F-35s in Australia: Allies Advance Airpower in the Pacific

American, Australian, and Italian F-35s deployed Down Under this summer to train with multinational military partners.

Fighter Firsts

In June, U.S. Marine F-35B pilots flew Royal Australian Air Force F-35As for the first time, demonstrating the value of F-35 interoperability and interchangeability.

“Interoperability is two different organizations figuring out ways to work together; interchangeability means the entire allied F-35 force can pool parts, maintainers, weapons, tactics — and now pilots and aircraft — to accomplish any mission,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Robert Guyette, commanding officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214.

Allies Assemble

In July, Italy deployed F-35s to Australia for exercise Pitch Black 24, where the Italian Air Force is joining live-fly training for the first time.

Pitch Black 24 features aircraft from 20 allied nations and, for the first time, an aircraft carrier: Italy’s ITS Cavour. The Italian Navy flagship is operating F-35Bs and AV-8B Harriers. 

Pacific Partners

The F-35 is the fighter of choice for key allies across the Indo-Pacific. The growing number of F-35s in the region is “peace through strength” in action.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Defense announced plans to upgrade tactical aircraft capacity and capabilities based in Japan, including U.S. Air Force F-35As and U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs.

By 2035, there will be a permanent presence of more than 300 F-35s in the Indo-Pacific region.