Belgium’s first F-35A Lightning II arrives at Luke Air Force Base, launching pilot training
The first F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation fighter jet of the Belgian Air Component has arrived at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, marking the start of Belgium’s transition over to fifth-generation airpower.
The arrival of the F-35A on December 3, 2024, has kicked off a training program for a group of Belgian pilots based at Luke AFB. These pilots are expected to transition Belgium to this new aircraft platform by becoming instructors for their compatriots at an upcoming training center in Belgium. More Belgian F-35As are expected to arrive at Luke AFB over the coming few months.
“Our first jet just landed at Luke AFB, marking the start of our training period,” Belgian Air Component Lieutenant Colonel Pierre-Yves Libert said. “A lot of work has gone into making this moment possible and we are excited to begin flying and complete our training.”
In October 2018, Belgium decided to procure 34 F-35A Lightning II jets to replace its aging fleet of F-16s, some of which will be delivered to Ukraine. In August 2023, the Belgian-US 312th Fighter Squadron was officially established at Luke Air Force Base to oversee the training of 40 Belgian pilots and 120 technicians by 2030.
Infrastructure upgrades at Florennes and Kleine-Brogel in Belgium are on track to accommodate the F-35 in 2025 and 2027, respectively. Belgium is targeting initial operational capability in 2027 and full capability by 2030, with the F-35 fully replacing the F-16 by 2028.
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The first F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation fighter jet of the Belgian Air Component has arrived at Luke Air…
The post Belgium’s first F-35A Lightning II arrives at Luke Air Force Base, launching pilot training appeared first on AeroTime.
