First Operational Interfly of F-35 Fighter Jets by U.S. and Australian Air Forces at Talisman Sabre 2025
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During the Talisman Sabre 2025 international military exercise, held from July 15 to August 1, 2025, in Australia’s Northern Territory and other locations across the Indo-Pacific, two U.S. Air Force pilots flew Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft in the first-ever international interfly mission involving 5th generation fighters. This historic milestone marks the first time U.S. pilots have operated a partner nation’s F-35A, demonstrating a new level of interoperability among allied air forces within the global F-35 program.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II taxis on flightline during Talisman Sabre 25 in Northern Territory, Australia. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)
The participating U.S. pilots were Air Force Reserve Maj. Justin “Spike” Lennon, an F-35A evaluator with the 48th Fighter Wing of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Africa, and Maj. Colby “Burn” Kluesner from the 388th Fighter Wing. Both were fully integrated into RAAF’s No. 77 Squadron operations, flying Australian F-35A aircraft after completing simulator training and academic certification, showcasing seamless operational fusion between U.S. and Australian forces.
This interfly event was enabled by the RAAF’s (Royal Australian Air Force) Lightning-X program, launched in 2023 to normalize coalition pilot integration across its F-35 fleet. The initiative addresses key operational areas such as medical readiness, egress systems, and human performance, allowing RAAF commanders to treat qualified allied pilots as native aircrew. Squadron Leader Nicholas Reynolds, executive officer of No. 77 Squadron, emphasized the success of this concept during Talisman Sabre, stating it allows full tactical integration and mission capability across national lines.
In parallel with the U.S. Air Force participation, the Royal Australian Air Force deployed its fleet of F-35A Lightning II aircraft, which are optimized for conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL). The United States contributed F-35B Lightning II aircraft, operated by the U.S. Marine Corps, which feature short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities. The deployment of both variants during Talisman Sabre 25 provided a rare opportunity to test cross-platform interoperability and validate flexible basing concepts in both austere and established airfields.
The F-35A, used by the RAAF and USAF, is designed for high-performance operations from conventional runways and features an internal 25mm cannon, making it well-suited for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. In contrast, the F-35B, used by the USMC and Royal Navy, trades internal gun systems for a vertical lift fan system that allows it to operate from short runways, expeditionary airstrips, and amphibious ships. While the F-35A offers greater internal fuel capacity and slightly higher range, the F-35B provides unparalleled basing flexibility in contested environments, making both essential components of allied 5th generation airpower.
The exercise also involved pilots from the Royal Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps, including RAF Squadron Leader Daniel “Goffy” Goff and USMC Lt. Col. Johnny “Yardsale” Rose, who were similarly integrated into RAAF’s F-35 training and operations. All participants completed a full day of ground instruction and simulator training before conducting live-flight missions alongside Australian pilots, operating with complete mission autonomy.
Maj. Lennon noted the ease of transition between allied aircraft, citing the F-35’s standardized systems, shared training protocols, and common cockpit architecture. “The flying portion is actually the easiest part thanks to the F-35’s design and coalition-wide alignment. The only way to know it’s not an Aussie in the cockpit is by the voice on the radio,” he said.
This first multinational F-35 interfly mission represents a strategic step toward normalizing interchangeability among allied 5th generation operators, enhancing agility and extending global reach. As part of broader coalition readiness efforts, exercises like Talisman Sabre now serve not only to deter potential adversaries but to validate real-time coalition warfighting capabilities in complex scenarios.
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During the Talisman Sabre 2025 international military exercise, held from July 15 to August 1, 2025, in Australia’s Northern Territory and other locations across the Indo-Pacific, two U.S. Air Force pilots flew Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft in the first-ever international interfly mission involving 5th generation fighters. This historic milestone marks the first time U.S. pilots have operated a partner nation’s F-35A, demonstrating a new level of interoperability among allied air forces within the global F-35 program.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II taxis on flightline during Talisman Sabre 25 in Northern Territory, Australia. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)
The participating U.S. pilots were Air Force Reserve Maj. Justin “Spike” Lennon, an F-35A evaluator with the 48th Fighter Wing of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Africa, and Maj. Colby “Burn” Kluesner from the 388th Fighter Wing. Both were fully integrated into RAAF’s No. 77 Squadron operations, flying Australian F-35A aircraft after completing simulator training and academic certification, showcasing seamless operational fusion between U.S. and Australian forces.
This interfly event was enabled by the RAAF’s (Royal Australian Air Force) Lightning-X program, launched in 2023 to normalize coalition pilot integration across its F-35 fleet. The initiative addresses key operational areas such as medical readiness, egress systems, and human performance, allowing RAAF commanders to treat qualified allied pilots as native aircrew. Squadron Leader Nicholas Reynolds, executive officer of No. 77 Squadron, emphasized the success of this concept during Talisman Sabre, stating it allows full tactical integration and mission capability across national lines.
In parallel with the U.S. Air Force participation, the Royal Australian Air Force deployed its fleet of F-35A Lightning II aircraft, which are optimized for conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL). The United States contributed F-35B Lightning II aircraft, operated by the U.S. Marine Corps, which feature short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities. The deployment of both variants during Talisman Sabre 25 provided a rare opportunity to test cross-platform interoperability and validate flexible basing concepts in both austere and established airfields.
The F-35A, used by the RAAF and USAF, is designed for high-performance operations from conventional runways and features an internal 25mm cannon, making it well-suited for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. In contrast, the F-35B, used by the USMC and Royal Navy, trades internal gun systems for a vertical lift fan system that allows it to operate from short runways, expeditionary airstrips, and amphibious ships. While the F-35A offers greater internal fuel capacity and slightly higher range, the F-35B provides unparalleled basing flexibility in contested environments, making both essential components of allied 5th generation airpower.
The exercise also involved pilots from the Royal Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps, including RAF Squadron Leader Daniel “Goffy” Goff and USMC Lt. Col. Johnny “Yardsale” Rose, who were similarly integrated into RAAF’s F-35 training and operations. All participants completed a full day of ground instruction and simulator training before conducting live-flight missions alongside Australian pilots, operating with complete mission autonomy.
Maj. Lennon noted the ease of transition between allied aircraft, citing the F-35’s standardized systems, shared training protocols, and common cockpit architecture. “The flying portion is actually the easiest part thanks to the F-35’s design and coalition-wide alignment. The only way to know it’s not an Aussie in the cockpit is by the voice on the radio,” he said.
This first multinational F-35 interfly mission represents a strategic step toward normalizing interchangeability among allied 5th generation operators, enhancing agility and extending global reach. As part of broader coalition readiness efforts, exercises like Talisman Sabre now serve not only to deter potential adversaries but to validate real-time coalition warfighting capabilities in complex scenarios.
