JSF breaks ground

  • Published
  • By Airman Anthony Jennings
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Construction of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter training facility was marked with a groundbreaking ceremony March 20 here. 

Construction of facilities for the JSF joint training site, which includes instructor pilots, operations and maintenance support personnel, will provide an initial capability for one squadron each of F-35s for the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. 

"The hard work, dedication and teamwork that were made to make this possible is symbolized with today's ceremony," said Maj. Gen. David Eidsaune, Air Armament Center commander and program executive officer for weapons. 

The F-35 is a stealth-capable military strike fighter able to perform multiroles and close air support.  It can also conduct tactical bombing and air defense missions. Pilots from the Air Force, Marines, and Navy, as well as coalition partners, will fly one of three variants of the new aircraft. 

The Lightning II program provides cutting edge technology strike aircraft weapon systems for the Navy, Air Force, Marines and international partners. 

"America and her allies will train the finest warriors to help protect the freedoms we are so blessed with," said General Eidsaune. "This is the first step to making this future a reality." 

Overall, more than 2,000 Airmen, Sailors and Marines would be assigned to the training wing. The training facility will be used to train more than 100 pilots in flight operations of the F-35 per year and construction of the facility is projected to bring up to $700 million to the local area. The first F-35 is sceduled to arrive here in one year. 

"Our vision is delivering unrivaled air, space and cyberspace education and training," said Maj. Gen. Erwin Lessell, Air Education and Training Command director of plans, programs, requirements and assessments. "And today, this future is one step closer."