F-35 B-Course Student Pilots 1st Flight

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Ian Woodward, 58th Fighter Squadron B-Course student pilot, tests his equipment before his flight on the F-35A Lightning II at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, March 16, 2021. The B-Course student pilots spent months in preparation, including realistic simulation flights and classwork. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Colleen Coulthard)

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Ian Woodward, 58th Fighter Squadron F-35A student pilot, prepares to taxi to the runway at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, March 18, 2021. Woodward completed his first flight in the F-35A Lightning II as part of the initial qualification training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Colleen Coulthard)

F-35 B-Course Student Pilots 1st Flight

U.S. Air Force Capt. Christopher Fjelstad, 58th Fighter Squadron instructor pilot, coaches 1st Lt. Amanda Cannon, 58th Fighter Squadron F-35A student pilot, during her preflight check at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, March 16, 2021. Cannon completed her first flight in an F-35A Lightning II as part of the initial qualification training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Colleen Coulthard)

F-35 B-Course Student Pilots 1st Flight

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Kirsten Eissman, 58th Fighter Squadron F-35A student pilot, and Col. Byron Pompa, 33rd Operations Group commander, perform a preflight check on an F-35A Lightning II prior to takeoff at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, March 15, 2021. The current student pilots in the initial qualification training spent months in preparation, including realistic simulation flights and classwork. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Colleen Coulthard)

F-35 B-Course Student Pilots 1st Flight

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Amanda Cannon, 58th Fighter Squadron F-35A student pilot, secures her helmet prior to her first flight in an F-35A Lightning II at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, March 16, 2021. The initial qualification training is the student pilot's initial training on the F-35s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Colleen Coulthard)

F-35 B-Course Student Pilots 1st Flight

U.S. Air Force crew chiefs, assigned to the 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and Capt. John Toner, 58th Fighter Squadron F-35A student pilot, perform postflight procedures at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, March 15, 2021. Toner completed his first flight while in the initial qualification training for the F-35A Lightning II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Colleen Coulthard)

F-35 B-Course Student Pilots 1st Flight

U.S. Air Force Maj. Seth Rumbarger, 58th Fighter Squadron F-35A student pilot, prepares for his first flight in an F-35A Lightning II, while his family and friends at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, March 15, 2021. Rumbarger’s family traveled from Tampa, Florida, to show their support.. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Colleen Coulthard)

F-35 B-Course Student Pilots 1st Flight

Published March 26, 2021
By Airman Colleen Coulthard
33rd Fighter Wing

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --

U.S. Air Force 58th Fighter Squadron B-Course student pilots fly for the first time in an F-35A Lightning II at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, March 16, 2021. The B-Course student pilots spent months in preparation, including realistic simulation flights and classwork. (U.S. Air Force photos by Airman Colleen Coulthard)