F-35 • Page 2 of 24

Feb- 2025 -

4 February

Air

Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 (MWSS-271), based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, train with Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) artisans and engineers to learn proper crane lifting techniques for the F-35B Lightning II aircraft. The crane lift was one phase of a three-day training event that simulated the recovery of a downed F-35 with collapsed front landing gear. FRCE assisted the squadron by providing access to a stripped-down F-35 airframe used for training and testing at the depot, which allowed the Marines to practice recovering a damaged F-35 without risking harm to an operational aircraft.

US Navy, Marines Complete Downed F-35 Salvage Training in North Carolina

The US Navy and Marine Corps have completed live training to recover a downed F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft at Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina.

Jan- 2025 -

29 January

Air

Joe Saballa

USAF F-35 Fighter Jet Crashes in Alaska, Terrifying Moment Caught on Video

A US Air Force F-35 fighter jet crashed on the runway at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska on Tuesday, but the pilot miraculously survived.

17 January

Air

Norwegian F-35 fighter jet powered by synthetic aviation turbine fuels.

Giulia Bernacchi

Norway Flies First F-35 Fighter Jets Using Synthetic Aviation Turbine Fuels

Norwegian F-35 fighter jets have completed their first flight using synthetic aviation turbine fuels at Ørland Air Station.

Dec- 2024 -

26 December

Air

A Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft arrives at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. *** Local Caption *** Exercise Lightning Ferry 24 was conducted during November and December 2024, culminating with delivery of the final F-35A Lightning II aircraft to be acquired by the Air Force at RAAF Base Williamtown. The aircraft travelled from Nellis Air Force Base, in the United States of America, supported by Air Forces KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft from No 33 Squadron, and a C-17A Globemaster III from No 36 Squadron. Australia has now received all of the F -35A Lightning II fleet.

Rojoef Manuel

Australian Air Force Accepts Final F-35A Jets

The Royal Australian Air Force has taken delivery of its last nine of 72 F-35A Lightning II combat jets procured as part of a program launched in 2010.

23 December

DOD Contracts

Joe Saballa

Lockheed Lands $11.8B US Military Deal for 145 F-35 Fighter Jets

Lockheed Martin has secured a nearly $12-billion contract to produce 145 F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets for the US military and its international allies.

16 December

Air

Inder Singh Bisht

Leonardo UK to Provide Missile-Luring EW Decoys for US F-35s

The US Navy has awarded Leonardo UK a $33-million contract to supply its BriteCloud 218 Active Expendable Decoys (AEDs) for the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft.

11 December

Air

Dutch F-35 escorts a Russian Antonov An-72 Coaler transport aircraft over the Baltic Sea. Photo: Netherlands Ministry of Defence

Rojoef Manuel

Dutch F-35s Intercept Three Russian Military Planes Over Baltic Sea

Two Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35 fighter jets have detected three Russian military aircraft over the Baltic Sea and escorted them over international waters, the Dutch Ministry of Defence revealed.

10 December

Air