First student naval aviator selected to fly F-35B

1st Lt. Taylor Zehrung from the U.S. Marine Corps is the first student naval aviator to be selected to fly the F-35B after earning his wings of gold.

1st Lt. Taylor Zehrung
Photo: USMC

“1st Lt. Zehrung will be the first to go directly from flight school to the F-35B Fleet Replacement Squadron,” said Lt. Col. Robert George, Commanding Officer of VT-22.

Until today, all current F-35 pilots are experienced Marines selected from operational units flying other fleet aircraft.