Current Years News

2015 News Archive

2014 News Archive

2013 News Archive

2012 News Archive

2011 News Archive

2012 12 20 - F-35 'Pushes the Envelope'
The F-35 Integrated Test Force made significant progress expanding the flight envelope of the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant over...

2012 12 17 - AETC Declares Eglin Ready for F-35 Training
Following an independent evaluation of Eglin's capability to conduct F-35A Lightning II pilot training, Air Education and Training Command announced...

2012 12 12 - Arrival of Last F-35C Completes Patuxent River Complement of Lightning II Aircraft
Aircraft CF-5, flown by Navy test pilot Lt. Cmdr. Michael Burks, takes off from the F-35 Lightning II manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11...

2012 12 12 - F-35B Achieves Milestone Flight
Marine Corps test pilot Maj. C. R. Clift flies BF-1 on a short take off and vertical landing mode mission, Dec. 7. The flight marked the 1000th...

2012 12 10 - Pilot Calls F-35 ‘Big Leap’ in Fighter Capability
The F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter jet will be a strategic deterrent for the nation because of its "huge leap in capability," a Marine Corps pilot said...

2012 12 06 - New Program Executive for F-35 Lightning II Office
With a commitment to building on his predecessor’s foundation, a new leader took charge of the F-35 Lightning II program office at a Pentagon ceremony Dec. 6...

2012 12 05 - F-35B Completes Second Airborne Weapons Separation
The F-35 Lightning II Integrated Test Force (ITF) accomplished another significant test milestone Dec. 3 when an F-35B successfully released another weapon in flight...

2012 11 30 - F-35 Lightning II Program Surpasses 5,000 Flight Test Hours
The F-35 Lightning II program surpassed 5,000 flight hours last week. This milestone was reached by the combined F-35 System Development and Demonstration (SDD) aircraft flying at the production facility in Fort Worth, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif...

2012 11 30 -First Operational F-35 Pilots, Maintainers Attend Transition Training
The first two operational Marine fighter pilots from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA 121) attended F-35 transition training at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., from September 17 through November 20...

2012 11 30 - F-35 Lightning II Hits Weapons Testing Milestone
Building the F-35's weapons testing momentum in 2012, the F-35 integrated test force at Naval Air Station Patuxent River completed a weapons ejection milestone for the Lightning II carrier variant on Nov. 28...

2012 11 30 - Principle Agreement Reached on Fifth Production Lot of Lockheed Martin F-35s
The U.S. Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin have reached and agreement in principle to manufactur 32 F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters as part of Low-Rate Initial Production 5 (LRIP-5)...

2012 11 20 - F-35 Begins Integration Phase of Weapons Testing
The Joint Strike Fighter began the integration phase of weapons testing Oct. 26 when the F-35A Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL) aircraft successfully completed the first in-flight test with an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile...

2012 11 20 - First Operational F-35 Squadron Honored in Historic Ceremony
Celebrating 100 years of Marine Aviation, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing welcomed its first F-35B squadron during an official ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. During the ceremony Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 121, formerly an F/A-18 Hornet squadron, re-designated as the Corps' first operational F-35 squadron, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121...

2012 11 20 - Second Production-level F-35B Arrives at Patuxent River
Navy test pilot Lt. Christopher Tabert taxis BF-18, a production-level F-35B variant of the Lightning II, after arrival Nov. 8. BF-18 temporarily adds to the complement of F-35B and F-35C test aircraft at the F-35 Integrated Test Facility before heading to its ultimate destination of Edwards Air Force...

2012 11 16 - Marine Corps Welcomes First F-35B Aircraft to Yuma
The Marine Corps welcomed its first operational F-35B aircraft, the Marine Corps variant of the F-35 Lightning II also known as the Joint Strike Fighter, to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. Friday, Nov. 16...

2012 11 15 - F-35A OUE Events Completed, Success Handed to AETC for Review
A major step in the building the Air Force's F-35A Lightning II training program was accomplished when the 33rd Fighter Wing completed the training and flying portion of the service's operational utility evaluation on schedule Nov. 15...

