Lt. Col. Jared Santos became the first U.S. Air Force pilot to reach 1,000 flying hours in the F-35A on Oct. 22.
388th Fighter Wing pilot, Lt. Col. Jared Santos, became the first Air Force pilot to reach 1,000 flying hours in the F-35A Lightning II after a training sortie at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Oct. 22, 2020. Santos, a former F-15 and F-18 pilot, began flying the F-35 at Eglin AFB, and has been assigned to the 388th Fighter Wing for two years. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw)
New reports from Greece say that the United States has agreed to sell 20 F-35A fighters to Greece, six of them will be jets that were originally ordered by Turkey but not delivered.
Capt. Andrew “Dojo” Olson, F-35 Demonstration Team pilot and commander performs a high-speed pass in an F-35A Lightning II during the Arctic Lightning Airshow July 13, 2019, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The aerial demonstration consists of 16 maneuvers that fully showcase the capabilities of the F-35A Lightning II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexander Cook)
Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) AWACS qualified Aerospace Controllers (AECs) and Aerospace Control Operators (AC Ops) are now able to wear a new ‘wings’ badge that was officially rolled out on Oct. 23.
The first AC-130W gunship to record a combat kill, # 1303, has been flown to its final home at Sheppard AFB, Texas whereby it will become a ground instructional trainer for ammo and armament students in the 363rd Training Squadron as well as crew chief student in the 362nd Training Squadron.
An AC-130W Stinger II gunship, Tail No. 1303, takes off on the runway at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., for its final flight prior to retirement Oct. 19, 2020. As a gunship, Tail No. 1303 made its claim to fame by being the first gunship to record a combat kill on Feb. 9, 2011. It then went on to achieve another milestone by having the distinction of being the first 105mm cannon-installed whiskey to confirm a 105mm kill in December of 2016. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Luke Kitterman)