Flying High: F-35's Latest Feats

In recent weeks, the F-35 program has seen countless accomplishments! See what the world's most advanced fighter jet has been up to.

Spotlight

Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales has embarked on Steadfast Defender, her largest-ever contingent of F-35s for NATO’s biggest exercise in a generation.

F-35Bs with the Royal Air Force’s 617 Squadron are helping the United Kingdom and allies strengthen collective deterrence in Europe.

What's Being Said

“We need to be able to fight back and stop anyone who tries to challenge our borders, values and democracy — with the current security situation in Europe, the exercise is extremely relevant and more important than ever before,” said Royal Norwegian Air Force Brig. Tron Strand, commander of the Norwegian Air Operations Center. 

Allied Deterrence

• U.S. Marine F-35Bs trained in Japan.
• Janes highlighted the F-35’s growing presence across Europe.
• Dutch defense officials also opened a new F-35 maintenance depot.
• The U.S. Air Force opened a new F-35 field training detachment facility in England.
• HMS Prince of Wales and her F-35Bs set sail to join NATO’s largest exercise since the Cold War.
• Italian F-35s concluded a successful deployment supporting NATO air policing mission in Poland.
• NATO hosted a conference focused on integrating 5th Generation aircraft into the air campaign.
• British F-35Bs landed aboard HMS Prince of Wales ahead of Exercise Steadfast Defender.
• Finland approved plans to build an F135 maintenance facility there.