First F-35B sortie

Marine Sgt. Eric Spence, a plane captain with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron-501, marshals the first F-35B sortie May 22. The goal for Marines was to start local area operations and conventional flights, beginning the process of gradually expanding the envelope to short takeoffs and vertical landings and more complex aerial training.The historic flight at Eglin Air Force Base was airborne during the Marine Corps' 100th year of aviation, two months after 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing officially introduced the service's fifth generation fighter to the world at the 33rd Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Karen Roganov)

First F-35B sortie

Marine Sgt. Eric Spence, a plane captain with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron-501, and Marine Maj. Joseph Bachmann prepare life support equipment for their first F-35B sortie May 22. The goal for Marines was to start local area operations and conventional flights, beginning the process of gradually expanding the envelope to short takeoffs and vertical landings and more complex aerial training.The historic flight at Eglin Air Force Base was airborne during the Marine Corps' 100th year of aviation, two months after 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing officially introduced the service's fifth generation fighter to the world at the 33rd Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Karen Roganov)

Dropping bombs

An F-16 from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, releases a Guided Bomb Unit-31 over the Utah test range May 17 as part of Combat Hammer, a weapons system evaluation program. Aircraft from many different squadrons were on hand to participate in the air-to-ground evaluation conducted by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron, located at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The squadron hosts evaluations at Hill, Tyndall and Eglin each year, assessing weapon system performance, reliability, capabilities, and limitations in realistic combat scenarios against representative real-world targets. (Courtesy photo.)

Dropping bombs

An F-16 from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, releases a Guided Bomb Unit-24 over the Utah test range May 17 as part of Combat Hammer, a weapons system evaluation program. Aircraft from many different squadrons were on hand to participate in the air-to-ground evaluation conducted by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron, located at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The squadron hosts evaluations at Hill, Tyndall and Eglin each year, assessing weapon system performance, reliability, capabilities, and limitations in realistic combat scenarios against representative real-world targets. (Courtesy photo.)

JSF formation

Two F-35A Lightning IIs from the 33rd Fighter Wing soar over Eglin Air Force Base's range during the unit’s first joint strike fighter formation flight April 10. Lt. Col. Eric Smith, 58th Fighter Squadron director of operations, flew the lead aircraft while Marine Maj Joseph Bachmann, Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 aircraft maintenance officer, flew wingman. The pilots, both first in their service qualified to fly the 5th generation aircraft, were validating pilot syllabus objectives in preparation for future training. The 33rd FW is responsible for F-35 A/B/C pilot and maintainer training for the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and in the future, at least eight coalition partners. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Ryan Seymour)

JSF formation

Two F-35A Lightning IIs from the 33rd Fighter Wing soar over Eglin Air Force Base's range during the unit’s first joint strike fighter formation flight April 10. Lt. Col. Eric Smith, 58th Fighter Squadron director of operations, flew the lead aircraft while Marine Maj Joseph Bachmann, Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 aircraft maintenance officer, flew wingman. The pilots, both first in their service qualified to fly the 5th generation aircraft, were validating pilot syllabus objectives in preparation for future training. The 33rd FW is responsible for F-35 A/B/C pilot and maintainer training for the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and in the future, at least eight coalition partners. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Ryan Seymour)