Refueling the fight during Red Flag 21-2 at Nellis An F-35 Lightning II assigned to the 62nd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., flies over the Nevada Test and Training Range during Red Flag 21-2, March 18, 2021. Red Flag began in 1975 as an aerial combat exercise but has evolved to include war-fighting across air, space and cyberspace domains. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Rufus)
190228-N-SS390-0066 LEMOORE, Calif. (February 28, 2019) An F-35C Lightning II aircraft from Naval Air Station Lemoore flown by Maj. Michael Fisher and Capt John Taliaferro from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125 “Rough Raiders” fly in formation over the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range after completing a training mission (NASL), Calif. VFA-125 & VFA-147 are both located at NASL, Calif. VFA-125 is the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) for the F-35C Lightning II. VFA-147 is U.S. Navy’s first operational F-35C squadron and are attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Two. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Darin Russell/Released)
1st F-35A refueling mission Lt. Col. Eric Smith, 58th Fighter Squadron director of operations, connects his F-35A Lightning II with a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 155th Air Refueling Wing, Neb., during the first joint strike fighter air-to-air refueling accomplished by the 33rd Fighter Wing April 11. Smith also used the flight to maintain his refueling currency and proficiencies received while certifying to be the Air Force’s first F-35A pilot last summer. The 33rd FW is responsible for F-35 A/B/C pilot and maintainer training for the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and in the future, at least eight coalition partners. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Casey Smith)
A flash of Lightning An F-35A Lightning II assigned to Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., prepares to be refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 161st Air Refueling Wing during a local sortie, Sept. 16, 2022. The 161st ARW operates out of Goldwater Air National Guard Base, conducting regular air refueling missions with their regional partners at Luke AFB. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. James A. Richardson Jr.)
180626-N-ZB537-071 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 26, 2018) Navy Lt. William Bowen, left, an F-35 Pax River Integrated Test Force pilot assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23, conducts an advanced aerial refueling control law test in an F-35C Lightning II with an F/A-18, June 26, 2018. (U.S. Navy photo by Dane Wiedmann/Released)
Probe light test Caption: A U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II is drogue refueled by a KC-10A during a training mission near Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, April 10, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Kelly)
Night Time on the Flight Line A 33rd Fighter Wing F-35A Lightning II takes off April 28, 2021, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The F-35A engine produces 43,000 pounds of thrust and consists of a three-stage fan, a six-stage compressor, an annular combustor, a single-stage high-pressure turbine and a two-stage low-pressure turbine. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Heather LeVeille)
231101-F-GC720-8753 A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lighting II assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron takes off to participate in Atlantic Trident 2023 at RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, Nov.1, 2023. Atlantic Trident demonstrates how the integration of fifth-generation assets in the region play a role in increasing air superiority in the European Theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Seleena Muhammad-Ali)
Northern Lightning A 33rd Fighter Wing F-35A Lightning II lands during the Northern Lightning exercise at Volk Field, Wisconsin, Aug. 13, 2019. Northern Lightning brings together Air Force, Air National Guard, Navy and Marine Corps units to train in an environment that replicates today’s battlespace with current and future weapons systems. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Leveille)
220508-N-VI910-1487 PHILIPPINE SEA (May 8, 2022) An F-35C Lightning II, assigned to the “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, prepares to launch from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) while the ship is underway in the Philippine Sea. Long range maritime strikes capabilities such as these allow the U.S. Navy to find, fix, and target well beyond typical organic sensor capabilities across the Indo-Pacific. This capability, among others, serves as a deterrent to aggressive or malign actors and supports a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Javier Reyes)
240131-N-EQ851-2162 PHILIPPINE SEA (Jan. 31, 2024) An F-35C Lightning II from the “Warhawks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97 launches off the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) during Multi-Large Deck Event (MLDE), Jan. 31, 2024. The event comprising Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is designed to advance combined readiness between Japan and U.S. maritime forces while simultaneously demonstrating our commitment to our partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adina Phebus)
240508-N-VX022-1202 ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 8, 2024) Lt. Cole Drechsler, from Temecula, California, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, takes off from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in an F-35C Lightning II in the Atlantic Ocean, May 8, 2024. George Washington is deployed as part of Southern Seas 2024 which seeks to enhance capability, improve interoperability, and strengthen maritime partnerships with countries throughout the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility through joint, multinational, and interagency exchanges and cooperation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class August Clawson)
220601-N-MM912-1068 PHILIPPINE SEA (June 1, 2022) An F-35C Lightning II, assigned to the “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, makes an arrested landing on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), June 1, 2022. Abraham Lincoln Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability through alliances and partnerships while serving as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael Singley)
220420-N-VI910-2072 PHILIPPINE SEA (April 20, 2022) An F-35C Lightning II, assigned to the “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, makes an arrested landing on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability through alliances and partnerships while serving as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Javier Reyes)
Goodbye Edwards, hello Nellis An F-35 Lightning II is parked prior to its final flight out of Edwards Air Force Base, California, Oct. 7. Six F-35s recently left Edwards and were reassigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. (U.S. Air Force photo by Giancarlo Casem)
190227-N-SB520-190 LEMOORE, Calif. (Feb. 27, 2019) Ten F-35C Lightning II aircraft assigned to the Argonauts of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 sit on the flight line, Feb. 27, 2019 at Naval Air Station Lemoore. Vice Adm. DeWolfe Miller, commander of Naval Air Forces, and Lt. Gen. Steven R. Rudder, U.S. Marine Corps deputy commandant for aviation, jointly announced, Feb. 28, 2019, that the F-35C met all requirements and achieved initial operating capability. Achieving initial operating capability means the F-35C is available to be used in deployed environments as requested by combatant commanders. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Manuel Tiscareno/Released)
Northern Lightning Several 33rd Fighter Wing F-35A Lightning IIs taxi down the Volk Field, Wisconsin. runway, during the Northern Lightning exercise, Aug. 13, 2019. Northern Lightning is a joint total force exercise that provides tactical-level, high-end training for current and future weapons platforms. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Leveille)
151006-N-KK394-057 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 6, 2015) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Keyonnia Cook signals to an F-35C Lightning II carrier variant joint strike fighter assigned to the Salty Dogs of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). The F-35C Lightning II Pax River Integrated Test Force is conducting follow-on sea trials. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Anderson W. Branch/Released)
Mirror image Capt. Melanie Kluesner, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team pilot and commander, taxis off the runway after being certified on her aerial demonstration by the 388th Wing commander at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Feb. 22, 2024. Upon wing commander certification, the F-35 Demo Team pilot is required to complete the Air Combat Command Heritage Flight Training Course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kaitlyn Ergish)
171210-N-SA173-013 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Dec. 10, 2017) An F-35C Lightning II assigned to the “Rough Raiders” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125 sits on the flight deck prior to flight operations aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Juan Cubano/Released)