Two state-of-the-art F-35 combat aircraft will be flown to Avalon, Victoria directly from their base in the United States where they are being used to train Australian pilots.

Australia first F-35A pilot, Squadron Leader Andrew Jackson, last week took his first flight in an F-35A aircraft at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, United States. The F-35A (commonly known as the Joint Strike Fighter) is intended meet Australia’s future air combat and strike needs, providing a networked force-multiplier effect in terms of situational awareness and combat effectiveness.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II or JSF is designed to be the most sophisticated multirole fighter ever built. It is currently undergoing testing and final development before being brought into service with a number of different Air Forces around the world. The F-35 combines advanced stealth designed with speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment, the F-35 delivers innovative capabilities to meet security needs for nations across the world.

The long awaited and, at times controversial, introduction of the 72 F-35A Lightning II aircraft (Joint Strike Fighter or JSF) into the RAAF has just taken a significant and symbolic step forward. The first Australian F-35 pilot has commence flight training at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, United States.