RAAF Lightning Ils arrive in Australia

摘要

THE FIRST two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35As to be permanently based in Australia arrived at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales, on December 10. The Lightning Ils, A35-009 and A35-010, are the ninth and tenth jets to be delivered to the service; the first eight are temporarily assigned to the USAF's 61st Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, as part of the international F-35 training school. The RAAF has a requirement for 72 F-35As and may eventually acquire a further 28 aircraft in the next decade. The two aircraft had been delivered to the RAAF at Luke in September and October last year. The pair arrived at Williamtown via Hickam AFBH in Hawaii and RAAF Basse Amberley, Queensland. For the final leg of the journey the fighters were flown by the commanding officer of No 3 Squadron, Wing Commander Darren Clare and Squadron Leader Red Borrman. The two aircraft will now conduct a period of verification and validation testing leading up to planned declaration of initial operational capability (IOC) at the end of 2020. The next two jets are planned to be delivered to Williamtown in April and eight aircraft will have arrived by the end of the year. The 72 F-35As for the RAAF are due to be delivered by 2023.