.S. The facility at Woensdrecht airbase opened on October 1 and will maintain the engines of the European and Israeli F-35

F-35 Unites! Two F-35Bs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 "Bats" successfully landed on the Japanese Ship Izumo on October 3. U.S. Marines embarked aboard the JS Izumo and worked directly with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as part of

The F-35 achieved a milestone at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, in September 2021. Two F-35As executed a Full Weapon System Demonstration, which is considered the ‘graduation’ flight test exercise to achieve nuclear certification from an air-

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 225 "Vikings" conducted its first flight with the F-35B at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, on September 25. As the fifth operational F-35B squadron, VMFA-225 will have a significant role in developing

The F-35 JPO is now on YouTube! Subscribe to the JPO's latest social platform to stay updated on the JPO's unique and growing library of incredible videos to include F-35 Enterprise milestones, achievements, U.S. Service and Partner updates, and

The Defense Department announced a milestone for the F-35C. On September 13, the first F-35C aerial refueling took place by an MQ-25 unmanned platform. This event is significant because unmanned tanking capabilities will free up the Navy's F-35Cs that

Congratulations to the F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin on the 700th delivery of an F-35! Aircraft #700 (AN-20) was formally accepted on September 24. The F-35 remains a premier air system of choice for three of the armed forces, seven

Time savings mean cost savings in the world of the F-35. The 56th Maintenance Group Continuous Improvement and Innovation office at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, developed the F-35A communication cable rebuild and class tester box, allowing Airmen to

Congratulations to our partners Norway and Italy! On September 22, the Norway Italy Reprogramming Lab (NIRL) was formally accepted at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The NIRL provides Norway and Italy with F-35 mission data files to assess what threats to

F-35 Unites! HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales made history when the two ships simultaneously launched F-35Bs for the first time. Although separated by 7,000 miles, the F-35Bs were launched from HMS Prince of Wales during exercises with 207

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 loaded, armed, and employed a Guided Bomb Unit (GBU) 49 onto an F-35B on September 12. VMFA-211 "Wake Island Avengers" are the first squadron to employ the GBU-49 from a Queen Elizabeth class aircraft

Over the next decade, MCAS Cherry Point will become the largest joint strike fighter base in the nation as it will build three F-35 maintenance hangars and welcome six new squadrons by 2028. In August 2021, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point

F-35 Unites! Norwegian F-35s joined U.S. B-2 bombers at the future Quick Reaction Alert base in Evenes, Norway this September. The main focus of the training, named exercise Falcon Deploy 2021, was seamless information exchange between land and air forces

On September 9, a second U.S. Marine Corps squadron declared its F-35B squadron ready for operations. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 reached initial operational capability for its Warfighters at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. It is the second

Bringing the Data to the Fight! Leigh Anne Bierstine leads the Combat Data Systems Program Management Office that provides essential information to the F-35 aircraft. This information, or Mission Data Files, instruct the F-35 aircraft's mission systems

Even a fifth-generation aircraft with the most advanced of capabilities may experience a mishap incident and cannot be returned to the flight line. When these type of events happen, the F-35 Joint Program Office has a strategy in place to use the damaged

HMS Queen Elizabeth made a historic arrival to Japan on September 4. It has been decades since a U.K. carrier has made a port call to the country so the visit is a powerful demonstration of the U.K.’s close and enduring partnership with Japan. The

F-35 Unites! Four F-35Cs from Strike Fight Squadron (VFA) 147 participated in joint interoperability exercises on August 26 over the Philippine Sea with the HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group. The aircraft conducted missions to validate joint

Three carrier strike groups from the U.S. and U.K. are currently in the Indo-Pacific united by the fifth generation power of the F-35. USS America operates with VMFA-121's squadron of F-35Bs. HMS Queen Elizabeth is in the middle of its historic

The F-35 Joint Program Office bids fair winds and following seas to Deputy Program Executive Officer, Vice Admiral Carl P. Chebi. In September 2019, he assumed duty as the DPEO and brought a wealth of fighter jet and acquisition knowledge to the Executive