2012 11 15 - F-35 Leadership Visits NAS Patuxent River Test Force
The program executive officer for the F-35 Lightning II program and his deputy visited Naval Air Station Patuxent River's integrated test force Nov. 7, part of a series of similar tours around the country to the aircraft's development facilities. During the visit, program head Navy Vice Adm. David Venlet introduced his successor Air Force Maj. Gen. Christopher Bogdan and noted the progress of the F-35 in test and evaluation...

2012 11 06 - F-35 Celebrates 500th Sortie as Program Grows
The Air Force's premier fighter, the F-35 Lightning II, surpassed its 500th sortie only 16 days after reaching the 400 mark and only 238 days from the beginning of the program. Maj. Matthew Johnston of the 58th Fighter Squadron completed the 500th combined sortie for both the F-35A...

2012 10 24 - A Generation of Naval Aviation: The F-35B Lightning II With the NU-1B Otter
The future of fixed-wing naval aviation flies with Navy's oldest aircraft. Marine Corps Maj. C. R. Clift performs a short takeoff in an F-35B Lightning II assigned to the F-35 Integrated Test Facility while Jerry Gallagher and Lt. Cmdr. Jason Saglimbene wait in an NU-1B Otter from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School on Oct. 22 at Patuxent River, Md...

2012 10 22 - F-35A Completes First In-flight AIM-120 Weapons Release
An F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft completed the first in-flight weapons release of an instrumented AIM-120 from a 5th Generation fighter, Oct. 19. The flight was conducted by U.S. Air Force Maj. Matt "Fuze" Phillips. The aircraft, known as AF-1, jettisoned an AIM-120 over the China Lake test range from the left internal weapons bay...

2012 10 17 - CSAF Visits 33rd Fighter Wing
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III examines the helmet-mounted display system and flight suit used for the F-35A Lightning II with Col. Andrew Toth, 33rd Fighter Wing commander during his visit to the wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 16. During an immersion at the integrated training center for the fifth generation aircraft, Welsh said he considers the joint strike fighter mission...

2012 10 17 - F-35: Newest Fighter Much More than Just 'Stealthy Plane'
The engines roared overhead as an F-35A fell into formation. Although this is a basic maneuver for the test pilots, the possibilities for combat environments created by these elite aircraft working together are anything but mundane. The F-35, which features three variants to be used by the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, is a single-seat aircraft capable of stealthy operations, equipped with an enhanced computer technology system...

2012 10 17 - F-35A Completes First In-Flight Weapons Release
An F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft completed the first in-flight weapons release of a 2,000 pound GBU-31 BLU-109 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) from a 5th Generation fighter, Oct. 16. The flight was conducted by U.S. Air Force Maj. Eric "Doc" Schultz. The aircraft, known as AF-1, jettisoned an instrumented GBU-31 over the China Lake test range from the left internal weapons bay...

2012 10 09 - First Production-level F-35B Arrives at NAS Patuxent River
BF-17, part of the third lot of Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP 3) F-35B Lightning II aircraft, arrives at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., Oct. 4. BF-17 will temporarily add to the complement of F-35B and F-35C test aircraft at the F-35 Integrated Test Facility before heading to its destination at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif...

2012 10 04 - Marine Corps Joint Strike Fighter Conducts First Aerial Refuel
An F-35B Joint Strike Fighter conducts the first aerial refueling of its kind with a KC-130J Hercules in the sky above Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 2. Previous aerial refueling operations with the F-35 have been conducted only with test aircraft...

2012 09 27 - F-35B Aircraft Test Flight with AIM-9X Sidewinder
Navy test pilot Lt. Christopher Tabert flies F-35B aircraft BF-3 with inert AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles Sept. 19 over the Atlantic Test Ranges. The test flight evaluated airplane structural loads and flying qualities during maneuvering flight. The F-35B is the variant of the Joint Strike Fighter...

2012 09 25 - Air Force Runs with New F-35 Engine Program
An Airman seated in an aircraft, surrounded by electronic displays, surveys the cockpit of an F-35A Lightning II and begins rehearsed procedures that now feel comfortable. He feels the jet's familiar rumble below as the engine roars to life on the flightline...

2012 09 24 - Around the Flag Pole
An F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter banks left for another approach to the 33rd Fighter Wing runway at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Sept. 21. Both the A and B variants have flown more than 300 since arriving at Eglin and can be seen in the skies over the base almost daily...

