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 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.