First batch of Israeli pilots to fly the F-35 will head to U.S. next month

Four Israeli fighter pilots assigned to fly the F-35 will be traveling to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona next month.

Photo: Israeli Air Force

The four will be joined by another three people much later and eventually a total of 12 pilots would have completed their training in the U.S. by middle of next year.

The training will be ground-based and the men will only fly the real aircraft back in Israel. The first two jets are slated to be delivered this December.