2012 09 20 - Space Shuttle Endeavour Lands at Edwards
NASA's modified Boeing 747 carrier aircraft carries the Space Shuttle Endeavour as it lands at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. on Sept. 20, 2012, completing the fourth leg of its ferry flight to its new home at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, Calif...

2012 09 12 - F-35A Maintenance Training on Track
As the Air Force begins its Operational Utility Evaluation of the F-35A Lightning II, maintenance training to support the Joint Strike Fighter is also preparing for key program milestones...

2012 09 10 - F-35C Aircraft in Formation
F-35 test pilots Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Burks and Peter Kosogorin of BAE fly CF-1 and CF-2 during a formation flying qualities test Sept. 5 in the Atlantic Test Ranges. Testing formation flying qualities provides data on handling characteristics...

2012 09 04 - F-35B Completes First Airborne Engine Start Tests
The short take-off and vertical landing variant of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter successfully completed a major prerequisite test for in-flight performance Aug. 15...

2012 09 01 - F-35 Fighter Reactivates Grim Reapers
The display of Navy signal flags outside the Eglin Air Force Base building where Cmdr David Dorn works is many miles from the nearest ship, let alone the aircraft carriers he's used to...

2012 08 29 - F-35B Aircraft in Formation
F-35 test pilots Marine Corps Maj. C. R. Clift and Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Burks fly BF-2 and BF-4 during a formation flying qualities test in the Atlantic Test Range Aug. 22...

2012 08 28 - F-35B Opens Door to True Cooperation of Forces
Since the 1950s, engineers worldwide have been trying to create the ideal airplane that possesses the ability to perform short takeoffs and vertical landings while maintaining speed and missile capabilities...

2012 08 24 - Eglin Achieves 100 Flights in 44 Days
In a sign the F-35 Lightning II is progressing forward, U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Joseph Bachmann, pilot, VMFAT-501, completed the 33rd Fighter Wing's 200th combined Air Force...

2012 08 23 - 33rd FW Flightline Activity
Col Andrew Toth, the 33rd Fighter Wing commander, passes his helmet and gear to Staff Sgt Jeremy Houser, of the 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, after his aircraft familiarization sortie in the F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike...

2012 08 08 - F-35 Completes First Airborne Weapons Separation
The F-35 Lightning II accomplished a significant test milestone Aug.8 when the aircraft successfully released a weapon in flight. BF-3, a short take-off and vertical landing F-35 variant, released an inert 1,000-pound GBU-32...

2012 07 25 - New Flight Control Mode Improves F-35C Handling on Landing Approach
Flying approaches for a carrier landing just might be a little easier in the future. The F-35C Integrated Test Force here completed the first dedicated test flight May 4 to evaluate the F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter's...

2012 07 25 - F-35B Model Lands at Edwards
BF-2 taxis in after arriving at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., July 23, 2012 in order to begin airstart testing at the 461st Flight Test Squadron. Marine Corps test pilot Lt. Col. Matt Kelly flew the aircraft from Naval Air Station...

2012 07 24 - Eglin Receives First United Kingdom F-35 Lightning II Aircraft
The first F-35B Lightning II arrives at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., from Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas, on July 23. The jet is the first of eight international partner variants of the joint strike fighter to be based...

2012 07 20 - Luke Continues to Support F-35 Mission at Eglin AFB
As part of a plan to prepare the 33rd Fighter Wing for the arrival of the F-35, Luke Air Force Base sent some assets to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., in January 2011. Now, a year-and-a-half later, the 56th Maintenance Group continues...

2012 07 19 - UK Takes Delivery of First Lightning II Fighter Jet
The first of the UK's next generation stealth combat aircraft has today been handed over to the MoD. At a ceremony in Forth Worth, Texas, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond formally accepted the first jet which will be...

2012 07 19 - First International Joint Strike Fighter Delivered to the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom accepted the first international F-35 Lightning II, Joint Strike Fighter aircraft at a ceremony attended by senior representatives of the U.K. Ministry of Defence and the U.S. Department of Defense...