As more F-35s enter the field, training opportunities better prepare future F-35 pilots and maintenance crews. At Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, air battle managers and mission system operators do not typically get the chance to command and control F-

F-35 Unites! On August 20, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 conducted a milestone operation when an F-35B launched from HMS Queen Elizabeth and landed on USS America to load ordnance, refuel, and strike follow-on objectives. It demonstrated the

Congratulations to our partner Italy! The first Italian Navy F-35B landed for the first time on the deck of ITS Cavour July 30 following the test and certification activity carried out with U.S. aircraft that concluded in April. Its arrival aboard the

Exercise Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral combined training activity between the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and U.S. military. It is designed to test these armed forces in their planning and conducting of Combined and Joint Task Force operations

For one month in Washington, Exercise Summer Fury takes place to enhance Marine-Air-Ground Task Force integration with realistic training to ensure the Marine Corps’ largest aircraft wing remains operationally excellent, interoperable, deployable on

Happy 80th birthday to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 "Green Knights"! On June 24, VFMA-121 celebrated while deployed to the 7th Fleet area of operations. These F-35B pilots and maintenance crews operate in the East China Sea aboard the

The U.K.'s Carrier Strike Group 2021 Phase 2 commenced as HMS Queen Elizabeth passed through the Suez Canal on July 6. The passage through the world famous waterway marked the end of a six-week Phase 1 of exercises and operations in the Eastern Atlantic

U.S. Marine Corps milestone! Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 "Black Knights" stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, achieved full operational capability with its F-35C squadron. If called upon, they can now deploy,

In a global showcase of the F-35's capabilities, U.S. and U.K. F-35Bs aboard the HMS Queen Elizabeth completed their first operational mission in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Shader on June 18. The U.K. Carrier Strike Group has

Meet Lt. Cdr. Stuart Greenfield, a member of the F-35 Assistant Program Manager of Logistics (APML) team for the F-35B. This British native thinks it is important to share his F-35 experience with others since it is an exciting and unique place to work. more...

A significant step in the F-35B strike capability that demonstrates agile combat employment in action took place aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth this June. A British F-35B conducted the U.K. Lightning Force’s first austere forward refueling in an overseas

Welcome to Rogue Ambush! The Royal Australian Air Force deployed over 300 personnel and approximately 30 aircraft to Royal Australian Air Force bases Darwin and Tindal to conduct Exercise Rogue Ambush 2021 from June 15 to July 2. The biannual Rogue Ambush

F-35Bs are now embarked on both of the U.K.’s new aircraft carriers for the first time in a historic moment for the Royal Navy. The debut of the F-35B aboard HMS Prince of Wales is a big step towards a two-strike carrier Navy for our partner the

The Italian-hosted exercise, Falcon Strike 21, is the latest in a series of events aimed at uniting U.S. and international F-35s. From June 7-15, U.S. Air Force F-35As will join U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs, F-35As and F-35Bs from the Italian Air Force, F-35Bs

Checkered Flag, one of the largest air-to-air exercises in the Department of Defense, kicked off May 10 at Tyndall Air Force Base and wrapped up May 21. This large-scale aerial exercise is designed to integrate fourth and fifth-generation aircraft to

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

Meet Lt. Cmdr. Glenn Uy, the Japan In-Country Liaison Officer at the F-35 Joint Program Office based in Tokyo, Japan. He began his Navy career thirty years ago. During the pandemic in Japan, one of his duties became to ease the stay for many mission

F-35 Joint Program Executive Officer Lt. Gen. Eric Fick spoke to a virtual audience for the McAleese and Associates FY2022 Defense Programs conference on May 13. The PEO detailed the Program under the tenets of "Capability, Availability and

F-35 Unites! The U.K., U.S. and France are participating in the trilateral field training exercise known as Atlantic Trident from May 17–28 at Mont-de-Marsan Air Force Base. U.S. Air Force F-35As teamed up with the Royal Air Force’s Typhoons and

Approximately 15,000 U.S. service members, six U.S. Navy ships and 240 aircraft participated in a joint training exercise hosted by U.S. Pacific Air Forces on May 3-14 known as Northern Edge 2021 on and above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, the Gulf

