F-35A deliveries begin to Eielson's second F-35A squadron

摘要

DELIVERIES OF the F-35A Lightning Ⅱ to the 355th Fighter Squadron (FS) 'Fighting Falcons' have begun, marking the second combat-coded US Air Force (USAF) unit to receive the type at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. The 'Fighting Falcons' received its first two F-35As on the evening of April 29, when they flew in to Eielson from the factory in Fort Worth, Texas. These were 19-5534 'AK' (c/n AT-15, originally allocated 18-0015 for Turkey) and 19-5536 'AK' (c/n AT-17, originally allocated 18-0017 for Turkey). Both had originally been destined for the Turkish Air Force and were already on the production line when the US Government cancelled the Turkish F-35 contract in 2019, following which they were re-allocated for the USAF. A further two F-35As for the unit arrived at Eielson on May 12. These were 19-5535 'AK' (c/n AT-16, originally allocated 18-0016 for Turkey) and 19-5537 'AK' (c/n AT-18, originally allocated 18-0018 for Turkey).