2012 07 18 - Panetta Lauds First International F-35 Delivery to UK
After a meeting this morning with the United Kingdom's top military official, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta lauded an important milestone...

2012 07 18 - SecDef Panetta Presents UK MOD Hammond an F-35 Model
Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta hands over a model of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Defense Phillip Hammond in a symbolic gesture that marks the delivery of the first actual...

2012 07 13 - F-35 Triple Play
Three U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter jets (tail numbers AF-14, AF-15, and AF-16) are the latest to be delivered from Lockheed Martin to the U.S. Government. The jets will be used to support pilot training at...

2012 07 12 - Wing Flies 100th F-35 Lightning II Sortie
Marine Lt. Col. David Berke, commanding officer for the Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, taxis in from completing the 100th F-35 Lightning II...

2012 07 11 - Fifth F-35B Test Aircraft Returns to Patuxent River
The F-35B test aircraft BF-5 returned to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., on June 26 after a planned modification period in Forth Worth, Texas...

2012 07 05 - F-35 Undergoes Pit Testing
F-35 tail number AF-1 underwent stores static ejection testing at the F-22 Combined Test Force for the past three weeks...

2012 07 02 - Trailblazing Lightning II Test Pilot Hits the Road
"Lightning 8" is signing off, at least for now. The senior F-35 military test pilot who ensured the safe execution of flight test from the delivery of the first F-35B in 2009 and sea trials on USS Wasp (LHD1) last year is moving on...

2012 06 29 - First External Weapons Test Flight for the F-35C
The carrier variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter flew for the first time with external weapons June 27. Navy test pilot Lt. Christopher Tabert flew CF-1 with inert AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles on port and starboard...

2012 06 21 - First Asymmetric Weapons Load Test for F-35B
On June 14, F-35B Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft BF-2 completed the first test flight for the short takeoff and vertical landing variant with an asymmetric weapons load. Cmdr. Eric Buus flew BF-2 with an AIM-9X...

2012 06 20 - JSF Program Executive Officer Visits 461st FLTS
Lt. Col. George Schwartz, 461st Flight Test Squadron commander, presents Vice Admiral David J. Venlet with a commemorative flag and photo on behalf of the Joint Strike Fighter Integrated Test Force. Venlet is the program...

2012 06 15 - First Night Takeoff for the F-35C
Marine Corps test pilot Lt. Col. Matt Taylor ascends in F-35C test aircraft CF-2 June 13. The flight was the first night takeoff for the carrier variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter...

2012 06 15 - Norway Orders First F-35; Secures JSM Integration Support
Norway today commenced the largest public procurement project in its history. The event was marked by Minister of Defence Espen Barth Eide authorizing the order for the first F-35A Lightning II for the Norwegian...

2012 06 06 - Milestone Test Flight for the F-35C
Cmdr Eric Buus brings F-35C Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft CF-3 in for a landing at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., May 29. The flight was the 300th flight for the F-35's carrier variants and evaluated improvements in...

2012 06 01 - 200th Flight for the First F-35B
U.S. Marine Corps test pilot Lt. Col. Fred Schenk flies a mission May 10 in F-35B Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft BF-1. The mission expanded the aircraft's flight envelope in short takeoff and vertical landing mode...

2012 06 01 - Squadron CC Completes F-35 Training
Lt. Col. Eric Smith congratulates Lt. Col. Lee Kloos on becoming the latest qualified joint strike fighter pilot and DOD's first non-developmental test pilot to qualify, May 31 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla...

2012 05 23 - Flight Pattern Q&A with First Military Test Pilot to Fly the X-35 and F-35
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Art Tomassetti became "Lightning 35," the 35th test pilot to fly the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. Tomassetti is a trailblazer as he was an original test pilot for the X-35, precursor to today's F-35...

2012 05 22 - F-35B Lifts Off for First Flight at Eglin
An F-35B Lightning II made its first flight at Eglin Air Force Base today, two months after 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing officially introduced the Marine Corps'...

2012 05 15 - A Dozen F-35s Now Call Eglin Home
The twelfth F-35 Lightning II destined for the training fleet at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., was ferried today. U.S. Marine Corps pilot Lt. Col. Fred Schenk...

2012 05 10 - Two F-35Bs Ferried to Eglin, Marking 25th DOD Delivery
Two F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) production aircraft were ferried to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., today, marking the 24th and 25th F-35...

2012 05 10 - 200th Flight For F-35B Test Aircraft BF-3
U.S. Marine Corps test pilot Lt. Col. Matthew Kelly flies F-35B test aircraft BF-3 in an Atlantic test range May 3. The 200th test flight for BF-3 measured...

2012 05 09 - Officials Emphasize Commitment to Joint Strike Fighter
Senior leaders from the Air Force and Navy affirmed yesterday that the F-35 joint strike fighter remains the centerpiece of the tactical aircraft program and will play a large part in the services' onging modernization plans...

2012 05 09 - Marine Maintainers
Maintainers with the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron-501 watch as the F-35B Lightning II joint strike fighter performs an engine run May 7 at Eglin Air...

2012 05 08 - Vice Admiral David J. Venlet Opening Remarks
My observations and assessments over the past year give me reason to believe the basic aircraft and engine designs are sound and will deliver...

2012 04 21 - F-35 Completes First In-Flight Refueling Mission with External Weapons
A F-35A Lightning II conventional takeoff and landing aircraft completed the programs first in-flight refueling mission while configured with external...

2012 04 18 - F-35 Team Hits Weapons Testing Mark
After ejecting a 500-pound bomb from F-35B test aircraft BF-3, the test team took a collective breath, and watched as it hurtled toward the concrete...

2012 04 16 - F-35 Training Center Begins Formal Training
While celebrating each F-35 Lightning II arrival, the integrated joint strike fighter training team also recently opened the doors for the first Air Force certification courses on the logistical support behind the nation's newest weapons platform...

2012 04 12 - F-35A Pilots Complete Eglin's First Formation Flight
Two F-35A Lightning IIs from the 33rd Fighter Wing soar over Eglin Air Force Base's range during the unit's first joint strike fighter formation flight April...

2012 04 12 - Eglin Completes First F-35A Refueling Mission
An F-35A Lightning II from the 33rd Fighter Wing soars alongside a KC-135R Stratotanker and an F-16 Fighting Falcon during the unit's first joint strike...

2012 04 05 - Navy Test Pilot Knows His ABCs
In the alphabet soup of military acronyms and abbreviations, it can be difficult to keep the ABCs straight. Despite the alphabetical hurdles, one Navy test...

2012 04 05 - Navy's Newest Squadron Prepares for New F-35 Fighters
Navy personnel are busy preparing to teach the next generation of Sailors how to work with and fly the newest military aircraft, the F-35C Lightning II...

2012 03 28 - SecAF Visits Edwards F-35 Integrated Test Force
"You continue to make history-literally every day-with the work you do here." These words of affirmation were given by Secretary of the Air Force...

2012 03 28 - U.S. Remains Committed to F-35 Program, Panetta Says
Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta yesterday reaffirmed the Defense Department's commitment to the F-35 joint strike fighter program and to...

2012 03 26 - F-35A Completes First Night Refueling Mission
The first night refueling in this history of the F-35 program was completed Thursday at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Piloted by U.S. Air Force Lt. Col...

2012 03 21 - Fuels Flight Ensures JSF Ready for Next Sortie
James Murr, a seven member of the 96th Petroleum Oil and Lubricants flight, refuels the F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter's 18,000 pound internal...

2012 03 20 - F-35 Reaches Critical Juncture After Strong Year, Official Says
The F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter program–the centerpiece of future tactical aviation and a key to implementing new military strategic guidance...

2012 03 20 - House Armed Services Committee Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee Opening Remarks, Vice Admiral David J. Venlet, US Navy, F-35 Program Executive Officer
Thank you Chairman Bartlett, Ranking Member Reyes and members of the committee for inviting me to appear before you today to discuss the F-35...

2012 03 19 - Eglin AFB Conducts First Engine Run on F-35B
Marine Corps Maj. Aric Liberman, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 501 operations officer at the 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla., uses the first...

2012 03 14 - F-35A Completes Second Local Sortie at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Joseph Bachmann successfully piloted the second F-35 local orientation flight in the skies above the Emerald Coast today...

