Team Eglin members get a close-up look at the Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft AA-1 as it sits on the ramp April 23. The aircraft’s first arrival at the base was to provide a showcase to Team Eglin and the local community. Media and local community leaders saw and heard the aircraft in action during the sortie as well as got an up close view of it. They were also shown a cockpit demo to see what it feels like to sit inside an F-35 and learn the pilot’s point of view. Nine countries and three U.S. services have orders for the new aircraft and they all will pass through Eglin to learn to fly it. The 33rd Fighter Wing will transition from an operational fighter unit into a joint training unit in October to educate and train the pilots. The first of new fighters are scheduled to arrive March 2010. (Air Force photo by Samuel King Jr.)

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The Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft AA-1 banks over the Eglin Air Force Base flightline sending contrails streaming off the wings during its sortie April 23. The aircraft’s first arrival at the base was to provide a showcase to Team Eglin and the local community. Media and local community leaders saw and heard the aircraft in action during the sortie as well as got an up close view of it. They were also shown a cockpit demo to see what it feels like to sit inside an F-35 and learn the pilot’s point of view. Nine countries and three U.S. services have orders for the new aircraft and they all will pass through Eglin to learn to fly it. The 33rd Fighter Wing will transition from an operational fighter unit into a joint training unit in October to educate and train the pilots. The first of new fighters are scheduled to arrive March 2010. (Courtesy photo)

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The Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft AA-1 performs a touch-and-go over the Eglin Air Force Base runway April 23 during its sortie. The aircraft’s first arrival at the base was to provide a showcase to Team Eglin and the local community. Media and local community leaders saw and heard the aircraft in action during the sortie as well as got an up close view of it. They were also shown a cockpit demo to see what it feels like to sit inside an F-35 and learn the pilot’s point of view. Nine countries and three U.S. services have orders for the new aircraft and they all will pass through Eglin to learn to fly it. The 33rd Fighter Wing will transition from an operational fighter unit into a joint training unit in October to educate and train the pilots. The first of new fighters are scheduled to arrive March 2010. (Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

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Joint Strike Fighter test pilot David Nelson gives Airman 1st Class Joseph Saucier, 96th Security Forces Squadron, a tour around the F-35, April 23 while it was parked in front of McKinley Climatic Lab on base. The aircraft’s first arrival at the base was to provide a showcase to Team Eglin and the local community. Media and local community leaders saw and heard the aircraft in action during the sortie as well as got an up close view of it. They were also shown a cockpit demo to see what it feels like to sit inside an F-35 and learn the pilot’s point of view. Nine countries and three U.S. services have orders for the new aircraft and they all will pass through Eglin to learn to fly it. The 33rd Fighter Wing will transition from an operational fighter unit into a joint training unit in October to educate and train the pilots. The first of new fighters are scheduled to arrive March 2010. (Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

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JSF test plane showcased, flies at Eglin

Published April 27, 2009
By Samuel King Jr.
96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- "What starts here at Eglin, will change the world."

This was the sentiment echoed by Lockheed Martin's Dan Crowley and many others during the arrival and showcase of the Joint Strike Fighter here April 21-23.

After an initial delay, the test F-35 called AA-1 landed the afternoon of April 21. The landing kicked off a week full of events designed to educate the base and local community about the Department of Defense and world's newest fighter.

"We are very proud to host these JSF events," said Col. Arnold Bunch, Air Armament Center vice commander. "We hope everyone has a chance to see the aircraft, ask questions and get a better understanding of its importance. This is the future of Eglin and of the Air Force."

Along with the aircraft, Lockheed Martin brought a cockpit demo, simulators and subject matter experts to give the base and community leaders a first-hand look at the cockpit and what it would feel like to fly the fifth generation fighter.

On April 22, the area had an opportunity to see the $44 million fighter take flight over the base and local area during a sortie, (only its 83). It cruised the skies with two F-16 chase aircraft before passing over the runway for some touch-and-gos. Cars pulled off the road and parked along Eglin Parkway and area roadways just to watch the new fighter in action.

Afterward, it was parked by the McKinley Climatic Lab for viewing on base.
Marine Brig. Gen. David Heinz, program executive officer for the JSF program, stressed the importance of the aircraft to troops on the ground.

"The warfighters, the best and brightest of all our nations called to duty and asked to stand out on the very edge - the pointy edge... they are relying on us to deliver a safe, effective and affordable product," said the general.

Nine countries and three U.S. services have orders for the new aircraft and they all will pass through Eglin to learn to fly it.

The 33rd Fighter Wing will transition from an operational fighter unit into a joint training unit in October to educate and train the pilots. The first of the new fighters are scheduled to arrive March 2010.