To safely prepare for the arrival of the 48th Fighter Wing's first F-35As later in 2021, the 134th Fighter Squadron and 158th Maintenance Group, Vermont Air National Guard, traveled to Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, to perform tests alongside

On May 10, the 388th Fighter Wing deployed to Europe for the third time. F-35s from Hill Air Force Base touched down at Mont-de-Marsan Air Base, France to participate in multiple events, including Atlantic Trident 21, that unites NATO allies to enhance

The U.K. Royal Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps have embarked on a historic undertaking for the F-35B. The "Wake Island Avengers" (VMFA-211) landed aboard the U.K. Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth May 2 and are now part of the

On May 3, Italian Air Force F-35s assumed responsibility of NATO Baltic Air Policing duties at Ämari base in Estonia. NATO Baltic Air Policing has been operational since 2004 when Estonia joined the alliance but this is the first time the F-35 is

A successful, first-time in-flight "talk" was accomplished between F-35s and an F-22 during a recent flight test. Known as Project Hydra, this initiative was conducted jointly by the U.S. Air Force, Lockheed Martin and the Missile Defense Agency.

Pilots from around the world participate in the F-35 training program to build better relationships with allies and strengthen fifth generation air defenses. On April 13, Royal Danish Air Force pilots delivered the first two RDAF F-35As to Luke Air Force

Reggie Hampton, the newest Chief Management Officer, is the latest in a long line of highly qualified and motivated individuals to take on a more significant role at the F-35 Joint Program Office. more...

A milestone testing event for the F-35 took place in March 2021 at Nellis Air Force Base that demonstrated how crucial innovation is to stay competitive. The Fighter Optimization eXperiment (FoX) seeks to rapidly integrate advanced software and hardware

Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center in Wisconsin is one of the premier training installations in the country. It has expansive airspace and the quality training simulations that made it perfect to host the two-week Northern Thaw exercise this April

U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs aboard USS Makin Island conducted joint training earlier in April with fighter aircraft from the Republic of Singapore Air Force in the South China Sea. These maritime-based engagements unite partner nations and provide a unique

Congratulations to our Partner Denmark on the delivery of their first F-35A! On April 7, Denmark's first F-35A, L-001, was delivered to the Royal Danish Air Force during a ceremony at Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth, Texas facility. Denmark is the

The F-35 Joint Program Office, engineers at U.S. Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) in Cherry Point, N.C., and laser technology professionals are now using a high-tech procedure to strengthen the airframe of some F-35Bs. In February 2021, the first F-35B

The U.S. Air Force has selected Tyndall Air Force Base as the home for three new F-35A squadrons. Basing the F-35s at Tyndall ensures Airmen will continue to have a strategic advantage and will further the service's air superiority goals for 2030 and

The F-35B sea trials aboard the Italian Navy's aircraft carrier ITS Cavour are complete! The F-35 Joint Program Office has delivered a flight clearance recommendation to our Italian partners for the safe operation of the F-35B on their flagship. The

Exercise Tasman Shield 21 has demonstrated the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) strong collaboration with its Navy. For three weeks, air and maritime assets joined together for integrated high-end warfighting training. According to the RAAF, this

The road that brought Mehvish Khan to the F-35 Joint Program Office is similar to what attracts others. It’s the unique structure that combines three U.S. Services, International Partners, and Foreign Military Customers. Let’s meet Mehvish

After a distinguished thirty-year career, U.S. Navy Capt. Jason Lopez (call sign “J-Lo”) will retire from military service. He leaves a positive impression on the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office and its people. It only takes a short

During Women's History Month, we recognize U.S. Air Force Capt. Melanie Ziebart. She is one of a select few U.S. Air Force pilots to fly the F-35B with the U.S. Marine Corps aboard USS America in 2020. Learn more about the skills with the F-35 that make

The partnership could not be stronger between the Italian and U.S. teams aboard ITS Cavour as they begin the second week of sea trials. The first full week saw great progress in the planned testing, and they are ready to capture necessary data to permit the

Teamwork definitely makes the "dream work" as demonstrated by the “Titans” of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron 30 and members of Carrier Air Wing 2. They successfully delivered an F-35C power module, or F135 engine, aboard USS

