In a historic moment at Dannelly Field, Alabama, the 187th Fighter Wing proudly welcomed three state-of-the-art F-35A Lightning II fighter jets on Dec. 5, marking a significant leap in their capabilities. The Red Tails, as the unit is fondly known, now stand as the third Air National Guard unit to transition to the highly advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
Photo By 1st Lt. Michael Luangkhot
The arrival of the F-35A fighters is the culmination of over a decade of meticulous preparation and planning by the dedicated members of the 187th Fighter Wing and the state of Alabama. Lt. Col. Richard Peace, a seasoned pilot for the wing, expressed his honor, saying, “It is an honor to be able to fly one of the first F-35’s home. I have always looked up to the Tuskegee Airmen and can confidently say we will continue their legacy using the F-35’s.”
The Red Tails boast a storied lineage that traces back to the P-51 Mustang in World War II, and most recently, the F-16, which was phased out at the wing in 2022. Now, the F-35 Lightning II takes its place, charged with accelerating the Red Tail legacy into the future.
“The F-35 changes the role that the 187th serves in the United States’ application of airpower,” emphasized Maj. Bart Smith, a weapons instructor with the 187th Fighter Wing. “What truly separates the 187th apart will never be the aircraft, but the Airmen that equip, maintain, and fly it.”
In preparation for the arrival of the F-35A fighters, over 33 core cadre maintainers and support personnel have undergone rigorous training at external locations. Their mission is to bring back valuable knowledge and experience to train the members at the home station.
“They are highly skilled, highly trained maintainers that dedicated years of their lives and moved from Alabama to embed with F-35 guard or active-duty units to learn best practices,” noted Capt. Bryon Townsend, Director of Operations for the 187th Fighter Maintenance Group. “We are grateful for the work they have put into their training and expect them to serve as the leaders that our maintenance members will look to for guidance, expertise, and empowerment.”
The 187th Fighter Wing is poised to receive a total of 20 F-35s over the next five years, representing a substantial investment in the wing’s capabilities. Construction efforts, totaling approximately $112 million, will support the transition to this cutting-edge aircraft. The wing is projected to achieve full operational capability by 2026, cementing its place among the elite units equipped with the formidable F-35A Lightning II fighters.
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