F-35 Lightning II JSF Timeline

Mar 2012: A F-35A tookoff from Eglin AFB for the first 90 minute training sortie. However 15 minutes into the flight, F-16 chase pilots observed a small amount of fluid venting from the F-35 aircraft. The pilot, following standard operating procedures, returned the aircraft safely back to the base after an approximate 20 minute flight.

Feb 2012: Officials at the US Air Force Aeronautical Systems Center issued a Military Flight Release (MFR) that will allow the F-35A Lightning II fighter to begin initial operations at the joint training center at Eglin AFB. Trainee pilots will be able to fly the F-35, beginning with the Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL).

Jul 2011: The first pair of production Lightning II aircraft deployed this week to join the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB. The aircraft, known as AF-9 and AF-8, will be used to assist training F-35 pilots and maintainers who begin coursework at the base’s new F-35 Integrated Training Center by late 2011. Over the lifetime of the program, a total of 59 F-35s will compose the fighter fleet at Eglin AFB.

Feb 2011: The first production model of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II made its inaugural flight 25 February 2011.

The 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, preparing for an anticipated 2,200 students a year and 900 on campus at any given time. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program Air Education and Training Command is a fully-integrated F-35 pilot-and-maintenance training center includes pilot and maintenance training equipment, support, systems and facilities for all three aircraft variants. The center will be home to a full spectrum of the latest courseware, electronic classrooms, simulators and flight events ensuring superior training for the next generation of pilots and maintainers

Updated On: 12.12.11