The single-ship aerial demonstration team will display the capabilities of the F-35A at approximately 20 performances during 2020 including the Utah Air Show.
The new pilot and team are in the process of being selected from the 388th Fighter Wing. The team, which is sponsored by Air Combat Command, previously fell under Air Education and Training Command and operated out of Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
The primary mission of the 388th Fighter Wing is to rapidly employ combat power with the F-35A worldwide in support of national defense. The 388th FW is currently the only combat-coded active duty F-35A wing in the Air Force.
“As the first Airmen to fly the F35A operationally every day and deploy it into combat, we know what it can do,” Col. Steven Behmer, 388th Fighter Wing commander, said. “We’re excited to be able to demonstrate that power, speed and maneuverability to audiences around the world.”
Airshows provide an extraordinary opportunity for the American public to experience up-close the F-35A’s capabilities and the skill of America’s Airmen.
The F-35, America’s newest fifth-generation fighter, provides game-changing stealth, interoperability and lethality. It can penetrate dangerous airspace that other aircraft cannot and destroy high-threat targets both in the air and on the ground.
