F-35A Lightning II Archives - CONTACT magazine

An F-35A Lightning II aircraft from 2 Operational Conversion Unit takes to the sky for a mission during Exercise High Sierra, RAAF Base Townsville. Story by Flying Officer Madeleine Magee. Photos by Sergeant Andrew Eddie.

Up, up and away for new pilots

13/12/202421/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 764 Views 0 Comments Exercise Crimson Dawn, Exercise High Sierra, F-35A Lightning II, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Townsville

The Royal Australian Air Force welcomed its newest F-35A Lightning II trainee fast jet pilots to Townsville as 2 Operational

A Philippine Air Force member works with a RAAF combat controller during Exercise Havoc Strike at Bulahdelah near RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Image has been modified for security. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photos by Corporal Samuel Miller.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Controller training a success at Havoc Strike

26/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 585 Views 0 Comments Exercise Havoc Strike, F-35A Lightning II, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 4 Squadron, Philippine Air Force, RAAF Williamtown, Royal Thai Air Force

The Royal Australian Air Force’s 4 Squadron has played host to the Philippine and Royal Thai Air Forces on Exercise

Royal Australian Air Force 77 Squadron members on the apron with the F-35A Lightning II at Paya Lebar Air Base during Exercise Bersama Lima 2024, Singapore. Story by Captain Andrew Page. Photos by Corporal Lisa Sherman.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Bersama Lima success across air, land and sea

13/11/202416/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1084 Views 0 Comments Exercise Bersama Lima, F-35A Lightning II, Five Power Defence Arrangements, No. 77 Squadron, Singapore

Exercise Bersama Lima 2024 has concluded with all activities conducted across air, land and sea a resounding success. CAPTION: Royal Australian

EA-18G Growlers from 6 Squadron and F-35A Lightning IIs from 75 Squadron on the flight line at RAAF Base Tindal, NT, during Trial Swagman. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Brandon Murray.

News Royal Australian Air Force Sovereign industry

Top End hosts electronic warfare trial

08/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1509 Views 0 Comments EA-18G Growler, F-35A Lightning II, Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Unit (JEWOSU), No. 6 Squadron, No. 75 Squadron, RAAF Tindal

Launching from RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory, 6 and 75 Squadron recently conducted Electronic Warfare (EW) testing of

Two 77 Squadron F-35A Lightning II aircraft on the 19 Squadron apron at Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth during Exercise Elangaroo 24. Story by Squadron Leader Tina Turner. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scott.

Asia News Royal Australian Air Force

Lightning strikes twice in Malaysia

18/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1253 Views 0 Comments Exercise Elangaroo, F-35A Lightning II, No. 77 Squadron, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth

The RAAF and Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) joined forces once again to conduct Exercise Elangaroo 24 at RMAF Butterworth

Aircraftman Nicholas Thorpe, of 25 Squadron, and Squadron Leader James Wheeler, of 3 Squadron, speak with Eliwana mine staff during a visit to Eliwana airport in the Pilbara region of WA. Story and photos by Stephanie Hallen.

News Royal Australian Air Force

F-35s visit Pilbara

02/10/202405/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1076 Views 1 Comment F-35A Lightning II, No. 25 Squadron, No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Pearce

You wouldn’t typically expect to see F-35A Lightning II aircraft flying around in some of the most remote parts of

Indonesian military personnel and members of the public watch as an RAAF F-35A Lightning II starts up for a flying display at the Bali International Air Show. Story. y Squadron Leader Eamon Hamilton. Photo supplied by Indonesian Air Force Information Service.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF flies into Bali to show off

25/09/202405/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1058 Views 0 Comments Air Show, F-35A Lightning II, Indonesian Air Force, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit

Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs made their first appearance in an overseas air show in Bali from September

An aviator marshalls a 75 Squadron F-35A Lightning II at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Photos by Sergeant Hayden Young.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

Strengthening international ties on Exercise Red Flag

23/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1409 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, Exercise Red Flag, F-35A Lightning II, No. 75 Squadron, US Air Force

RAAF aircraft and personnel are in Alaska for Exercise Red Flag, a large-scale air-combat exercise hosted by the United States

Angus, from the Starlight Children’s Foundation, tries on an F-35A helmet with the help of Corporal Daniel Lake, a 3 Squadron life support fitter, at the Pitch Black open day at RAAF Base Darwin. Story by Flying Officer Jamie Wallace. Photos by Sergeant David Gibbs.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF helps make a wish come true

02/08/202406/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1148 Views 0 Comments Community Engagement, Exercise Pitch Black, F-35A Lightning II, No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Darwin, Starlight Children’s Foundation

The Royal Australian Air Force has teamed up with international partners and the Starlight Children’s Foundation to grant the wish

A US Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214 is refuelled by a RAAF 33 Squadron KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft over the Pacific ocean in transit to Australia. Photo: USMC Corporal Nicholas Johnson

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF and USMC F-35s train together in NT

12/07/202414/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 4657 Views 0 Comments 33 Squadron, Exercise Magpie Lightning, F-35A Lightning II, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 3 Squadron, No. 75 Squadron, RAAF Amberley, RAAF Tindal, USMC

The skies over the Northern Territory came alive with different variants of the F-35 Lightning II in May and June

Royal Air Force Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton (L) and Royal Australian Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Robert Chipman shake hands at the 80 Squadron re-formation ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rachael Blake. Photos by USAF Samuel King Jr.

