THE THIRD Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) F-35A, F-003 (AN-03), made its maiden flight from Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas, on December 15. Takeoff was at approximately 0935hrs local time for a 1hr 45min test sortie. The Lightning Ⅱ will be delivered to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, where it will train pilots as part of the USAF's 308th Fighter Squadron. The unit previously flew Block 42 F-16C/DS at the base for training, but was deactivated on June 25, 2015. It was re-formed at Luke last November 30 as an F-35A training unit for the RNLAF and Royal Danish Air Force - see 308th Fighter Squadron reactivated at Luke, January, p17.
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