Weapons School fleet grows with arrival of second F-35

Photo By Senior Airman Thomas Spangler | The second F-35 Lightning II assigned to the U.S. Air Force Weapons School lands at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Feb. 18, 2015. The integration of the F-35 into the syllabus will better prepare Weapons School students for future conflicts, as well as increase the effectiveness of other combat aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Spangler)  

NV, UNITED STATES

02.19.2015

Story by Senior Airman Thomas Spangler 

Nellis Air Force Base

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. – The second F-35 Lightning II assigned to the U.S. Air Force Weapons School arrived here Feb. 18, 2015.

This will be an addition to the first F-35 for the Weapons School which arrived on Jan. 15, 2015.

The newly assigned F-35s will provide Weapons School Airmen with proven and tested technology, the most current tactics, superb academic training and a unique opportunity to practice integrated force employment.

The arriving aircraft was piloted by U.S. Air Force Warfare Center commander, Maj. Gen. Jay Silveria.

“The long-term goal for the F-35 in the Weapons School is for it to completely integrate with all of the other platforms, to bring out its capability and to add to the capability of the other fighters,” Silveria said.

In addition to the advanced capabilities that the F-35 brings to the fight, it also increases the effectiveness of other combat aircraft.

“(The arrival of the F-35) is a turning point because it brings more of a 5th (generation) capability to our air power,” Silveria said. “It brings low-observable, it brings strike capability and it brings its targeting system. This is only the beginning, we’re going to continue to see the airplane develop and we’re going to continue to see the airplane demonstrate its capability.”

• Date Taken: 02.19.2015
• Date Posted: 02.19.2015 16:35
• Story ID: 154887
• Location: NV, US