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One of the first two Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning Joint Strike Fighters flies overhead RAAF Base Williamtown on delivery day. Photo by Brian Hartigan.

All 72 RAAF F-35s now delivered

30/12/202408/01/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3958 Views 2 Comments F-35A Lightning II

The delivery of the final nine of Australia’s fleet of 72 F-35A Lightning II aircraft that occurred earlier in December

Aircraftman Nicholas Thorpe, of 25 Squadron, and Squadron Leader James Wheeler, of 3 Squadron, speak with Eliwana mine staff during a visit to Eliwana airport in the Pilbara region of WA. Story and photos by Stephanie Hallen.

F-35s visit Pilbara

02/10/202405/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1371 Views 1 Comment F-35A Lightning II, No. 25 Squadron, No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Pearce

You wouldn’t typically expect to see F-35A Lightning II aircraft flying around in some of the most remote parts of

A US Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214 is refuelled by a RAAF 33 Squadron KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft over the Pacific ocean in transit to Australia. Photo: USMC Corporal Nicholas Johnson

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF and USMC F-35s train together in NT

12/07/202414/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 4996 Views 0 Comments 33 Squadron, Exercise Magpie Lightning, F-35A Lightning II, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 3 Squadron, No. 75 Squadron, RAAF Amberley, RAAF Tindal, USMC

The skies over the Northern Territory came alive with different variants of the F-35 Lightning II in May and June

Leading Aircraftwoman Indianna Biles and Leading Aircraftwoman Olivia Jacobs conduct a stocktake prior to sealing the container holding the spares pack, ready for transportation to RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory.

News Royal Australian Air Force

F-35A readiness boosted with deployed spares pack

20/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2727 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II

A team of aviators have successfully built a second deployed spares pack for the F-35A Lightning II, enhancing supply-chain resilience

A RAAF F-35A Lightning II pilot gives the thumbs up during Exercise Red Flag Nellis in Nevada, US. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Burnet.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

F-35s fly back from Nevada

02/02/202403/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2053 Views 0 Comments Exercise Red Flag, F-35A Lightning II, No. 114MRCU, No. 3 Squadron, RAF, US Air Force

Exercise Red Flag Nellis 24-1 has concluded after three weeks of high-intensity air combat training at Nevada and airspace in

A Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II is refuelled by a United States Air Force tanker at Exercise Red Flag Nellis 24-1 in Nevada, USA. USAF photo.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

RAAF F-35s in US for debut Red Flag exercise

16/01/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2000 Views 0 Comments Exercise Red Flag

Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightening II fighters are in America for the world’s toughest air-combat training exercise, alongside counterparts

News Royal Australian Air Force Sovereign industry

Newcastle set to become regional F-35 servicing hub

01/01/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3096 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II

Hunter Region’s future as the Indo-Pacific hub for sustainment of F-35 Lightning II aircraft has been secured after the Australian

Two RAAF F-35A Lightning II's from 75 Squadron fly with two TNI-AU F-16 Fighting Falcons during Exercise Elang Ausindo 2023. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photos by Corporal Kieren Whiteley.

Asia News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

RAAF F-35s in Indonesia

06/10/202308/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2720 Views 0 Comments Exercise Elang Ausindo, F-16, F-35A Lightning II, No. 75 Squadron, TNI-AU

RAAF aircrew have built confidence sharing knowledge and developing tactics with their Indonesian counterparts. CAPTION: Two RAAF F-35A Lightning II’s from

An F-35A Lightning II from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron during sunset at RAAF Base Tindal. Story by Squadron Leader Eamon Hamilton.

News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Historic Australian first for Japan’s F-35As

08/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2711 Views 1 Comment Chief of Air Force, F-35A Lightning II, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement, No. 75 Squadron, RAAF Tindal

A warm Northern Territory welcome greeted the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) on the first international deployment of its F-35A

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

F-35s’ big role in Philippines exercise

05/09/202307/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2241 Views 0 Comments Armed Forces of the Philippines, C-130J Hercules, E-7A Wedgetail, Exercise Alon, F-35A Lightning II, Philippines, US Marines

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) was a critical force enabler during Exercise Alon, with the E-7A Wedgetail and F-35A

An Air Force Hawk 127 and F-35A Lightning II prepare to take off during Exercise High Sierra at RAAF Base Townsville in Queensland. Story by Flying Officer Sharon Sebastian. All photos by LAC Ryan Howell.

News Royal Australian Air Force

New F-35 pilots graduate

04/07/202305/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1724 Views 0 Comments Exercise High Sierra, F-35A Lightning II, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Townsville

Exercise High Sierra is back gracing Townsville airspace once again, following a two-year hiatus, to graduate the latest cadre of

Flight Lieutenant Joshua Fuad, 17 Squadron, at RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory. Photo by Corporal Hayden Young.

ADF People

Out of the kitchen into F-35 support

26/05/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1298 Views 0 Comments

Fighter jets and frying pans have as much in common as bombs and biscuits, but a “why can’t I” attitude

News Science & Technology USA

2000th F-35 pilot fitted with custom flight ensemble

19/03/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2386 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II

In a significant milestone for the Joint Strike Fighter Programme and leading survival-technology company Survitec, the 2000th F-35 pilot has been

A wooden mock-up of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II in Canadian markings at the Classic Air Rallye, Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Rockcliffe Airport, Ottawa. Photo by Ahunt, via Wikimedia.

News Overseas

Canada joins F-35 club

10/01/202310/01/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2719 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II

Despite Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s promise to never buy F-35, the Government of Canada yesterday signed a contract to procure

The latest four Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft to roll off the Lockheed Martin production line in Texas, have headed straight to Alaska to participate in Exercise Red Flag Alaska 21-3 at JPARC.

Europe News

Germany joins F-35 club

18/12/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2391 Views 1 Comment

Germany has announced it will buy 35 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft. FILE PHOTO (2021): Four Royal Australian Air

Joint Strike fighter A35-11 departs for a night sortie from RAAF Base Williamtown. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

Australian News Royal Australian Air Force

Government pays BAE to expand F-35 maintenance capacity

03/11/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2293 Views 0 Comments BAE Syatems, F-35A Lightning II

The Australian government has signed a Facility Services Deed worth more than $100 million with BAE Systems Australia to expand

Australia's newest F-35A Lightning II aircraft A35-053 and A35-054 arrive at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales, at the end of their ferry flight during exercise Lightning Ferry 22-3. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology USA Videos

Four more F-35s delivered to Australia

17/09/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3093 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II

Exercise Lightning Ferry 22-3 was conducted from 24 August to 2 September 2022, seeing the arrival of four more F-35A

The RAAF's newest F-35A Lightning II aircraft arrive at RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Bronwyn Marchant. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

Two F-35A arrivals brings fleet to to 50

22/06/202223/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2287 Views 2 Comments Exercise Black Flag, F-35A Lightning II, No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown, US Air Force

The Royal Australian Air Force’s fleet of F-35A Lightning II aircraft continues to increase, with two more aircraft arriving at

Flight Lieutenant Ross Bowman at RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Nick O'Connor. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Air show pilot talks us through his F-35A display

26/05/202227/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2239 Views 0 Comments Air Show, F-35A Lightning II, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit

Defence has a long and proud history of showcasing its cutting-edge assets and highly skilled personnel at public events throughout

Australia's first two F-35As to be based on home soil – A35-009 and A35-010 – arrive at RAAF Base Williamtown. Photo by Brian Hartigan.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF denies problems with F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

17/02/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2991 Views 3 Comments F-35A Lightning II

Australia’s Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld has released a formal statement in response to media reports claiming that

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