The U.S. Air Force's Air Logistics Complex (ALC) at Hill Air Force Base, Ogden, Utah, hosted a ceremony Friday marking the arrival of the first Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft to a depot facility.
The aircraft ferried from Nellis AFB, Nev., and will be the first Air Force F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant used in the Block 2B Operational Testing & Evaluation (OT&E) program in 2015. The aircraft will receive a series of structural and systems modifications at Ogden to enhance critical capabilities needed during OT&E testing. This marks the second depot opened this year. In July, the U.S. Marines welcomed the first F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing variant at Cherry Point, N.C.
The Ogden ALC provides logistics, support, maintenance, and distribution for the F-35 Lightning II, F-22 Raptor, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and A-10 Thunderbolt. In addition, it maintains the C-130 Hercules, T-38 Talon, and other weapon systems, as well as the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. The ALC employs more than 7,500 military, civilian and contract personnel at Hill AFB.