SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vermont –
The next three F-35 Lightning II aircraft landed at the Vermont Air National Guard just after 3 p.m. Dec. 5, 2019.
These aircraft are part of the 20 total aircraft assigned to the Vermont Air National Guard, with the full complement arriving by summer 2020.
The aircraft departed Thursday morning from Fort Worth, Texas, and were flown by Vermont Air National Guard pilots assigned to the 134th Fighter Squadron.
“Today’s arrival is part of our scheduled plan to receive all the aircraft through 2020,” said Col. Adam Rice, 158th Fighter Wing vice commander. “I’m very proud that our team is ready and our pilots were able to fly these Vermont aircraft home.”
The Vermont Air National Guard is the first Air National Guard to receive the F-35 Lightning II.
The first F-35s assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing arrived at the Vermont Air National Guard Base on September 19th and the official welcome ceremony took place on October 19th.
"Each aircraft arrival is another step towards finalizing the fielding process at the Vermont Air National Guard," said Brig. Gen. Greg Knight, Vermont Adjutant General. "Our Airmen have performed remarkably to get to this point and I am, as always, impressed with their dedication towards their mission."