The U.S. Air Force (USAF) has received its 100th Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. This fighter was designated AF-100 to mark this historic event.
The fifth generation stealth fighter arrived at Luke Air Force Base (AFB) in Arizona, which currently has a fleet of over 40 F-35s, including those destined for partner nations such as Australia and Norway.
"This marks a milestone and shows the fact that the F-35 program has continued to grow, progress and support initial operational capability," said Brig. Gen. Brook Leonard, Commander, 56th Fighter Wing.
"It is also a 'scare factor' for our enemies that we are able to produce such an incredible platform at such a high production rate and that it's getting out in the field in larger and larger numbers."
The base, which received its first F-35 in March 2014 and developed the training and tactics for the F-35 program, recently activated its third F-35 unit, the 63rd Fighter Squadron.
The mission of the 56th Fighter Wing is to train F-35 and F-16 fighter pilots. As part of Air Education and Training Command, and home to 24 squadrons with both F-16 and F-35A Lightning II aircraft, the 56th is the largest fighter wing in the USAF. It graduates more than 70 F-35 pilots, 300 F-16 pilots and 300 air control professionals annually.
"Last year we began US Air Force and partner pilot training at Luke AFB in Arizona, where a blend of US and partner instructor pilots are helping to train US Air Force and other partner pilots," said Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan, F-35 Joint Program executive officer.
The F-35A, a single-seat, single-engine fighter aircraft, is designed to perform ground attack and air defense missions.
The conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) F-35A will replace the USAF's ageing fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons and the A-10 Thunderbolt II.
Luke Air Force Base is a major training base of the Air Education and Training Command. It will house over 140 F-35A Lightning IIs and currently houses 170 F-16s.
The host command at Luke is the 56th Fighter Wing under Air Education and Training Command's 19th Air Force. The wing consists of four groups, 27 squadrons, including six training squadrons.