History is made for our F-35 Partner Italy! Two F-35Bs achieved a milestone for Italy as they landed aboard Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour on March 1. Test pilots flew the U.S. F-35Bs from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., to the Italian Navy

Australia’s F-35A fleet can deploy on operations after Initial Operational Capability (IOC) was officially achieved on Dec. 28, 2020. For the last two years, the F-35A fleet has been rigorously tested to assess aircraft and system performance. The

F-35 Partner Norway returned to Iceland for NATO Air Policing in 2021. The purpose of the NATO mission is to provide air surveillance and interception coverage over Iceland to maintain the integrity of the NATO airspace. With the integration of the F-35,

When F-35 Partners unite, it proves we are stronger together. On Feb. 13, ITS Cavour arrived to Naval Station Norfolk, Va. to conduct its sea trials with the F-35 Pax River Integrated Test Force (ITF) team from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. Over 200

The F-35 Joint Program Office welcomed Lt Jason Faulk in 2019 when he joined the Office of the Chief Information Officer. He has demonstrated his project management savvy here within the field of software architecture, but there is more to this Virginia

A new year, a new Red Flag! The combat scenario training brings service members together at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada to "battle it out" from January 25 through February 12. Red Flag 21-1 provides realistic, multi-domain exercises in a

Ensign Jesse L. Brown's persistence solidified him as a trailblazer in the aviation community. As the first Black man to complete the U.S. Navy's flight training program, his path to the milestone was met with skepticism. Eventually, Ensign For

Efficiency is on the minds of the 372nd Training Squadron Detachment 3 and the 388th Maintenance Group at Hill Air Force Base. The goal for a newly developed hydraulics course is to provide the foundational knowledge for maintainers to be able to complete

The "Perfect Storm" took place in early January 2021. The Italian exercise integrated 4th and 5th generation weapon systems such as F-35As, F-35Bs, MQ-9 Predators and Eurofighters. The integration process between legacy and latest generation

Congratulations to our partner Denmark on their first F-35 pilot's inaugural flight at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. The pilot, KIN, described the F-35 as "sending both the Air Force and the Armed Forces into a new era." The F-35 Enterprise has a

Upon their arrival in December 2020, U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 are providing Close Air Support to the U.S. forces in East Africa. These F-35Bs, deployed off Somalia aboard amphibious assault ship USS

Welcome to the second F-35A squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska! The 355th Fighter Squadron ‘Fighting Falcons' joined the 356th FS at a reactivation ceremony on December 18. The reactivation of the 355th FS bolsters the wing’s

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 conducted an F-35C expeditionary operations demonstration at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) Twentynine Palms, Calif., on December 3. Two of the squadron’s jets landed for the first time using

Despite not receiving their F-35 until 2023, the Danish Air Force is taking advantage of opportunities to train with its F-35 partners in Danish airspace. During a recent exercise, a Danish F-16 joined Dutch F-35s in order to gain experience with the 5th

Congratulations to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 on their declaration of IOC! Initial Operational Capability (IOC) means the Marines at Miramar are trained and ready to fly and support a full squadron of the 5th-generation fighters. Less than one year

On November 26, an Italian F-35A and F-35B of the 13° Gruppo (Flight Group) of the 32° Stormo (Wing) of Amendola flew with internal and external inert load for the first time. This configuration is often called "Beast Mode" and is a 

The Large Force Test Event (LFTE) 20.03 integrated ten weapons systems, including the F-35, F-22, F-15E, and F-16, during a joint operational test event designed to validate tactics in a combat environment. The LFTE, which took place in Nevada mid-November

As part of their visit to NAS Patuxent River, midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy’s Aerospace Engineering Department toured several aircraft to get a glimpse of naval aviation front and center. They got the opportunity to see the inside of an F-35C

Alaska is one of the most strategic locations in the world and will be home to the highest concentration of fifth generation aircraft in the Department of Defense. The 354th Fighter Wing conducted Arctic Gold 21-1 on November 17 with its F-35A fleet at

What's in a name? Senior Airman Eric Ruiz-Garcia is an F-35 dedicated crew chief (DCC) at Luke Air Force Base whose hard work recently got his name on an aircraft. He says that seeing his name on an F-35 reminds him "to stay grounded, to stay

For the future of the Royal Norwegian Air Force, the F-35 is key to keeping security, stability and predictability in the Arctic region. It creates a connection between its partner nations that strengthens each participant as they develop, produce, sustain

In her current position as the F-35 Joint Program Office’s Executive Director, Tanya Skeen recently reflected on her beginnings as a flight sciences engineer on the X-35 Program. "I never would have imagined, when I was a young engineer writing

The Marines now have a second F-35B unit in the Indo-Pacific! Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 12 re-designated Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242 as part of the Marine Corps' ongoing transition

The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) kicked off Exercise Crimson Warrior, the largest military exercise to be run by the RAF in the United Kingdom for over a decade, in late October. Lasting a few weeks, Crimson Warrior provides realistic combat training and will

Congratulations to Lt. Col. Jared "Vic" Santos on becoming the first U.S. Air Force pilot to reach 1,000 flying hours in an F-35A! Lt. Col. Santos reached this historic milestone during a training mission over the Utah Test and Training Range on

Exercise Enduring Lightning is a joint training between the United States and Israel in the Middle East. As part of the third Enduring Lightning exercise occurring this year, pilots trained on how to strike a simulated target area, while fending off

ODIN, or Operational Data Integrated Network, is a modernized hardware that aims to decrease maintainer workload. In September, Marines at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma, Ariz., completed the loading of a single squadron of F-35Bs on new

The Army teamed up with Marine Corps F-35Bs in September during Project Convergence in the Yuma Desert. Project Convergence is a new Army initiative designed to combine the service's capabilities with joint force assets in the air (like the F-35), land

The U.S. Air Force 354th Fighter Wing completed the Arctic Fox exercise at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, on September 22. The five-day readiness exercise evaluates Eielson's cargo deployment function (CDF) for an F-35A operational deployment. As this

Happy 73rd birthday to the United States Air Force and all the Airmen across the F-35 Enterprise! #AimHigh more...

The F-35 Crew Chief Upgrade Training course was jointly developed by the 372nd Training Squadron Detachment 3 and the 388th Maintenance Group at Hill Air Force Base.

The new three-week course alleviates the training backlog for new maintainers and

Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center in Wisconsin is one of the premier training installations in the country due to its expansive airspace, which is used to simulate the combat environment for warfighters. Held from August 10-21, Northern Lightning is

By teaming together, we can reach new levels of interoperability! Dutch and U.S. F-35 partners completed the first Coalition Mission Data flight test at Luke Air Force Base in August.more...

Congratulations Marines! Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 was named the Outstanding Unit of Red Flag 20-3.more...

Earlier this year, the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base had to conquer a challenge; obtaining new saws allowing first responders to cut through the F-35 canopy in case of system failure.

The current tool, a K-12 circular saw, was

The 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. recently implemented the Beast Mode weapons configuration on its F-35As during training sorties with student pilots.more...

Exercise Summer Fury 20 took place on Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., during the last week in July.

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Excitement is in the air for the Israeli Air Force. Their second F-35 “Adir” squadron is now operational!more...

Despite a global pandemic, records are being set by the F-35 Production Delivery Team! During the first week of August, 13 F-35s were delivered to customers in six locations totaling over 47,000 delivery miles.more...

Congratulations to the U.S. Air Force! They received their 250th F-35A at the end of July and soar onward in the ability to test, train and deploy with unmatched fifth generation airpower.more...

In one of the most high profile AORs, the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron accomplished another "first" for its F-35A unit - go into alert status.more...

UK's 617 Squadron F-35Bs welcomed Italian F-35As in an Interoperability Mission over the North Sea to refine Fighter Integration tactics between 4th and 5th generation air power.

Airmen from the active duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings are heading north with the F-35A for three weeks of Red Flag Alaska alongside Air Force units at Eielson Air Force Base. However, Red Flag Alaska will be a bit different for Hill Air Force