Fifth Gen formation

An F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter from the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and an F-22A Raptor from the 325th Fighter Wing at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., soar over the Emerald Coast Sept. 19. This was the first time the two fifth generation fighters have flown together for the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy T. Lock)

Fifth Gen formation

An F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter from the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and an F-22A Raptor from the 325th Fighter Wing at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., soar over the Emerald Coast Sept. 19. This was the first time the two fifth generation fighters have flown together for the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy T. Lock)

Marine F-35 variant reaches 100th sortie milestone

Marine Corps Maj. Tye Bachmann, of the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 501, completed the 100th sortie of the F-35B variant of the Lightning II Aug. 31 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The flight was a lineup of six aircraft returning to the skies on the first day of flying after Hurricane Isaac. The 100th B variant sortie is another marker that the F-35 team is progressing forward in sortie generations and maintenance training as the aircraft systems continue to mature. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Karen Roganov)

Marine F-35 variant reaches 100th sortie milestone

Marine Corps Maj. Tye Bachmann, of the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 501, completed the 100th sortie of the F-35B variant of the Lightning II Aug. 31 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The flight was a lineup of six aircraft returning to the skies on the first day of flying after Hurricane Isaac. The 100th B variant sortie is another marker that the F-35 team is progressing forward in sortie generations and maintenance training as the aircraft systems continue to mature. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Karen Roganov)

Stored Lightning

An Airman from the 33rd Maintenance Squadron directs an Air Force F-35A Lightning II into the 58th Fighter Squadron hangar at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Aug. 27. The 33rd Fighter Wing’s joint strike fighters were moved into hangars in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Isaac. The 58th hangar held nine A models, while the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 501 hangar stored the 10 B models. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Stored Lightning

An Airman from the 33rd Maintenance Squadron pulls an Air Force F-35A Lightning II off the flightline and into a hangar at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Aug. 27. The 33rd Fighter Wing’s joint strike fighters were moved into hangars in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Isaac. The 58th Fighter Squadron hangar held nine A models, while the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 501 hangar stored the 10 B models. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)