Wing Commander Darren Clare climbs out of aircraft AU 2 after conducting a training mission where his wingman Squadron Leader David Bell flew the 1000th sortie in a Royal Australian Air Force F-35A. USAF photo.

Aussie F-35 fleet clocks first 1000th sortie

08/06/201813/06/2018 Posted by Brian Hartigan 8003 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II

RAAF personnel at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, in the United States, marked a significant milestone on Monday this week as Australia’s F-35 Lightning fleet clocked up its 1000th flying sortie.

CAPTION: Wing Commander Darren Clare climbs out of an Australian F-35A after conducting a training mission where his wingman Squadron Leader David Bell flew the 1000th sortie for the Australian F-35A fleet. USAF photo.

Squadron Leader David Bell, who flew the 1000th sortie in an Australian F-35A, with Wing Commander Darren Clare, Commanding Officer 3 Squadron RAAF. USAF photo. — *Squadron Leader David Bell, who flew the 1000th sortie in an Australian F-35A, with Commanding Officer 3 Squadron RAAF Wing Commander Darren Clare. USAF photo.*

Squadron Leader David Bell had the honour of flying the 1000th sortie, in airframe AU 2.

The RAAF F-35A team are working together with the 56th Fighter Wing US Air Force and Lockheed Martin to develop Australia’s initial F-35A capability.

Royal Australian Air Force pilots and maintenance personnel are fully embedded and integrated in USAF squadrons as they prepare to lead Australia’s transition to a fifth-generation Air Force.

Australia currently owns five F-35A Joint Strike Fighters, all based at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, where they operate as part of the global training fleet.