Marines Take Delivery of First Production F-35Bs

摘要

On January 11 Eglin AFB, Florida welcomed its first production Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II short take-off and vertical landing aircraft. The aircraft BuNo 168057 (BF-06) departed earlier the same day from NAS Fort Worth JRB, where it was built, and was flown to Florida by Marine test pilot Major Joseph Bachmann. It was joined at Eglin later the same day by BuNo 168059 (BF-08), flown by Lieutenant Colonel Matt Taylor. Both aircraft have been assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501) - commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James B Wellons - of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, which is part of the multi-service F-35 Integrated Training Center (ITC) grouped under the US Air Force's 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB.