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  • Luke F-35 competes for first time in load crew competition

    A Luke Air Force Base F-35 Lightning II crew competed today for the first time in a load crew competition here against legacy F-16 Fighting Falcon crews.Quarterly load crew competitions showcase the combat readiness and effectiveness of load crew teams to safely and properly arm an aircraft within

  • 33rd FW crew chiefs advance with F-35

    As the Air Force continues to develop their newest fighter jet, the F-35 Lightning II, the 33rd Fighter Wing ensures the Airmen tasked with taking care of it receive the training they need to advance with it. Crew chiefs, who have worked alongside the F-35 since its production, have transformed into

  • First Norwegian F-35s arrive at Luke AFB for training

    The first two Norwegian F-35s arrived today at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Shortly after, a Norwegian pilot flew the F-35 Lightning II for the first time today, in conjunction with the Royal Norwegian air force's birthday.The F-35 program took its first step forward integrating partner nations with

  • F-35: Italians first mission highlights partnerships

    Two Italian pilots completed their initial training flight in the F-35 Lightning II Nov. 5 at Luke Air Force Base marking the first F-35 flights under control of an Italian pilot.Today marks another significant step forward for the F-35 program as today's missions showcased the full partnership

  • Air Force sets weight restrictions for F-35 pilots

    Air Force leaders recently made a decision to restrict pilots weighing less than 136 pounds from flying the F-35A Lightning II due to safety concerns about the ejection seat in a portion of the flight envelope.

  • Strike Fighter Squadron 101 Changes Command

    The "Grim Reapers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101 held a change of command ceremony July 2 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.During the ceremony, Cmdr. James D. Christie relieved Capt. Frederick E. Crecelius as the commanding officer of VFA-101, the first F-35C Lightning II squadron in the

  • First Marine graduates Air Force’s only F-35 intelligence course

    The first U.S. Marine Corps officer graduated the Air Force’s only F-35 Lightning II Intelligence Formal Training Unit course, June 24, on Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.The formal course combines fifth-generation fighter-specific and general intelligence academics applicable to the F-35 and the low

  • F-35s gas up on fly

    F-35 Lightning II fighter pilots from the 61st Fighter Squadron connected with Airmen from the Arizona Air National Guard's 161st Air Refueling Wing June 5 to practice air-to-air refueling.The 161st ARW is right down the road in Phoenix and provides a valuable service to Luke Air Force Base and its