33 FW

(From left) Col. Andrew Toth, the 33rd Fighter Wing commander and Terry Yonkers, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and logistics, listen as Staff Sgt. Anthony Stewart, the 58th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, describes the capabilities of the F-35 Joint Strike Air Force Base, Fla., April 20. Yonkers was at Eglin participating in Earth Day events and touring the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Spaits)

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)

1st operational refuel

An F-35A Lightning II from the 33rd Fighter Wing soars alongside a KC-135R Stratotanker and an F-16 Fighting Falcon during the unit’s first joint strike fighter air-to-air refuel mission April 11. Lt. Col. Eric Smith, 58th Fighter Squadron director of operations and first Air Force qualified F-35 pilot, flew the mission. 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. Casey Smith)

1st F-35A refueling mission

Lt. Col. Eric Smith, 58th Fighter Squadron director of operations, connects his F-35A Lightning II with a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 155th Air Refueling Wing, Neb., during the first joint strike fighter air-to-air refueling accomplished by the 33rd Fighter Wing April 11. Smith also used the flight to maintain his refueling currency and proficiencies received while certifying to be the Air Force’s first F-35A pilot last summer. 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. Casey Smith)

Fill'er up

James Murr, a seven-year member of the 96th Petroleum Oil and Lubricants flight, refuels the F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter’s 18,000 pound internal fuel tanks after its sortie at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., March 20. POL is responsible for delivering fuel to all aircraft on base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Fill'er up

Staff Sgt. Jason Anderson, of the 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, connects the fuel hose to the F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter to refuel the aircraft after its sortie at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., March 20. The 33rd Fighter Wing receives fuel for their aircraft from the 96th Petroleum Oil and Lubricants flight, part of the 96th Air Base Wing. POL is responsible for delivering fuel to all aircraft on base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)