Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas is preparing to welcome a multinational contingent of fighter jets as it gears up to host the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) pilot training program for the F-35 Lightning II. The base is currently undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation to accommodate the program, with training expected to begin later this year.
SMSGT DENNIS L. BRAMBL, USAF, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
According to a newly released schedule, a total of five countries will be participating in the F-35 pilot training program at Ebbing over the next few years:
- Poland: Leading the pack, Poland is expected to arrive in Fall 2024 with their F-35s, marking the official launch of the international training program at Ebbing.
- Finland: Following closely behind, Finland is slated to deploy its F-35s to Ebbing in Fall 2025 for pilot training.
- Germany: German pilots will have their chance to train on the F-35 at Ebbing starting in Fall 2026.
- Singapore: Singapore’s participation will be unique as they plan to send their aircrews in two phases:
The first deployment in Fall 2026 will involve F-35s for pilot training, aligning with the other countries.
Singapore is also scheduled to expand its presence further in Summer 2027 with F-16 fighter jets from Luke Air Force Base, marking the only instance of a non-F-35 aircraft participating in the program thus far. - Switzerland: Rounding out the list of participating nations, Switzerland is expected to arrive at Ebbing in Summer 2027 with their fleet of F-35s.
The influx of international aircraft will necessitate the ongoing base renovations at Ebbing to ensure compatibility with the various national protocols and maintenance requirements. While the exact details of the training curriculum haven’t been disclosed, this program is expected to bolster allied airpower capabilities and foster closer military cooperation between the participating nations.
For more information, hit the Source below