Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia – The F-35A Lightning II fifth generation fighter aircraft has been declared combat ready by Gen. Hawk Carlisle, the commander of Air Combat Command.
Carlisle lauded the aircraft’s performance, noting that the aircraft had met all key criteria for reaching initial operational capability (IOC): Airmen trained, manned, and equipped to conduct basic close air support, interdiction, and limited suppression/destruction of enemy air defenses in a contested environment with an operational squadron of 12-to-24 aircraft; the ability to deploy and conduct operational missions using program-of-record weapons and missions systems; and having all necessary logistics and operational elements in place.
“I am proud to announce this powerful new weapons system has achieved initial combat capability,” Carlisle said. “The F-35A will be the most dominant aircraft in our inventory, because it can go where our legacy aircraft cannot and provide the capabilities our commanders need on the modern battlefield.”
The F-35A is the latest addition to ACC’s fleet of deployable and fifth generation aircraft. It offers air superiority, interdiction, suppression of enemy air defenses and close air support as well as great command and control functions through fused sensors, and will provide pilots with situational awareness of the battlespace more extensive than any current single-seat platform.
“Bringing the F-35A to initial combat readiness is a testament to our phenomenal airmen and the outstanding support of the Joint Program Office and our enterprise partners. This important milestone for our fighter force ensures the United States, along with our allies and international partners, remains prepared to deter, deny, and defeat the full spectrum of growing threats around the globe," added Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James.
Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David Goldfein said, "Today's declaration of IOC is an important milestone on the road to achieving full warfighting capability for the F-35A.”
The 34th Fighter Squadron of the 388th Fighter Wing, based at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the service’s first operational F-35A squadron, having met all the established criteria for IOC including a successful June deployment to Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, and a series of eight-aircraft sorties held in mid-July. 34 FS Airmen will fly and maintain the F-35A alongside Air Force Reservists from Hill’s 419th Fighter Wing.
"We're very proud that the Air Force has declared us combat ready and we're prepared to take this aircraft wherever it's needed in support of our national defense," said Col. David Lyons, 388th Fighter Wing commander.
Those sentiments were echoed by Col. David Smith, 419 FW commander. “It's an honor to fly and maintain the F-35 with our active duty counterparts here at Hill,” Smith said. “Our units were the first to fly combat-ready F-16s nearly 40 years ago and we're very proud to have made history once again in bringing the Air Force's newest fighter jet
F-35 Program Executive Officer Lt. Gen. Chris Bogdan added, “The U.S. Air Force decision to make the 15 F-35As at Hill Air Force Base combat ready sends a simple and powerful message to America’s friends and foes alike – the F-35 can do its mission.
“The declaration of initial operational capability marks an important milestone as the Air Force will operate the largest F-35 fleet in the world with more than 1,700 aircraft.”
The U.S. Marine Corps achieved their IOC goal last year.
Jeff Babione, Lockheed Martin’s F-35 executive vice president and general manager, said, “We know many people, both military and civil service, across the Air Force played a vital role in achieving this day. Lockheed Martin and its industry partners along with the F-35 Joint Program Office, is proud to have played a supportive role in the Air Force achieving IOC. Whether supporting flight and weapons testing, pilot and maintainer training, aircraft production and modifications, or software development and deployment, our team is proud to partner with the Air Force as we continue to provide the F-35A Lightning II and its 5th Generation capabilities to the warfighter.
Mark Buongiorno, vice president, F135 Propulsion System and Military Engines for Pratt & Whitney noted, “We are confident in the F135 engine and the unparalleled capability it brings to the warfighter. Pratt & Whitney is proud to have supported the F-35 Joint Program Office and U.S. Air Force on their journey to this historic accomplishment.
Source: Lockheed Martin
Carlisle lauded the aircraft’s performance, noting that the aircraft had met all key criteria for reaching initial operational capability (IOC): Airmen trained, manned, and equipped to conduct basic close air support, interdiction, and limited suppression/destruction of enemy air defenses in a contested environment with an operational squadron of 12-to-24 aircraft; the ability to deploy and conduct operational missions using program-of-record weapons and missions systems; and having all necessary logistics and operational elements in place.
“I am proud to announce this powerful new weapons system has achieved initial combat capability,” Carlisle said. “The F-35A will be the most dominant aircraft in our inventory, because it can go where our legacy aircraft cannot and provide the capabilities our commanders need on the modern battlefield.”
The F-35A is the latest addition to ACC’s fleet of deployable and fifth generation aircraft. It offers air superiority, interdiction, suppression of enemy air defenses and close air support as well as great command and control functions through fused sensors, and will provide pilots with situational awareness of the battlespace more extensive than any current single-seat platform.
“Bringing the F-35A to initial combat readiness is a testament to our phenomenal airmen and the outstanding support of the Joint Program Office and our enterprise partners. This important milestone for our fighter force ensures the United States, along with our allies and international partners, remains prepared to deter, deny, and defeat the full spectrum of growing threats around the globe," added Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James.
Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David Goldfein said, "Today's declaration of IOC is an important milestone on the road to achieving full warfighting capability for the F-35A.”
The 34th Fighter Squadron of the 388th Fighter Wing, based at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the service’s first operational F-35A squadron, having met all the established criteria for IOC including a successful June deployment to Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, and a series of eight-aircraft sorties held in mid-July. 34 FS Airmen will fly and maintain the F-35A alongside Air Force Reservists from Hill’s 419th Fighter Wing.
"We're very proud that the Air Force has declared us combat ready and we're prepared to take this aircraft wherever it's needed in support of our national defense," said Col. David Lyons, 388th Fighter Wing commander.
Those sentiments were echoed by Col. David Smith, 419 FW commander. “It's an honor to fly and maintain the F-35 with our active duty counterparts here at Hill,” Smith said. “Our units were the first to fly combat-ready F-16s nearly 40 years ago and we're very proud to have made history once again in bringing the Air Force's newest fighter jet
F-35 Program Executive Officer Lt. Gen. Chris Bogdan added, “The U.S. Air Force decision to make the 15 F-35As at Hill Air Force Base combat ready sends a simple and powerful message to America’s friends and foes alike – the F-35 can do its mission.
“The declaration of initial operational capability marks an important milestone as the Air Force will operate the largest F-35 fleet in the world with more than 1,700 aircraft.”
The U.S. Marine Corps achieved their IOC goal last year.
Jeff Babione, Lockheed Martin’s F-35 executive vice president and general manager, said, “We know many people, both military and civil service, across the Air Force played a vital role in achieving this day. Lockheed Martin and its industry partners along with the F-35 Joint Program Office, is proud to have played a supportive role in the Air Force achieving IOC. Whether supporting flight and weapons testing, pilot and maintainer training, aircraft production and modifications, or software development and deployment, our team is proud to partner with the Air Force as we continue to provide the F-35A Lightning II and its 5th Generation capabilities to the warfighter.
Mark Buongiorno, vice president, F135 Propulsion System and Military Engines for Pratt & Whitney noted, “We are confident in the F135 engine and the unparalleled capability it brings to the warfighter. Pratt & Whitney is proud to have supported the F-35 Joint Program Office and U.S. Air Force on their journey to this historic accomplishment.
Source: Lockheed Martin
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