Navy maintainers putting F-35s in air

Chief Petty Officer Ben DeWitt, of the Strike Fighter Squadron-101, preforms pre-flight checks on an F-35C Lightning II prior to a sortie at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Sailors, along with Airmen and Marines work directly with the LM maintainers to help put the joint strike fighters in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

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Chief Petty Officer Ben DeWitt, of the Strike Fighter Squadron-101, preforms pre-flight checks on an F-35C Lightning II prior to a sortie at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Sailors, along with Airmen and Marines work directly with the LM maintainers to help put the joint strike fighters in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

A Sailor uses a tool to open a compartment on the Navy variant F-35C Lightning II after a sortie at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Sailors from the Strike Fighter Squadron-101, along with Airmen and Marines work directly with the LM maintainers to help put the joint strike fighters in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

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A Sailor uses a tool to open a compartment on the Navy variant F-35C Lightning II after a sortie at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Sailors from the Strike Fighter Squadron-101, along with Airmen and Marines work directly with the LM maintainers to help put the joint strike fighters in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

A Sailor with the Strike Fighter Squadron-101 watches the preflight procedures closely prior to an F-35C Lightning II sortie at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Sailors, along with Airmen and Marines work directly with the LM maintainers to help put the joint strike fighters in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

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A Sailor with the Strike Fighter Squadron-101 watches the preflight procedures closely prior to an F-35C Lightning II sortie at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Sailors, along with Airmen and Marines work directly with the LM maintainers to help put the joint strike fighters in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Sailors and Lockheed Martin personnel move in to chock the wheels of a Navy variant F-35C Lightning II after a sortie at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Sailors from the Strike Fighter Squadron-101, along with Airmen and Marines work directly with the LM maintainers to help put the joint strike fighters in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

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Sailors and Lockheed Martin personnel move in to chock the wheels of a Navy variant F-35C Lightning II after a sortie at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Sailors from the Strike Fighter Squadron-101, along with Airmen and Marines work directly with the LM maintainers to help put the joint strike fighters in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Chief Petty Officer Ben DeWitt, of the Strike Fighter Squadron-101, monitors pre-flight checks prior to an F-35C Lightning II sortie at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Sailors, along with Airmen and Marines work directly with the LM maintainers to help put the joint strike fighters in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

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Chief Petty Officer Ben DeWitt, of the Strike Fighter Squadron-101, monitors pre-flight checks prior to an F-35C Lightning II sortie at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Sailors, along with Airmen and Marines work directly with the LM maintainers to help put the joint strike fighters in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Sailors with the Strike Fighter Squadron-101 watch the preflight procedures closely prior to an F-35C Lightning II sortie at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Sailors, along with Airmen and Marines work directly with the LM maintainers to help put the joint strike fighters in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

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Sailors with the Strike Fighter Squadron-101 watch the preflight procedures closely prior to an F-35C Lightning II sortie at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Sailors, along with Airmen and Marines work directly with the LM maintainers to help put the joint strike fighters in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)