Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Ark. -- The U.S. Air Force’s 85th Fighter Group celebrated its Initial Operational Capability during a ceremony May 9, 2025. The event also marked the graduation of the first Polish Air Force pilots trained on the F-35A Lightning II platform under the Foreign Military Sales program.
The 85th FG, a geographically separated unit of the 33rd Fighter Wing, was activated in July 2024 to lead the international F-35 training mission at Ebbing ANGB. As the U.S. Air Force’s newest hub for allied fighter training, the fighter group hosts partner-nation pilots, developing them into highly trained warfighters.
“Today’s milestone reflects the incredible teamwork between Airmen, allies, and the local Fort Smith community,” said Col. Dave Skalicky, 33rd Fighter Wing commander. “The 33rd Fighter Wing has a legacy of forging the future of combat airpower, and now, through the 85th Fighter Group, we’re extending that legacy by training allied pilots who will fly shoulder-to-shoulder with us in future conflicts. This is deterrence in action.”
Poland became the first of seven partner nations expected to send F-35 students through Ebbing’s training pipeline by 2030. Finland, Germany, Switzerland, and Singapore, who will also relocate 12 F-16s from Luke AFB to Ebbing ANGB, are among those slated to follow.
Col. Nick Ihde, 85th FG commander, has overseen the unit’s stand-up from its early planning stages through its current operational phase.
“Standing up a fighter group is the easy part of this project,” said Ihde. “Building an international training center, getting requirements to align, and training and teaching with allies like Poland makes it truly meaningful. The relationships built amongst these countries will benefit global security for decades to come. The 85th FG is ready to deliver the finest F-35 training tailored to our partners' needs and rooted in trust, precision, and interoperability.”
More than 200 guests attended the ceremony, including senior defense officials, industry partners, local civic leaders, and international dignitaries. Prior to the event, attendees toured mobile flight simulators, viewed static displays of Polish F-35s and Singaporean F-16s, and engaged with U.S. Air Force instructors and maintainers.
This IOC milestone represents the culmination of years of planning and coordination, including the delivery of Polish F-35s in December 2024 and subsequent flying operations starting in early 2025.
“For Poland, today is all about achieving an operational milestone and investing in our shared defense,” said Maj. Gen. Ireneusz Nowak, Inspector of the Polish Air Force. “Training here in the U.S. builds more than skills; it builds trust, interoperability, and a deep bond with our American counterparts. We are proud to be the first F-35 partner to reach this phase at Ebbing.”
As Ebbing ANGB transitions from concept to cornerstone of international F-35 training, the success of this mission also depends on the enduring bonds of the local community.
“The State of Arkansas and the city of Fort Smith is honored to stand alongside our military partners as Ebbing becomes a global center for allied airpower,” said Robert Ator, Secretary for Veteran and Military Affairs. “The activation of the 85th Fighter Group and today’s IOC milestone are monumental achievements in securing global deterrence and speaks volumes about the partnership of the state, community, and the U.S. Air Force. We are and will continue to be unrelenting in the support of the mission and the Airmen and international partners that make Ebbing the global center of excellence for F-35 FMS training.”