News Royal Australian Air Force UK USA

Two air forces re-form an 80 Squadron together

03/05/202404/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1760 Views 0 Comments Chief of Air Force, F-35A Lightning II, No. 80 Squadron, RAF, US Air Force

In a significant move for allied air capability, the Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Air Force have re-formed their

Leading Aircraftwoman Indianna Biles and Leading Aircraftwoman Olivia Jacobs conduct a stocktake prior to sealing the container holding the spares pack, ready for transportation to RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory.

News Royal Australian Air Force

F-35A readiness boosted with deployed spares pack

20/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2564 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II

A team of aviators have successfully built a second deployed spares pack for the F-35A Lightning II, enhancing supply-chain resilience

A RAAF F-35A Lightning II pilot gives the thumbs up during Exercise Red Flag Nellis in Nevada, US. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Burnet.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

F-35s fly back from Nevada

02/02/202403/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1843 Views 0 Comments Exercise Red Flag, F-35A Lightning II, No. 114MRCU, No. 3 Squadron, RAF, US Air Force

Exercise Red Flag Nellis 24-1 has concluded after three weeks of high-intensity air combat training at Nevada and airspace in

One of the first two Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning Joint Strike Fighters flies overhead RAAF Base Williamtown on delivery day. Photo by Brian Hartigan.

News Royal Australian Air Force Sovereign industry

Newcastle set to become regional F-35 servicing hub

01/01/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2781 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II

Hunter Region’s future as the Indo-Pacific hub for sustainment of F-35 Lightning II aircraft has been secured after the Australian

An F-35A Lightning II arriving at RAAF Base Townsville ready to participate in Exercise High Sierra. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photo by Corporal Brett Sherriff.

News Royal Australian Air Force

New pilots challenged on High Sierra

05/12/202311/12/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1211 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, Exercise High Sierra, F-35A Lightning II, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Townsville, RAAF Williamtown

RAAF personnel and aircraft were deployed to RAAF Base Townsville to conduct the final phase of Exercise High Sierra at

RAAF Sergeants Connor O'Neill and Ryan Pedder, 7th and 8th from left, facilitated the Building Blokes program for aviators from 2 Operational Conversion Unit at RAAF Base Williamtown. Story and photo by Corporal Melina Young.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Vulnerability takes courage

11/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 630 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Williamtown, Top Blokes Foundation, World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day As an awkwardly tall and skinny teenager, Sergeant Ryan Pedder struggled with his masculinity. CAPTION: RAAF

Two RAAF F-35A Lightning II's from 75 Squadron fly with two TNI-AU F-16 Fighting Falcons during Exercise Elang Ausindo 2023. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photos by Corporal Kieren Whiteley.

Asia News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

RAAF F-35s in Indonesia

06/10/202308/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2533 Views 0 Comments Exercise Elang Ausindo, F-16, F-35A Lightning II, No. 75 Squadron, TNI-AU

RAAF aircrew have built confidence sharing knowledge and developing tactics with their Indonesian counterparts. CAPTION: Two RAAF F-35A Lightning II’s from

RAAF F-35A Lightning II aircraft from 75 Squadron transit to Sam Ratulangi Air Force Base, Manado, during Exercise Elang Ausindo 2023. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photos by Corporal Kieren Whiteley.

Asia News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Air-combat first with Indonesia

22/09/202328/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2664 Views 0 Comments Exercise Elang Ausindo, F-35A Lightning II, Indonesia, No. 75 Squadron, RAAF Tindal, TNI-AU

Set in the tropical jungle of North Sulawesi in Indonesia, Exercise Elang Ausindo kicked off on September 18 between 75

Pilot Officer Ema Kobayakawa talks with Japan Air Self-Defense Force personnel at RAAF Base Tindal, NT. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rachael Blake. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

ADF People

Breaking down language barriers

19/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 914 Views 0 Comments air traffic control, F-35A Lightning II, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, No. 452 Squadron, RAAF Tindal

An historic visit by Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-35A Lightning IIs to Australia allowed a small group of linguists

An F-35A Lightning II from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron during sunset at RAAF Base Tindal. Story by Squadron Leader Eamon Hamilton.

News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Historic Australian first for Japan’s F-35As

08/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2529 Views 1 Comment Chief of Air Force, F-35A Lightning II, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement, No. 75 Squadron, RAAF Tindal

A warm Northern Territory welcome greeted the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) on the first international deployment of its F-35A

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