Ebbing Air National Guard Base (EANG) in Fort Smith, Arkansas, witnessed a significant moment on Jul. 2nd, with the reactivation of the 85th Fighter Group and the 57th Fighter Squadron. These units, previously stationed in Iceland, are poised to embark on a new mission – training fighter pilots from allied nations on the F-35 stealth fighter jet.
The ceremony introduced Col. Nicholas Ihde as the incoming commander of the 85th Fighter Group, while Lt. Col. Jonathan Hassell will lead the 57th Fighter Squadron. Col. Ihde revealed the training program’s timeline, with Poland taking the lead as the first nation to participate. Polish pilots are expected to arrive in September for initial flight simulations. The program anticipates the arrival of F-35 jets in December, with training flights commencing that same month.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders acknowledged the vital role of leadership in ensuring the program’s success. She praised Col. Ihde and Lt. Col. Hassell, highlighting their extensive experience as crucial assets in establishing a world-class training program for F-35 pilots at Ebbing.
Poland will be the first nation to participate in the international training program at Ebbing this fall, arriving with their F-35s. They will be followed by Finland in fall 2025, as Finland also deploys its F-35s to Ebbing for pilot training. Germany joins the program in fall 2026, sending its pilots to Ebbing to train on the F-35. Singapore’s participation will begin in fall 2026 as well, with a focus on F-35 pilot training, aligning with the other countries. However, Singapore will further expand its presence in summer 2027 by deploying F-16 fighter jets from Luke Air Force Base. This unique inclusion will mark the only instance of a non-F-35 aircraft participating in the program thus far. Switzerland is the final nation scheduled to arrive, rounding out the list in summer 2027 with their fleet of F-35s.
Col. Ihde acknowledged the unique set of challenges associated with this program. These include integrating active-duty personnel into a National Guard base operating on a civilian airfield. Additionally, the program will navigate the complexities of training foreign military personnel while collaborating with a local community that hasn’t hosted fighter jets in over a decade.
Governor Sanders, however, remained optimistic, focusing on the program’s potential economic benefits. She projected over a billion dollars in construction spending alone, with an annual economic impact exceeding $450 million for the Arkansas River Valley and the entire state.
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