F-35A Rollout (as reported on WZEP AM 1460)
The world’s only 5th generation multi-role stealth fighter was rolled out to airmen, dignitaries and the public as Eglin Air Force Base is one of the first locations for the new supersonic jet. Friday morning, those attending were treated to a first look at the new bird, a fighter the military says will make sure America continues to dominate air power in war and peace.
The F-35 comes in several configurations and is being used by the Air Force, Navy and Marines as well as eight coalition partners. Representatives from all three branches were present and while Air Force Colonel Toth commands the 33d Fighter Wing, his second is a marine. The 33d is one of the first wings to get the new stealth jet and will support operations of the F-35 A/B/C Joint Strike Fighter through deployment, maintenance and training.
The 33d is known as the Nomads and were chosen to support the F-35 Lightning II. They will have about 2200 maintenance and 100 pilots coming through the unit each year. Not only is the makeup of the wing different than most Air Force, but the plane was brought to them in a very early stage of maturity with the members learning in the beginning of its deployment. The Lightning riders are currently using other aircraft to stay in shape and the top 1% will eventually become instructors. They are expected to help keep the U.S. Air Dominance for the next 30 to 50 years.
State Senator Don Gaetz noted the people of the community who lash together. He said the Eglin air personnel and their families helped to build the neighborhoods and communities. And the senator said those neighbors pray for the families when they are at war and comfort them when a fighter is lost. Gaetz also noted a son of Okaloosa, J.R. McDonald, has come home to work on the F-35.
The conventional takeoff and landing F-35 is a multi-role, supersonic, stealth fighter that has extraordinary acceleration and 9-g maneuverability and agility. One version can even take off vertically. The F-35 is designed to be a key net-enabling node in a system of systems, an information gatherer and transmitter in a vast network. Using sensors, processing power and flexible communications, the aircraft is expected to be an indispensable tool in future homeland defense, irregular warfare and major combat operations. It can fly at mach 1.6, 1200 miles and hour and can carry more than 18,000 pounds of weapons.
