Night Strike

The first night flight in the history of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Program was completed Jan. 18 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The mission consisted of a series of straight-in approaches in twilight and darkness. The pilot also performed an evaluation of the F-35's cockpit lighting which Ward called, "the best he's ever seen." The testing will clear the way for night refueling and formation testing later this year. (Lockheed Martin photo) (Lockheed Martin photos by Tom Reynolds and Darin Russell)

F-35B arrival

The Marine Corp’s newest aircraft, the F-35B Lightning II joint strike fighter arrives at its new home at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The newest aircraft in the Department of Defense inventory belongs to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 501. The Marines of VMFAT-501 received two F-35Bs Jan. 11. Both aircraft were escorted in by Marine F-18 Hornets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Marine F-35B arrives at Eglin

Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Smith, a maintainer with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 501, marshals in the first Marine variant F-35B Lightning II joint strike fighter to arrive at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Jan. 11. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chrissy Cuttita)

Marine F-35B arrives at Eglin

Marines of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 501 and their families came out to see the arrival of the first F-35B Lightning II joint strike fighter to its new home at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Marines of VMFAT-501 received two F-35Bs Jan. 11. The first one was escorted by Marine F-18 Hornets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chrissy Cuttita.)

Marine F-35B arrives at Eglin

Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Smith, a maintainer with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 501, marshals in the first Marine variant F-35B Lightning II joint strike fighter to arrive at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Jan. 11. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Marine F-35B arrives at Eglin

Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Smith, a maintainer with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 501, recovered the first Marine variant F-35B Lightning II joint strike fighter to arrive at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Jan. 11. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)