2012 03 06 - F-35 Launch is First Step to Future Air Dominance
No matter what uniform they wear, service members of the 33rd Fighter Wing know the launch of the first F-35 Lightning II flight here March 6 is a small step into the next half century of air dominance...

2012 03 02 - Fifth Generation Fighters Crucial to Air Superiority
The Air Force is the world's most advanced air and space force and, with the integration of fifth generation aircraft, is gaining new tactical...

2012 02 28 - Air Force Issues Flight Release for Eglin AFB F-35A
Officials at the Aeronautical Systems Center here issued a Military Flight Release today that will allow the F-35A Lightning II fighter to begin initial operations at Eglin AFB, Fla...

2012 02 23 - First F-35B Flight with External Weapons
Over an Atlantic test range, Lockheed Martin test pilot Dan Levin flies F-35B test aircraft BF-2 with external weapons pylons for the first time Feb. 22...

2012 02 21 - British Test Pilot Marks Milestone in the Joint Combat Aircraft
On Feb. 21, Royal Air Force (RAF) Squadron Leader Jim Schofield became the United Kingdom’s first military test pilot to fly the F-35C, the carrier variant of the Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft...

2012 02 20 - Edwards F-35A Conducts First External Weapons Test Mission
On Feb. 16, the first external weapons test mission was flown by an F-35A Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL) aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif...

2012 02 17 - F-35B Marine Corps Major Selected as Test Pilot of the Year
The test pilot responsible for leading the planning effort for the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter’s initial sea trials in October received accolades for his leadership during a ceremony here Feb. 16...

2012 02 17 - 'Lightning Legacy' Lives On
In 1941 the Lockheed Martin P-38 Lightning launched into service in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was instrumental in the success of American campaigns in World War II...

2012 02 07 - JSF Construction Progresses, Features Updated Design
Work on the new F-35B Joint Strike Fighter hangars is progressing; these hangars are slated to feature many improvements over the AV-8B Harrier hangars currently in use on station...

2012 02 03 - F-35 Jet Returns to Flying at Edwards AFB Feb 3.
AF-1, a F-35 Lightning II, resumed flying Friday, Feb. 3, at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., after the Integrated Test Force Team there received and installed the first properly packed parachute head box assembly for its ejection seat from the Martin Baker Aircraft Corporation...

2012 01 26 - JPO Statement on Parachute Packing Irregularity with -21 and -23 Ejections Seats
On 26 January, the F-35 Joint Program Office temporarily suspended high speed ground and flight operations at Edwards AFB, Calif., Eglin AFB, Fla. and Lockheed Martin’s F-35 production facility in Fort Worth, Texas after discovering improperly packed parachutes in affected production and test aircraft...

2012 01 20 - Panetta Lifts F-35 Fighter Variant Probation
Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced today he’s lifted probation from the Short Takeoff, Vertical Landing variant of the fifth generation F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter which is absolutely vital to maintaining air superiority...

2012 01 20 - JPO Statement as Panetta Lifts STOVL Probation
"Secretary Panetta's decision to take the F-35B Lightning II short takeoff, vertocal landing (STOVL) variant off probation was a hard-earned..."

2012 01 19 - BF-7 Delivered to Eglin Air Force Base
Piloted by U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Joseph Bachman, BF-7 departs Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base at 2:07 p.m. CST on its...

2012 01 18 - F-35A Performs First Night Flight
The first night flight in the history of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Program was completed Wednesday at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif...

2012 01 11 - F-35B Maintainer Trains to be Part of Aviation History
As the Marine Corps celebrates its centennial of aviation this year, a member of the 33d Fighter Wing became a part of that history having recovered the first F-35B Lightning II, here, Jan. 11...

2012 01 11 - Marine Corps Welcomes First F-35B Aircraft to its Fleet
The Marine Corps welcomed its first F-35B aircraft, the Marine Corps variant of the F-35 Lightning II, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Jan. 11...

2012 01 05 - 2nd MAW Plans to Revolutionize Marine Aviation with F-35B
In keeping with th its highest traditions, Marine Corps aviation has been and will continue to expand throughout the next year...

Home | Program | Leadership | F-35 | News | Gallery
History | Downloads | Acronyms | Careers | Site Map | Contact