Six F-35As from the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base have arrived at Mountain Home Air Force Base on Feb. 8 for the first simulated deployment test.
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II, also known as Joint Strike Fighter, taxis after landing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Feb. 8, 2016. The F-35, visiting from Edwards Air Force Base, California, will be part of an initial operating capability test at the nearby range complex. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jeremy L. Mosier/Released)
Three key initial operational capability mission sets – suppression of enemy air defenses, close air support and air interdiction – will be tested.
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II, also known as Joint Strike Fighter, taxis after landing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Feb. 8, 2016. The F-35, visiting from Edwards Air Force Base, California, will be part of an initial operating capability test at the nearby range complex. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jeremy L. Mosier/Released)Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II, also known as Joint Strike Fighters, taxi after landing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Feb. 8, 2016. The F-35, visiting from Edwards Air Force Base, California, will be part of an initial operating capability test at the nearby range complex. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Samuel Morse/RELEASED)Crew chiefs from the 53rd Test and Evaluations Group greet aircrew after the first three F-35A Lightning IIs arrive at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Feb. 8, 2016. The 53rd TEG will conduct various training scenarios out of Mountain Home AFB to assess deployment capability of the F-35A. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jeremy L. Mosier/Released)
