ֱ

Flying High for More Than 500,000 Hours

F-35 Lightning 2 Logo
Lockheed Martin Logo
Search Icon
Search Icon
News

Flying High for More Than 500,000 Hours

ֱ

The F-35 fleet has surpassed 500,000 flight hours across global operations, demonstrating the program’s progress and continued maturity.

“The 500,000 F-35 flight hours milestone represents the steadfast dedication of the joint government, military, and industry teams to develop, produce and sustain the F-35,” said Bridget Lauderdale, vice president and general manager of the F-35 Lightning II program. “Our team continues to engineer cutting-edge and affordable aircraft capabilities for customers worldwide. Today, the F-35 fleet stands ready whenever and wherever the mission calls.”

With an unparalleled safety record, the F-35 is transforming the way our men and women in uniform conduct operations around the globe. As , the F-35 gives our pilots an advantage over any adversary, enabling them to execute their mission and come home safely.

Since the first flight of AA-1 in 2006, more than 780 F-35s have been delivered and are operating in nine nations. The F-35 is currently active at 25 bases and on nine ships across the globe, cementing it as versatile and capable in any environment. Its has made it an asset to the United States, allies and partner nations, and it will continue to perform with excellence for many flight hours to come.

Here’s a look back at some of the dynamic imagery captured over the years. Click to download the imagery. 

AA-1, the first F-35A Lightning II test aircraft, takes flight for the first time in December 2006. Lockheed Martin photo by David Drais.
The first Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II arrives at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., accompanied by three United States Air Force jets in December 2015. Lockheed Martin photo by Darin Russell.
AF-3, an F-35 Lightning II test aircraft, conducts training exercises over the Nevada desert in April 2015. Lockheed Martin photo by Chad Bellay.
CF-3, the F-35 Lightning II Navy variant, approaches the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in October 2015 during carrier qualifications for the F-35C variant. Lockheed Martin photo by Andy Wolfe.
Two F-35B Lightning IIs assigned to Royal Air Force Fairford, England, complete a refueling mission July 2016. Photo courtesy UK Ministry of Defense.
Two F-35C Lightning IIs, attached to the “Argonauts” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore, fly in formation. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon E. Renfroe.
An F-35C Lightning II, attached to Commander, Joint Strike Fighter Wing, VFA 147, completes a training flight over Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. on Feb. 1, 2019. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon E. Renfroe.
U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning IIs assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, land on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Patrick Crosley.
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 4th Fighter Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, flies over Southwestern France May 2021. The flight was a part of the Atlantic Trident 21 exercise: a joint, multinational exercise involving service members from the U.S., France and the United Kingdom. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Cook.
An F-35A piloted by U.S. Air Force Maj. Kristin "BEO" Wolfe, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team commander and pilot, dominated the skies over Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, at the Arctic Lightning Air Show, July 31, 2021. Lockheed Martin photo by Mikaela Maschmeier.
An F-35B transforms and performs a hover manuever over the crowd at the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show, Sept. 25, 2021. Lockheed Martin photo by Todd McQueen.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Kristin "BEO" Wolfe, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team commander and pilot, flies during a demonstration rehearsal at Hill Air Force Utah, Jan. 20, 2021. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Barley.
U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 495th Fighter Squadron, returns to Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, after concluding a training exercise with NATO allies, Feb. 22, 2022. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Rachel Maxwell.
Four F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 355th Fighter Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, fly in a formation during a routine mission over the Indo-Pacific region, March 4, 2022. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Yosselin Perla.

Share Icon Share to Twitter Share to Facebook