(JASDF) pilots had completed training
with the Air Force Reserve Command’s
Detachment 2, 944th Operations Group, at
Luke on May 20.
The JASDF’s rst F-35A to be based in
Japan arrived at Misawa AB on January 26,
2018 and was assigned to the 3rd Air Wing’s
Temporary F-35A Squadron (Rinji F-35A
Hikotai), which was activated on December
1, 2017. Serial 89-8706 was the second
Lightning II produced in Japan. Five F-35As,
comprising AX-01 through AX-05, arrived at
Misawa following a trans-Paci c ight from
Luke AFB on May 28. The 302nd Hikotai
(Squadron) will be the rst equipped with the
F-35A when it stands up at Misawa in early
- It currently operates the F-4EJ from
Hyakuri Air Base, but will stand down there
in December.
The Japanese Government is reportedly
considering the acquisition of F-35Bs and
re tting the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s
814ft (248m) helicopter destroyer JS Izumo
(DDH 183) to operate the aircraft. The
JASDF is also considering adding 20-25
more F-35As to its planned procurement.
SOUTH KOREA
The Republic of Korea formally committed
to purchase 40 F-35As via the FMS
programme in September 2014. The rst
aircraft for the Republic of Korea Air Force
(ROKAF) conducted its maiden ight on
March 19, 2018 and was formally unveiled
at Fort Worth on March 28. The F-35A (c/n
AW-1), which carries the ROKAF serial 18-
001, was delivered to Luke AFB on May 18.
The rst F-35As will be delivered to the 17th
Fighter Wing at Cheongju Air Base in 2019.
The country’s defence acquisition
agency is understood to be considering the
purchase of 20 more F-35As. Additionally,
the government is discussing the acquisition
of F-35Bs for operation from the navy’s 653ft
(199m) amphibious assault ship ROKS
Dokdo (LPH 6111).THE NETHERLANDS
This country was the rst international
partner to purchase the F-35A, acquiring
single examples under Lot 3 and 4. Serial
F-001’s (c/n AN-1) rst ight took place
in Fort Worth on August 6, 2012 and the
initial pair was delivered to the USAF’s 33rdFighter Wing at Eglin AFB, Florida, in July- Both were placed in storage after
the Dutch parliament decided to cancel
participation in the programme, but in
September 2013, the decision was reversed.
However, the original requirement for 85
F-35As was reduced to just 37 aircraft. The
Dutch F-35As were assigned to 323 Tactical
Training Evaluation and Standardisation
Squadron (TACTES) at Edwards AFB,
California, joining the operational test eet
as part of the joint operational test team
(JOTT) on January 16, 2015. They carried
out a brief visit to the Netherlands to conduct
environmental ‘perception’ ights around
Leeuwarden and Volkel Air Bases in May
2016, but subsequently returned to Edwards.
In February 2015, the Dutch parliament
approved the purchase of eight aircraft.
Ordered with Lot 10, the ghters include six
being built in Fort Worth and two at Cameri.
The remaining 27 F-35As will also be
assembled in Italy.
Manufacturing of the rst aircraft in
Italy (c/n AN-9) began in Cameri in June
2018 and it will be the rst delivered to
322 Squadron at Leeuwarden Air Base in
October 2019. Dutch F-35As will also be
operated by 312 and 313 Squadrons.
IOC will be achieved in 2021 and FOC in - The six Fort Worth-produced F-35As
will be delivered to Luke AFB to support
training in 2019. Ultimately, ve F-35As
will support training at Luke and 32 will be
assigned to the operational units.
NO RWAY
The rst two F-35As for the Royal Norwegian
Air Force were purchased as part of Lot 7.
Serial 5087 (c/n AM-1) was unveiled in Fort
Worth in September 2015 and serial 5088
(c/n AM-2) became the rst Norwegian jet
to y on October 6. A second pair of F-35As
was ordered with Lot 8 and six followed for
each of Lot 9 and 10. Six jets will be ordered
annually through to 2024. Norway’s rst three
aircraft support international training efforts
and an initial pair arrived at Luke AFB on
November 10, 2015. Plans call for seven to
support training with the 56th FW until 2024,
when three aircraft will move to Norway.
The operational eet will operate from
Ørland Main Air Station, which initiallyhttp://www.aviation-news.co.uk 35
The Netherlands has plans to buy 37 F-35As,
reduced from 85 aircraft, to equip three
frontline units: 312, 313 and 322 Squadrons.
Lockheed MartinSouth Korea’s initial F-35A was delivered to Luke AFB in May. The country has ordered 40 of this
variant and is considering acquiring additional F-35As and also B models. Lockheed Martin
‘Norwegian and
Dutch F-35s will have
structural provisions for
a braking parachute,
designed to reduce
landing roll on shorter
or icy runways’